
Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) is produced from non-hazardous waste sources, including combustible components from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) such as plastics, paper, wood, and textiles. SRF is a highly refined fuel with low moisture content and an energy content of about two-thirds that of coal. While SRF is used in incineration plants for energy recovery, its plastic content is a key concern. Determining the plastic composition within SRF is essential for understanding its environmental impact and recycling potential. Various analytical methods, such as fusion melt incineration and total digestion, are employed to identify the plastic and mineral content in SRF ash. These techniques help evaluate the recyclability and energy generation potential of SRF, making it a valuable alternative to fossil fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Content | Fibres and fragments of plastics |
| Ash Content | CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, SO3, K2O, Na2O, P2O5, TiO2, Cl, ZnO |
| Moisture Content | Low |
| Energy Content | Two-thirds that of coal |
| Use Cases | Energy generation, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, cement kilns, industrial processes |
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What You'll Learn
- SRF is a refined fuel with low moisture content, used as an alternative to fossil fuels
- SRF is produced from non-hazardous waste, including plastics, for incineration and energy recovery
- SRF ash contains SiO2, CaO, and Fe2O3, which are raw materials for clinker production
- SRF is used in cement kilns and industrial processes, reducing landfill waste
- SRF gasification can be modelled using the MP-PIC method to study gas and solid phases

SRF is a refined fuel with low moisture content, used as an alternative to fossil fuels
Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) is a refined fuel with low moisture content, used as an alternative to fossil fuels. SRF is produced from non-hazardous waste sources, such as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), which includes residential, industrial, commercial, construction, and demolition waste. The waste is treated through processes such as drying, screening, and shredding, resulting in fibres and fragments of materials like plastics, wood, paper, and textiles. These treated waste components have high calorific value, low moisture, and low chlorine content. SRF has an energy content of around two-thirds that of coal.
SRF is a highly refined fuel, typically produced according to the exact specifications of the companies that will use it. It can be utilised in Energy from Waste (EfW) plants, cement kilns, and other industrial processes for energy recovery and reuse. SRF is an important contributor to diverting waste from landfills, as it turns general waste into a usable fuel.
The ash content of SRF is a crucial aspect that is determined through various analytical methods. This ash content includes non-combustible inorganic components such as CaCO3, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, and others. The recycling index or R-Index is computed based on the mass fractions of elementary oxides in the dried sample. SRF has been studied for its gasification potential in a bubbling fluidized bed, with simulations showing the production of C2-C3 hydrocarbons and syngas with varying energy content.
SRF is a sustainable energy source that helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It offers an alternative for power generation and industrial processes while also contributing to waste management by utilising non-recyclable waste streams. SRF is a refined fuel product that meets specific energy content and moisture requirements, making it a viable option for companies seeking alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.
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SRF is produced from non-hazardous waste, including plastics, for incineration and energy recovery
Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) is produced from non-hazardous waste, including plastics, for incineration and energy recovery. SRF is considered a more refined fuel with a low moisture content and an energy content of around two-thirds that of coal. SRF is derived from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), which includes residential, industrial, commercial, construction, and demolition waste. The waste is screened for recyclable materials, which are removed, leaving fibres and fragments of paper, plastics, wood, and textiles with high calorific value, low moisture, and low chlorine content.
SRF is used as an alternative to fossil fuels in Energy from Waste (EfW) plants, also known as incineration plants, to generate heat and power. It can also be utilised in cement kilns and other industrial processes. SRF has a combustible fraction, which includes materials with high calorific value, and a non-combustible inorganic fraction, classified as ash content. The ash content of SRF includes components such as SiO2, CaO, Fe2O3, and CaCO3, which are required as raw materials for producing clinker and are incorporated into the clinker during the thermal recovery of SRF.
The mineral content and composition of SRF ash are determined using various analytical methods, such as ICP-OES, XRF, and ICP-MS. These methods involve incinerating samples and measuring the content of elementary oxides. SRF can be further refined through processes such as drying, screening, and shredding to meet the exact specifications of the companies that will use the fuel.
SRF plays a crucial role in diverting waste from landfills and promoting the use of more sustainable energy sources. Fuels derived from waste materials, such as SRF, can be utilised for energy generation through pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion. For example, SRF can be used in a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) gasification process to produce gas and C2-C3 hydrocarbons.
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SRF ash contains SiO2, CaO, and Fe2O3, which are raw materials for clinker production
Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF) are frequently used as a substitute for primary fuels in the clinker burning process in the cement industry. Clinker production requires raw materials such as calcium oxide (CaO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), and iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3). SRF includes non-combustible mineral components that are essential for clinker production, and these minerals are completely incorporated into the clinker during the thermal recovery process.
