Influence of Die Temperature on Unit Density and Calorific Value of Municipal Solid Waste Pellets

Abstract

The process of waste to energy can solve the problem of waste and produce energy as a by-product. The waste can be used as a raw material in pelletization process which then used as a fuel in the thermal processing technology. In the pelletization process there are operational variables that influence the characteristics and quality of the pellets. Variation of waste composition (food waste, garden waste, plastic and paper), die temperature (ambient, 60°C, 80°C, 100°C, and 150°C) and particle size (mixed, <0.5 mm, and 0.5-5 mm) are done in this study. The waste was processed through natural drying, crushing, and pelletizing using the single pellet press method. The pellet pressure and dimensions of the pellet mold are fixed at 288 MPa and 6 mm in diameter. Density measured by verniercaliper and precision analytical balance. Calorific value measured by bomb calorimeter PARR 6400. The results showed that there was a simultaneous influence of die temperature on the density and calorific value of the pellet.