Substitution of fossil energy in the cement industry with alternative fuels from waste in Algeria

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) represents a real problem facing the local authorities in Algeria. More than 13 million ton of municipal solid waste (MSW) is produced each year, up to 90% of the total MSW is been land filled or dumped without any pretreatment which leads to a measurable threat to the environment and public health. The gaps in current related legislation, as well as the absence of proper practices for solid waste collection and management are the key challenges making this problem highly complicated for the government bodies responsible for handling and managing solid waste in Algeria. The aim of this thesis is to examine the MSW treatment practices in Algeria in order to submit possible treatment approaches namely Co-incineration of waste in the cement industry, which could be implemented locally for a sustainable SWM. An investigation on the potential of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) production from MSW and utilization as an alternative fuel in the cement industry in the Wilaya of Blida in Algeria is the main objective of this thesis. Furthermore, different scenarios were proposed for the implementation of the different technologies of waste pre-processing and RDF production (MBT and MPS) in the Wilaya of Blida and in Algeria in general, taking into account the population, MSW generation and composition, and the availability of area. RDF drying technologies are also subject in this thesis. An experimental study was performed to determine the drying characteristics of the RDF fractions using a laboratory scale hot air dryer at a variety air temperature and a constant air flow. The drying kinetics of RDF were modelized using STATISTICA software, and the appropriate mathematical model was determined in addition to the effective diffusivity coefficient and the activation energy of the RDF. In addition, using the exhaust air from the clinker cooler for RDF drying was also suggested, and the total energy needed was determined.