Waste to Solid Fuels
The solid wastes obtained from various sources summarized in the figure below, are subjected to different process to produce solid fuels. The illustration below describes the various pathways that can produce solid fuels. The value chain for each of these processes has also been discussed in detail in the subsequent pages.
|
|
Pellets |
Briquette |
Charcoal |
|
Calorific Value (MJ / Kg) |
17.64 |
12.5 - 20. 0 |
29.6 - 33.0 |
|
Market price ( $ / ton) |
170 - 200 |
400 - 500 |
340 - 400 |
|
Investments ($ / ton) |
89 |
23 |
51.8 |
|
Operating cost ($ / ton) |
54 |
|
75 |
|
Optimum Scale of Investment |
|
|
|
|
Profit Margins |
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|
|
|
Commissioning Lead Time |
|
|
|
|
Cost Drivers |
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|
|
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Utilization requirement |
|
|
|
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Demand- Supply |
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Note: There are many types of briquettes and pellets that can be obtained from waste, however only the most common types have been highlighted. The same solid waste can be converted in to briquettes charcoal/ biochar or pellets. Briquettes and Charcol have relatively higher market value compared to pellet. Biochar is not a fuel but it still merits the discussion here for its immense utility and market value comparable or to any solid fuel generated from waste. Biochar market seems to have huge potential because it’s an emerging industry unlike a well matured pellet industry.
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