The Pros and Cons of Burning Tire Derived Fuel as a Green Energy Alternative
Did you know that used car tires are the third largest source of waste in the world? Did you know that old tires cannot be broken down by natural or chemical processes? Did you know that burned tire derived fuel (TDF) is a great alternative to other known green energy sources, such as wood chips, corn cobs and sawdust? If you didn’t know any of these things about burned TDF as a green energy alternative, keep reading for details about this useful material. Reducing CO2 emissions and finding new sources of renewable energy are two big challenges we face today. Finding a new use for used tire is one way to reduce the amount of waste produced by human activities, create new jobs and lower our dependence on fossil fuels.
What Is Tire Derived Fuel?
TDF, also known as TDF, is a fuel produced from the burning of tires. It is used most commonly in power plants as a substitute for coal. It is a mixture of various hydrocarbons, primarily naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene, which are the same materials that are used to make natural gas. You can burn used tire chips as a green energy source to create steam and electricity. This is possible because used tires contain 50% carbon, which is a primary component of coal. Burning tire chips produces similar emissions to burning coal and oil, but with a few differences. The main difference between burning TDF and burning coal is the ash content. TDF has a lower ash content than coal and oil and can be used in a more diverse range of industries.
Why Burn Tires for Fuel?
Burning TDF for fuel will allow you to reuse old tires that are currently sitting in landfills. Burning old tires for fuel reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and creates electricity and steam for industries that rely on those resources. In addition to the environmental benefits of burning TDF, you can also use burned TDF as a building material in construction projects. This would allow you to recycle the used tires and create new products out of them. Using TDF for construction projects has many benefits, including reducing CO2 emissions and reducing the need for new building materials.
The Pros of Using Burned TDF as a Green Energy Alternative
Burned TDF is a renewable energy source because it is created from used tires that can be recycled, therefore reducing the amount of waste produced by human activities. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, burning TDF emits less CO2 than burning coal, oil and natural gas. Overall, TDF is a carbon-neutral energy source because the CO2 released when it is burned is the same amount that the tires captured while they were in use. Besides being a renewable source of green energy, burned TDF also has a lower ash content than coal and can be used in more industries. The lower ash content means that the industries that use TDF can produce less waste than industries that use coal. That’s because the ash from TDF can be recycled and used as a building material.
The Cons of Burning TDF as a Green Energy Alternative
While the benefits of burning TDF for fuel outweigh the disadvantages, there are a few downsides to using this green energy source. First, the tires must be processed in special facilities that can heat them to the proper temperatures. This requires extra investment, making the price of TDF more expensive than other green energy sources. The processing plant also requires a source of water and a method of disposing of the ash produced during the process. Another disadvantage of burning TDF is that some communities may not support its use and may require permits to use, store or transport it. Finally, the quality of the tires that are used to create TDF influences the quality of the fuel produced. Using tires with low quality materials, such as synthetic fibers, can reduce the efficiency of the fuel produced.
How to Incorporate Burned TDF into Your Business Activities?
Burning TDF for fuel and using it in construction projects are just two ways to incorporate this green energy source into your business activities. Burning TDF and using it in construction projects require special permits and licenses, so it’s important to research your state’s policies before beginning these activities. If you choose to provide TDF to power plants, you can purchase used tires by the truckload and deliver them to processing facilities. These facilities will pay you per truckload based on the weight of the tires. If you choose to provide TDF to industries that use it as a building material, you can sell the tires by the ton.