Refuse-Derived Fuel Research Paper

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Refuse-Derived Fuel
Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), known to some as Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), is the conversion of solid combustible into energy. The combustible waste consists mainly of municipal waste, eg. plastic, and biodegradable materials such as vegetable peels. Combustion occurs easily with carbon dense materials.

RDF goes through a process of refining before actual use. The process is best described in listed form:
1. Waste input: refuse placed in hopper
2. Classification/Separation: removes foreign and noncombustible waste
3. Primary crushing/shredding: shreds the combustible waste
4. Drying: increases storage capabilities once dried to correct levels
5. Secondary crushing/grinding: reduces volume by grinding into smaller particles …show more content…

Nuclear Energy
When an atom is split in two, fission, a lot of energy is released. If properly arranged in a machine, fission can cause a chain reaction of atoms splitting. This is done in what is called a nuclear reactor. The reactor converts nuclear energy into electricity.

The reactors consist of 5 main components: the core, coolant, turbine, containment and cooling towers. The core contains the nuclear fuel (generates all heat), control systems, low-enriched uranium and structural materials. The coolant, which is generally water or helium, passes through the core transferring the heat to the turbine. The turbine then converts the heat into electricity. The containment, which separates the structure from the environment, keeps the reactor from breaching. The law of thermodynamics restricts the excess heat from being converted into energy. They are the hyperbolic ions of nuclear energy. The towers only emit clean water …show more content…

The advantages of Nuclear energy are:
• Its clean – fission does not make CO2
• 24 hour dependable – 1 load in a reactor lasts ±18 months
• Its sustainable – enough nuclear fuel to power the earth for many years to come
• Safe disposal of nuclear weapons – the reactors peacefully destroy the warheads
The disadvantages of Nuclear energy are:
• Waste – products of fission contain radiation which needs to be isolated from the

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