SRF ash, formed during the combustion of SRF, is composed of several components, including SiO2, CaO, and Fe2O3. These minerals are the main raw materials required for clinker production. The ash content in SRF can vary depending on its source, ranging from 5.7 wt% to 30.6 wt%. SRF ash, therefore, represents a valuable secondary raw material for cement clinker manufacturing.
The use of SRF in cement plants is considered energy recovery, but the incorporation of mineral constituents into the clinker indicates that a portion of SRF is also recycled as a material. This process is referred to as "co-processing". SRF ash provides a significant proportion of the raw materials needed for clinker production, and its use contributes to higher recycling rates, aligning with the European Union's specifications.
Determining the exact amount of SRF utilised as raw material is challenging due to limited and inconsistent data in the literature. However, various analytical methods, such as fusion melt incineration and ICP-OES/ICP-MS measurements, are employed to identify the mineral content and composition of SRF ash. These methods help in calculating the recycling index (R-Index) of SRF, which represents the recyclable fraction of SRF contributing to clinker production.
In summary, SRF ash contains SiO2, CaO, and Fe2O3, which are essential raw materials for clinker production. The utilisation of SRF in the cement industry not only provides energy recovery but also contributes to material recycling, making it a valuable and sustainable practice.
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SRF is used in cement kilns and industrial processes, reducing landfill waste
Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF) are used in cement kilns and industrial processes, reducing landfill waste. SRF is derived from the non-hazardous fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), which is generated from households, industrial facilities, and commercial sites. This waste is processed into a fuel that can substitute fossil fuels in industrial facilities, providing both economic and environmental value.
The use of SRF in cement kilns offers several benefits. Firstly, it reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills, contributing to waste management and environmental sustainability. Secondly, SRF serves as a secondary raw material for cement clinker manufacturing. Clinker production requires raw materials such as calcium oxide (CaO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3). These components are present in the ash residue of SRF, making it a suitable feedstock for clinker production.
The utilization of SRF in cement kilns also leads to energy recovery. The high-temperature combustion of SRF provides thermal energy required for clinker production, replacing the need for fossil fuels. This results in reduced fossil fuel consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the co-incineration of SRF with other refuse-derived fuels (RDF) further enhances energy recovery and contributes to higher recycling rates, as advocated by the European Union.
While SRF usage in cement kilns offers promising results, there are challenges to its implementation. The physical and chemical heterogeneity of SRF can pose technical difficulties. Furthermore, the lack of standardized data and analytical methods for assessing the composition of SRF ashes may hinder the optimization of the process. Nevertheless, the cement industry is committed to improving co-processing technologies to address the increasing solid waste generation and environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel usage.
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SRF gasification can be modelled using the MP-PIC method to study gas and solid phases
Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF) are derived from waste materials, such as municipal solid waste combustible fractions, and can be used for energy generation through pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion. Gasification is the thermochemical conversion of solid fuel into gases, such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen.
SRF gasification can be modelled using the three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, which includes the study of gas and solid phases. The gas phase is described using Large Eddy Simulation (LES), while the solid phase is regarded as Lagrangian computational particles or described using the Multiphase Particle-In-Cell (MP-PIC) method. The MP-PIC method is a reactive model built on the open-source software package OpenFOAM, where the gas phase is solved under the Eulerian frame.
The CFD model provides insights into the general flow patterns, gas-solid fluxes, syngas composition distribution, and the impact of operating parameters on gasification performance. It also allows for the analysis of heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions, with the former occurring mainly at the bed surface and the latter above it. The MP-PIC method is particularly useful for studying biomass combustion and gasification in fluidized bed furnaces.
The use of CFD modelling in SRF gasification offers advantages such as the ability to optimize gasifier design and operation with minimal temporal and financial costs. It also contributes to the development of effective technologies for a wide range of applications. Overall, the MP-PIC method within the CFD model is a valuable tool for studying the gas and solid phases during SRF gasification, providing a detailed understanding of the underlying processes and interactions.
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Frequently asked questions
SRF stands for Solid Recovered Fuel. It is produced from non-hazardous waste sources for use in incineration plants or co-incineration facilities for energy recovery and reuse.
SRF is made from combustible components obtained from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) that are treated to leave fibres and fragments of paper, plastics, wood and textiles that have high calorific value, low moisture and low chlorine content.
SRF can play an important part in diverting waste from landfill, by turning general waste into a fuel that can be used in industrial processes and at Energy from Waste plants to generate heat and power.
The combustible components obtained from MSW are treated through drying, screening and shredding to leave fibres and fragments of paper, plastics, wood and textiles.

























