Converting Waste Textiles into Alternative Fuel: A New Opportunity for Sustainability

With the increasing consumption of textiles worldwide, a large volume of waste textiles is discarded, putting immense pressure on the environment. Traditional methods of landfill or incineration not only waste resources but also cause ecological pollution. Therefore, effectively recycling and reusing waste textiles has become an urgent issue. In recent years, converting waste textiles into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) has emerged as a viable solution, offering new opportunities for sustainable development.

Energy Potential of Waste Textiles

Waste textiles are primarily composed of cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and other materials, all of which release significant calorific value when burned. According to estimates, waste textile fuel has a calorific value of approximately 4,300 kcal, with a volatile content of 80-90% (far higher than pulverized coal’s 27%), an ash content of only 1-6% (compared to coal’s 15%), and a moisture content of around 4% (coal is about 8%). Compared to pulverized coal, waste textile fuel features high volatility, low ash content, low moisture content, and stable calorific value, making it an ideal substitute for coal.

Additionally, every ton of waste textile fuel can reduce CO₂ emissions by 1.2-1.5 tons while preventing dioxin pollution and groundwater contamination caused by traditional incineration and landfill methods. Compared to agricultural and forestry waste, waste textile fuel has the advantages of a stable year-round supply and minimal fluctuations in calorific value, providing a reliable renewable energy source for industrial kilns, boilers, and power plants.

Process of Converting Waste Textiles into Fuel

1. Collection and Sorting: Recycling companies collect waste textiles and categorize them, removing non-textile components such as metal buttons and zippers.

2. Shredding: The textile materials can be crushed by a double shaft shredder and a single shaft fine shredder.

3. Iron Removal: The intelligent magnetic separation system captures 99% of metal impurities, preventing damage to kiln equipment.

4. Compression and Forming: The hydraulic baler produces compact fuel packages, making storage and transportation easier.

5. Combustion and Energy Recovery: The fuel pellets are fed into industrial kilns or power plants for combustion, recovering thermal or electrical energy for industrial use.

Advantages of Converting Waste Textiles into Fuel

1. Reducing Landfill Pollution: Minimizes soil and groundwater contamination caused by landfill disposal of waste textiles.

2. Lower Carbon Emissions: Compared to direct waste incineration, RDF technology optimizes the combustion process, improving energy utilization efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions.

3. Conserving Fossil Fuels: As an alternative energy source, waste textile fuel helps reduce the consumption of traditional fossil fuels like coal and oil.

4. Stable Energy Supply: Unlike agricultural and forestry waste, waste textile fuel provides a stable year-round supply with minimal calorific value fluctuations, making it suitable for industrial production.

5. Promoting Circular Economy: Encourages sustainable development in the textile industry and extends the lifecycle of textile products.

Conclusion

Transforming waste textiles into alternative fuel is an innovative way to utilize resources, reducing environmental pollution while optimizing energy structures. Through policy guidance, technological innovation, and public participation, this model will play a more significant role in future circular economies, contributing to sustainable development.