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An investigation on mechanical property of MSW-derived fuel pellet produced from hydrothermal treatment

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Abstract

This paper presents a study on the effect of hydrothermal treatment (HTT) on municipal solid waste (MSW) and mechanical property of fuel pellet. The lab-scale HTT was conducted at the condition of 180–240 °C and 30–90 min. Results showed that the HTT could improve fuel property of MSW including heating value, dewatering and drying performance. The fuel pellet was produced at three different diameters (4, 6, and 8 mm). Tests of mechanical property and water adsorption were performed. Results showed that the fuel pellet was able to withstand the axial load of 19–54 N and the radial load of 72–130 N. The 8-mm pellet exhibited lowest Young’s modulus (18.26 MPa) indicating flexibility and ductility. Durability of the fuel pellet was high (91–94%) while the Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) was (57–76) higher than that of the biomass pellet (18–22) and the subbituminous coal (46–49) indicating the ease of grinding. The equilibrium moisture content of the fuel pellet was 5–6%. The small fuel pellet reached adsorption equilibrium faster than the large one. In sum, the fuel pellet produced from HTT showed good fuel property as well as mechanical property for transportation and utilization.

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Acknowledgements

This research has received funding from the Thailand Research Fund (MRG5980058). Authors would like to thank Dr. Kunio Yoshikawa and Dr. Wichai Siwakosit for essential advice and Dr. Bayu Indrawan, Center of Waste Management of Indonesia, for substantial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Phatavee Phasee & Chinnathan Areeprasert

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  1. Phatavee Phasee
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Correspondence to Chinnathan Areeprasert.

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Phasee, P., Areeprasert, C. An investigation on mechanical property of MSW-derived fuel pellet produced from hydrothermal treatment. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 20, 2028–2040 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-018-0752-3

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