STDF: Synthetic Turf Derived Fuel
Solving the Artificial Turf Field Disposal Problem
With as many as 1000 synthetic turf fields being built each year – each with average life spans of only ten years, addressing their eventual disposal and replacement has become a crucial environmental concern. Until now the only viable option has been removal and disposal in landfills. Now Target Technologies (TTII), in conjunction with the Lafarge/Systech Environmental Corporation, are ready to apply proven – environmentally sound technology in order to turn old artificial turf fields into a clean burning energy source for cement kilns.
The Creation of STDF
Currently, 13 cement plants in the US and Canada are using energy bearing waste as fuel. This waste includes used oil, whole tires, tire chips, plastic of almost all kinds, textile, carpet, paper, wood, hazardous waste solvents, agricultural by-products, glycerin from bio-diesel production, etc. In all cases, Lafarge/Systech kilns have been tested to prove there are no adverse impacts on stack emissions or the cement making process. The success of the process is based upon a number of factors:
- Cement kilns are a perfect place to combust fuel. They are incredibly hot (up to 3800 F). The fuel enters in a highly turbulent atmosphere which improves combustion efficiency, and the fuel is in contact with the high temperature for over 7 seconds (most combustion devices average less than 1 second).
- Kilns are a natural scrubber for the combustion gases. The gas runs counter current to the in-flow of the main ingredient of cement - limestone (limestone is the most commonly used chemical in stack scrubbing systems).
- Kilns have excellent stack dust control systems such as bag houses and ESPs (electro-static precipitators) to remove dust so it can be re-used in the cement making process.
- Kilns are not an incinerator. Such devices burn waste solely for the purpose of disposal. Lafarge/Systech kilns are making a product and therefore have much more rigorous operating procedures, quality control, and mechanisms to ensure consistent and proper burning so it does not impact the quality of the product.
Even in the most severe case (a kiln using 100% waste fuel that has been spiked with much higher levels of contaminants), the Lafarge/Systech process has been shown to produce no significant increase in the emission of dangerous toxins and carcinogens. The same is true for sulfur and nitrogen compounds, heavy metals, dust particles, and a huge array of chemical species (including dioxins and furans) too numerous to mention. In many cases, emissions are decreased compared to the use of coal and petroleum coke.
STDF: Solving a Problem – Providing Energy for the Future
Fuels derived from artificial/synthetic turf fields will combust as well as many other waste-stream products, making it an excellent fuel for powering cement kilns. With adherence to strict, environmental regulations, now there is a viable solution to the synthetic turf disposal problem. Initially, 3 Lafarge/Systech facilities will be capable of using STDF in their kilns; a 4th (in Kansas City, MO) will be added late in 2007.
Watch for further details soon on this exciting new process, from Target Technologies and Lafarge/Systech.