Waste refrigerators contain large amount of rigid polyurethane foam (PUR) insulation which possesses the characteristics of low density, large volume and difficult to decompose after being buried. The method to deal with waste polyurethane foam in the past was mainly incineration. However, according to international studies, the heat of combustion of waste refrigerator foam is similar to coal, and could therefore be converted into SRF (solid recovered fuel) and then used as alternative fuel for boilers. This project aims to develop the technology of producing SRF from waste refrigerator polyurethane foam, and also find the formula to minimize air pollution during combustion. By the end of November, project related R＆D, testing and assessment has all been completed, including: design and testing of the recycling process of waste polyurethane foam; screening and testing of three inhibitors; analysis of waste PUR foam and SRF characteristics; and the production of 1.3 tonnes of waste PUR fuel. The performance of the PUR fuel was then examined through one fluidized bed boiler test burn. The concentration of combustion pollutions measured can meet the regulatory standards. The relevant measured data can be further used as a reference for large-scale application of waste PUR fuel.

waste rigid polyurethane (PUR), resource recycling, circular economy, solid recovered fuel (SRF)