Background

Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is non-hazardous industrial and packaging waste that cannot be recycled, and is comprised of plastics, paper, textiles, rubber and wood. The material is cleaned using mechanical and biological treatments, crushed, and sorted to extract the PVC and metal impurities. RDF can safely be used as an alternative fuel source instead of fossil fuels in rotary kilns at lime works and cement plants. Prior for use in the kiln the RDF is quickly checked to ensure chlorine (Cl) is below local limits to be safely burned, and other metals can be checked, such as lead (Pb), to ensure the RDF has no high levels of metals, as well. For QA/QC screening at the RDF production facility and the cement and lime plant, Rigaku offers a full line of EDXRF analyzers, ideal for the fast screening and spot checking RDF prior to use at the kiln. NEX QC+ QuantEZ is demonstrated here for the measurement of Cl, Pb and general characterization of metal content without the need for assayed reference material, making the Rigaku EDXRF tool ideal for use by non-technical personnel and lab technicians alike.