Feasibility study of municipal solid waste for producing refuse-derived fuel (RDF): A case study of Bangkok, Thailand

The objective of this study was investigated the potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce refuse-derived fuel from Bangkok municipality. The composition, heating value and proximately content were analyzed. The amount of MSW in Bangkok generated was approximately 4.86 million tons or 13,327 tons/day in 2017. About 79.5% was disposed by landfill and 20.5% was recycled. The compositions of MSW were biodegradable (49.58%), combustible (36.32%) and non-combustible ( 14.10%) wastes. Moisture content was 59.5 +/- 8.6% (as received), volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash were 72.4 +/- 3.2%, 8.2 +/- 0.5% and 19.4 +/- 0.5% (as dry basis), respectively. Heating value was 20.03 +/- 0.52 MJ/kg. These results indicated that MSW from Bangkok municipality is potential to produce the refuse-derived fuel. To reduce the environmental impacts as well as energy recovery, the MSW might be alternative sources of renewable energy in the future.