Two

municipal solid waste (MSW) based power plants have

been in operation in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India since

October 2003. The projects produce Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)
at the rate of about 210 tons per day through pelletisation
technology and utilize it for power generation. The two power
plants commissioned in the cities of Hyderabad (6.6 MW) and
Vijayawada (6 MW) are the result of intensive efforts of the
active R&D teams of Selco International Limited (SIL) and
Shriram Energy Systems Ltd. (SESL), respectively. The projects
have been possible due to the support extended by Municipal
Corporation of Hyderabad, State Government of Andhra
Pradhesh, APTransco, the funding agencies of Department of
Science and Technology (DST), Technology Department Board,
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IRED),
Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES) and
Andhra Bank.

The metropolitan cities in India generate

MSW at the rate of 60,000-80,000 tons per
day. The energy content in the MSW is
attributed to the presence of combustible
materials found in the range of 50-60% in
the urban MSW. Pelletisation technology
requires four to five tons of MSW to
produce one ton of RDF pellets with
uniform size and varying lengths which do
not require further size reduction at the
users end. The thermal energy cost is
reduced by 35% and the boiler efficiency is
increased by 3.3% when compared to units
which utilize coal. The energy balance of
RDF plants indicates that the energy
output from RDF is 10 - 15 times greater
than the energy input required for
producing RDF pellets.

REFUSE DERIVED FUEL CONVERSION OF MSW TO POWER

REFUSE DERIVED FUEL CONVERSION OF MSW TO POWER

Method of pelletisation: The pelletisation method adopted involves solar drying of MSW, shredding, separation,
size reduction and densification followed by stabilization to produce pelletized RDF.
Characteristics of RDF pellets: The pelletisation technology yields RDF with a size of 8-10 mm dia. and 8-40
mm length, bulk density of 1.3-1.6 g/cc to 0.6-0.7 ton/cu.m, 3-8% moisture, 50-60% volatiles and 12-20% ash
content. The net calorific value of the RDF obtained by this method is 2800-3000 kcal/kg with a variation of
+15% from batch to batch. RDF pellets have low ash fusion temperature, high dust content, variable moisture,
calorific value and density, high chlorine content (leading to corrosion effects) and generate higher volumes of flue
gas as compared to conventional fossil fuels like coal.
Specially Designed Boilers: SIL has employed a specially designed boiler from M/S Wallchand Nagar Industries
Ltd., Pune, with protective measures to prevent corrosion of boiler tubes and air-cooled condensers instead of
water-cooled condensers to avoid necessity for water. SILCO has used a tail-end configured traveling grate boiler
designed by ALSTOM, Germany, with a unique flue gas path to allow for suspension firing of the fuel with autorapping mechanism, for evacuation of coal-dust. To offset the fluctuations in the calorific value of RDF and the
pressure fluctuations in the boilers (which ranges from 20-30%), certain additives such as rice-husk, ground nut shells
etc. can be added within the permissible limit of 30%. Fly ash which is produced as by-product in the process is being
used as an additive for brick manufacturing.

INDIA

Conclusion: The power plant at Hyderabad procures MSW from the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad while
the plant at Vijayawada has entered into an agreement with civic bodies at Guntur and Vijayawada for supply of
MSW. Thus, they have helped to overcome the environmental hazards associated with poor disposal of MSW and
at the same time have provided a source of renewable energy for power generation.

6.6 MW Power Plant at Hyderabad

6 MW Power Plant at Vijayawada

Process flow diagram

RDF Pellets

Source/Contact details:

INDIA

Prepared by:

Dr..G.V. Rama Krishna, Chairman & Managing Director,

Selco International Ltd., Hyderabad-500 020, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Telefax: 040-27650114 Email: selco@satyam.net.in
Mr.K.Gopalakrishnamurthy, Managing Director, Shriram Energy Systems Ltd.,
Hyderabad-500 016, Ph: 040-23739552 Email: shriramenergy@yahoo.co.in
M. Swati (swati_eid@yahoo.co.in)

REFUSE DERIVED FUEL CONVERSION OF MSW TO POWER

REFUSE DERIVED FUEL CONVERSION OF MSW TO POWER