Results of a value adding test to produce alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR) for industrial purposes and for household energy supply with appropriate technology

Abstract

The application of “Waste-to-Energy” is hardly practiced in developing countries. However, a utilization as “Alternative Fuels and Raw materials” (AFR), for instance in cement kilns or for household energy supply (e.g. for substituting charcoal) can be a viable option. Materials that can be utilized as AFR include biodegradable waste from agriculture and forestry, but also light density packaging and various plastic materials from Municipal Solid Waste, whereas the latter are hardly utilized in most developing countries so far. The recovery and utilization of AFR can open up new sources of income and can also help to reduce pressures on the local resource base. Starting on September 3, 2008, a 100-days test to recover AFR was conducted at the central Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Calahunan in Iloilo City. The test was conducted over a period of 100 days allowing to establish “routine like working conditions” and to derive impacts and lessons learned. Within this test various options have been discussed to add more value to the recovered AFR, which could provide access to additional markets. Several value-adding processes were considered, for instance shredding and bailing of AFR, as well as pelletizing and briquetting.