SBIR-STTR Award

The chlorine content of carbonaceous char derived from the pyrolytic conversion of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is higher than that of conventional coal. The proposed research will determine if this chlorine can be "captured" during the pyrolytic conversion by the addition of CA(OH)2 or NACH, and the extent to which it can be "captured". The research will identify the relationship between the amount of chlorine removal and: 1) the alkali/FQF ratio, 2) quantity added and method of distributing the alkali, and 3) the composition of the FMF. The results of Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of removing chlorine during pyrolysis of RDF in the laboratory. The results of Phase II will demonstrate the feasibility of chlorine removal using a twin screw prototype extruder of the type pro for commercial application. From this will come sufficient data to engineer the removal of chlorine in the commercial scale pyrolysis unit. The successful completion of this research will facilitate the deployment of an enviromentally superior waste disposal system oosting less than half as much as mass incineration alternatives.