Agenda - Council - 07/24/1984 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page Eight I To be most cost effective the recovery of energy must have readily available o large process energy user (user of energy in..ma~, u. focuring processes rather I than simply use of energy for space heating which is seasonal). I I I I Refuse derived fuel (RDF) involves the processing of mixed municipal solid waste to produce a uniform particle size, reduce the ash content, and increase the BTU value of the waste. RDI:' may be processed to the point of coarse, fluff, or dust sized particles. Coarse RID~ is prepared by shredding of raw refuse. The shredded product will contain large quantities of grit, glass, metal and chlorinated plastics which may cause problems in handling or combustion. The coarse RDF has the same thermal value as raw solid waste. A fluff RDF can be prepared from a coarse RD~ by air classifying or screening of the coarse RDF' to remove mast of the grit, metals, glass and other such debris. A fluff RDF will have a higher BTU value and lower ash ~ontent and present fewer problems in handling and burning. POSSIBLE COUNTY ACTIONS I In reviewing the abatement alternatives there are several soft/non-technical i options which pose realistic opportunities for Anoka County and several processing options which may be realistic and which should be reviewed in greater detail. The County could now realistically implement and accomplish i meaningful waste abatement through programs of: County office paper reduction, reuse, and recycling; yard waste compastingi and technical assistance to municipalities for implementation of office paper reduction, reuse and recycling, md curbside pickup programs. Implementation of these I three abatement alternatives would with future .be. ~rnpatible any existing or waste abatement progrcrns and would in fact enhance the end result of any I I I I waste processing program. The only known barriers to implementation of these abatement strategies are those of establishing public policy, motivational farces to accomplish o 100% participation, and providing of sufficient time and support to accomplish implementation. In the area of waste processing three abatement strategies ma,/merit more detailed investigation and feasibility analysis by the County. These would include mechanical separation, incineration (combustion unit), and incineration with energy recovery (waste to energy combustion unit). The review of these types of facilities should be related to ranges of capacity needed to deal with Anoka County generated waste (350 - 500 tons per day) md facilities sized to deal with the total volume of waste being disposed of, or likely to be disposed of, within the County (I,000 to 1,600 tons per day). i Assessment of the compatibility of these abatement alternatives with facilities that may be provided in other counties is quite difficult to ascertain at this time. In general, however, the proposal is flexible enough so that I little if any incompatibility would occur. It is believed that the most likely non*Anoka facility that may have some impact on Anoka County would be a