Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) has become a cornerstone technology in the shift towards sustainable, circular waste management. Rather than sending combustible waste to landfill, RDF processing captures the energy value locked inside everyday rubbish and converts it into a usable fuel product. This article breaks down the technical data sheet for Organics Ltd’s RDF Type 4 — a finely processed powder fuel designed for demanding industrial combustion applications.
What Is Refuse Derived Fuel?
RDF is produced from the combustible fraction of municipal and commercial waste streams — materials such as non-recyclable plastics (excluding PVC), paper, cardboard, and labels. Through a series of mechanical processing steps, these materials are separated from recyclables, inert waste, and moisture, then shredded and refined into a consistent, energy-dense fuel.
The processing chain typically includes:
- Screening – separating waste by particle size
- Air classification – using airflow to separate light combustible material from heavier, non-combustible fractions
- Ballistic separation – mechanically sorting materials by shape, density, and elasticity
- Particle-size reduction – shredding and grinding to achieve the required fuel specification
The result is a homogenous fuel that can substitute fossil fuels such as coal or petroleum coke in a variety of industrial combustion processes.
Understanding RDF Classification: Why “Type 4” Matters
The ASTM E856-83 (2006) standard classifies RDF into seven distinct categories based on processing method and particle size. Organics’ product covered in this data sheet is defined as Type 4, also known as Powder RDF.
Type 4 RDF is processed into a fine powder form, with 95% by weight passing through a 10-mesh screen (2.0 mm square aperture).
This fine particle size makes Type 4 RDF particularly suitable for combustion systems that require rapid, efficient burn characteristics, such as cement kiln co-firing or pulverised fuel injection systems.
Key Physical and Performance Parameters
The table below summarises the physical characteristics of Organics’ RDF Type 4 product, as received (ARB — As Received Basis):
| Parameter | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calorific value (ARB) | MJ/kg | 15 – 20 |
| Calorific value (ARB) | kcal/kg | 3,500 – 5,000 |
| Moisture content | % | < 15 |
| Particle size (95%) | mm | 2.0 |
| Maximum particle size | mm | 2.0 – 2.5 |
| Bulk density | kg/m³ | 400 – 800 |
With a calorific value ranging from 15 to 20 MJ/kg, RDF Type 4 delivers meaningful energy density comparable to lower-grade coals, while diverting waste from landfill.
Chemical Composition and Contaminant Limits
Because RDF is destined for combustion — often in facilities with strict emissions permits — chemical composition is tightly monitored. The data sheet lists indicative constituent parameters, which represent typical limits only and are not representative of any specific batch, cargo, or shipment. Every batch is independently tested and certified to meet the requirements of the specific application it is destined for.
Major Elemental Constituents
| Parameter | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calorific value (ARB) | MJ/kg | 15.0 |
| Ash content | % | 5 |
| Chlorine (Cl) | % | 0.5 |
| Sulphur (S) | % | 0.4 |
| Bromine (Br) | % | 0.01 |
| Nitrogen (N) | % | 0.7 |
| Fluorine (F) | % | 0.1 |
Trace Metal Content
| Parameter | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Beryllium (Be) | mg/kg | 1 |
| Mercury/Titanium (Hg/Ti) | mg/kg | 2 |
| Arsenic, Selenium (Te), Antimony (As, Se, Sb) | mg/kg | 10 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | mg/kg | 10 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | mg/kg | 20 |
| Cobalt, Copper, Manganese, Tin (Co, Cu, Mn, Sn) | mg/kg | 200 |
| Vanadium (V) | mg/kg | 200 |
| Chromium (Cr) | mg/kg | 200 |
| Lead (Pb) | mg/kg | 200 |
| Nickel (Ni) | mg/kg | 200 |
| Zinc (Zn) | mg/kg | 200 |
These figures give downstream users — such as cement plant operators — the assurance needed to model emissions and ensure compliance with environmental permitting before RDF is introduced into a combustion process.
Applications: Where Is RDF Type 4 Used?
Thanks to its fine particle size and controlled chemical profile, RDF Type 4 is well suited to a range of industrial thermal processes, including:
- Cement plants – as a partial substitute for coal or petcoke in kiln firing
- Lime plants – supporting the calcination process
- Coal-fired power plants – co-firing to reduce fossil fuel consumption
- Steel furnaces – used as a reducing agent
Using RDF in these settings not only reduces reliance on virgin fossil fuels but also helps industrial operators lower their net carbon footprint and diverts waste that would otherwise be landfilled. This aligns closely with circular economy principles increasingly mandated across the waste management sector.
Quality Assurance
Organics Ltd operates under internationally recognised quality and environmental management frameworks, holding both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification. This ensures that production processes are consistent, traceable, and subject to continuous environmental improvement — important assurances for any operator sourcing alternative fuels at scale.
Every batch of RDF is tested and certified individually according to the specific requirements of its end-use application — the figures in this data sheet represent typical, indicative values only.
Key Takeaways
- RDF Type 4 is a powder-form refuse derived fuel, with 95% of material passing a 2.0 mm screen, as classified under ASTM E856-83 (2006).
- It offers a calorific value of 15–20 MJ/kg (3,500–5,000 kcal/kg), with moisture content kept below 15%.
- Bulk density ranges from 400 to 800 kg/m³, and chemical composition (ash, chlorine, sulphur, and trace metals) is tightly controlled and independently certified per batch.
- Typical applications include cement and lime kilns, coal-fired power plants, and steel furnaces, where RDF displaces fossil fuel use.
- Parameters can be tailored to specific customer and application requirements.
Get in Touch
If you’re evaluating alternative fuel options for your combustion process or want to discuss how RDF Type 4 could fit into your plant’s fuel mix, get in touch with our team. We’re happy to provide batch-specific certification data and discuss how our RDF products can support your sustainability and cost-efficiency goals.