Co-Firing Performance Simulation of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) in a 400 MW Pulverized Coal Power Plant
Keywords:
co-firing, BBJP, pulverized coal boiler, Aspen Plus, emission reduction, fuel consumption, production costAbstract
This study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of co-firing Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), locally known in Indonesia as Bahan Bakar Jumputan Padat (BBJP) with coal in a 400 MW Pulverized Coal (PC) power plant located in Cilegon, Indonesia. Simulations using Aspen Plus software assessed fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, emissions, and production costs. The BBJP used has an average calorific value of 3,589 kcal/kg and sulfur content of 0.13%, compared to the coal’s 4,557 kcal/kg and 0.55% sulfur. Co-firing with up to 20% BBJP reduced coal consumption by 35.3 tons/hour while increasing overall fuel mass flow. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions decreased from 442 mg/Nm³ to approximately 370 mg/Nm³ at a 10% BBJP blend. Economically, co-firing slightly lowered total fuel costs and reduced the cost of electricity production from Rp450.90/kWh to Rp447.74/kWh. These findings indicate that BBJP co-firing is a viable strategy to reduce emissions, support Indonesia's decarbonization efforts, and improve operational cost efficiency in coal-fired power plants.
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