Tire Derived Fuel

A major use for scrap tires is fuel. Tire-derived-fuel (TDF) is a fuel derived from scrap tires of all kinds. This may include whole tire or tires processed into uniform, flowable pieces that satisfy the specifications of the end-user. Scrap tires are used as fuel either shredded or whole depending on the type of combustion unit.

TDF is the oldest and most developed market for scrap tires in the U.S. Industrial facilities across the country, including cement kilns, pulp and paper mills, and electric utilities use TDF as a supplemental fuel to increase boiler efficiency, decrease air emissions, and lower costs. More than 52% of the 300 million scrap tires generated annually are consumed as TDF in these facilities, providing a cleaner and more economical alternative to traditional fuels.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) described TDF as a high Btu-value fuel with lower emissions, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, than comparable traditional fuels, in a 2009 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. In earlier studies, EPA concluded,“With proper emission controls, burning tires for their fuel energy can be an environmentally sound method of disposing a difficult waste.”

Scrap tires make an excellent fuel because of their high heat value. Each tire has energy potential. The heating value of an average size passenger tire is between 13,000 and 15,000 Btu/lb., which compares with about 10,000 to 12,000Btu/lb. for coal. The primary reason for using tire fuels is to save fuel costs. Further, they are compact, have a consistent composition and low moisture content-all benefits to the fuel user. Another major reason for combusting tires as fuel is to decrease the number of scrap tires disposed in landfills or stockpiles.

Nationally, scrap tires represent a potential energy source of 1.01 quadrillion Btu per year based on a discard rate of 300 million tires per year each weighing an average 22.5 lbs with 15,000 Btu per pound. This is equivalent to 17 million barrels of crude oil and represents about 0.24 percent of the U.S. energy needs. Given this energy value, it is clear that scrap tires compete with comparable traditional fuels including coal, petroleum coke, and wood wastes.

We supply TDF to some of the largest users in the world. Contact us if you are looking for Tire Derived Fuel.

Contact us about Tire Derived Fuel

We serve drivers in Burnet, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Robstown, Alice, Kingsville , Falfurrias, George West, Three Rivers, Kenedy, Goliad, Beeville, Rockport, Victoria, Cuero, Gonzales, Freer, Hebbronville, El Campo, Karnes City and the entire South Texas Region.