RDF Fire and Explosion Hazards at Power Plants

Janusz Januszewski and Dorota Brzezińska
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Janusz Januszewski: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Dorota Brzezińska: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: In the last 30 years Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) has grown in popularity due to its perception as a readily available, renewable and sustainable fuel for power stations. This increased use of RDF has been closely followed by an escalation of industrial fire and explosion-related incidents associated with this fuel, showing the new hazards and inherent dangers brought by it. The re-evaluation of specific fire and explosion protective measures is required. For RDF to have a continued role as an energy source in a volatile and difficult energy market, it must be perceived as: sustainable; safe; easy; cheap; and reliable. If financial losses due to business interruption occur frequently, then confidence in this area will dissolve, and while safety is paramount to prevent injury and/or death, reputational damage must also be considered to secure energy supply and maintain market confidence in RDF. This paper presents a review of previous investigations and scientific studies, which, combined with the authors’ own RDF fire and explosion investigatory experience, allows for a logical hypothesis to be made in relation to relative practices in storage and fuel route fire safety management.

Keywords: Refuse Derived Fuel; RDF; RDF fire; RDF explosion; RDF storage; RDF smoldering; RDF self-ignition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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