Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges worldwide. Landfills not only occupy valuable land but also contaminate soil and groundwater while emitting greenhouse gases. However, within this waste lies a valuable resource. By converting MSW into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) pellets, we can reduce landfill pressure, cut carbon emissions, and produce a high-calorific alternative to fossil fuels. This is not just waste management—it is a step toward a circular economy.
Key Difficulties in MSW Recycling
Processing MSW into quality RDF pellets is technically demanding due to:
- Highly heterogeneous composition (organics, plastics, metals, glass, textiles)
- High moisture content (often >50%), which lowers calorific value
- Contaminants and bulky items that can damage equipment
- Need for uniform particle size to ensure efficient pelletizing
These challenges require robust, well-engineered equipment and an intelligent process design.
GEP ECOTECH's Solution: Main Equipment for a 100 TPD RDF Pelletizing Line
So, what are the main equipment components in a 100 TPD (8-hour shift) MSW-to-RDF pellet production line? Below we focus on the five most critical machines.
Core Equipment in Detail
| Core Equipment | Key Features & Specifications | Role in the Line |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Twin‑Shaft Shredder | – High‑torque, low‑speed design – Capacity: 10–15 TPH – Output size: 100–300 mm – NiCrMo alloy cutters (imported from Europe) – Dual motors (90–180 kW total) with planetary reducers | Bag breaking and primary size reduction. Turning raw MSW into a coarse, free‑flowing stream for further processing. |
| Trommel Screen | – Rotary drum (1.5–2.0 m in diameter, 6–8 m in length) – Screen openings: 50–100 mm – Fully sealed with dust/deodorization ports – Rolling conveying—preventing clogging, low wear | Separating organic fines (for biodrying) from oversize RDF fraction. Boosting calorific value by removing inerts and moisture. |
| Air Classifier (Wind Sifter) | – Controllable airflow from centrifugal fan – Fan power: 25–40 kW – Separation efficiency: 70–90% – Capacity: 5–10 TPH | Separating light combustibles (plastics, paper, films) from heavy inerts (glass, stones, metals, wet organics). Delivering a clean, high‑calorific fraction. |
| Secondary Single‑Shaft Fine Shredder | – Hydraulic pusher for continuous feeding – Output size: Around 50 mm (adjustable screen) – Motor power: 90–200 kW – One‑key hydraulic screen opening for easy maintenance | Homogenizing RDF to a uniform, free‑flowing fluff. Essential preparation for stable pelletizing. |
| RDF Pellet Mill | – Ring‑die with multiple molds and pressure rollers – Capacity: 2–5 TPH – Main power: 185–250 kW – Pellet density: 600–1200 kg/m³ – Calorific value: 3,500–5,500 kcal/kg | Densifying shredded RDF into strong, high‑density fuel pellets. Final product is easy to transport, store, and burn in cement kilns, power plants, or industrial boilers. |
Other equipment in the line includes chain conveyor for evenly and continuous feeding, belt conveyor for material transportation, manual sorting platform for removal of large metals, glass, and hazardous waste (B3 / hazardous materials), magnetic separator for ferrous metals removal, and PLC intelligent control system for centralized monitoring and protection—all of the above equipment contributes to a successful MSW-to-RDF pellet plant.
Proven Success—55,000 Tons/Year MSW to RDF Project in the Middle East
GEP ECOTECH's solutions are proven worldwide. A standout example is our RDF project with an annual output of 55,000 tons in the Middle East. This facility processes municipal solid waste into high-quality RDF for cement kilns. Despite challenging feedstock with high moisture and contaminants, the RDF pelletizing line delivers stable operation, low maintenance, and consistent pellet quality.
Build Your RDF Line with GEP ECOTECH
GEP ECOTECH has over a decade of experience in solid waste recycling. With a 66,000㎡ intelligent manufacturing base, 150+ national patents, and 500+ successful projects in more than 100 countries, we offer a full range of MSW resourceization equipment tailored to different customer needs.
If you are planning an MSW recycling or RDF production facility, GEP ECOTECH offers complete solutions—from single machine to the whole RDF production line. Our team provides process design, equipment manufacturing, installation guidance, and after-sales support.
Contact GEP ECOTECH today to turn your waste into wealth.
