A comparative analysis of alternative fuels for Thailand’s palm oil industry: A case study for refuse-derived fuels.

This study summarizes the results of a comparative analysis for the use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) as opposed to the use of conventional fuel (CF) specifically for Thailand’s palm oil industry and the possible environmental impacts. RDF in this study was prepared by using municipal solid waste (MSW) from the Lamae Municipality in Chumphon, which has one of the largest palm oil industries in Thailand. The RDF was prepared from two main waste components, paper and low-density polyethylene plastic (LDPE) in five various ratios. The RDF and CF from the palm oil industry, such as wood and biomass, were analyzed for their heating properties and potential environmental impacts in terms of their global warming potential, acidification, and human toxicity. From this analysis it was concluded that RDF0:100 has greater value and is highly recommended to co-combust or replace CF in the palm oil industry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]