Development and Performance Evaluation of a Micro-Scale RDF Briquette–Fueled Steam Power Prototype

Authors

  • Syarifah SMAN 1 Kota Depok Indonesia
  • Latricia Aina Hidayat SMAN 1 Kota Depok Indonesia
  • Rini Yunita Sari SMAN 1 Kota Depok Indonesia
  • Jerry Maratis Universitas Esa Unggul Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9966-2738
  • Andri Krisna Hidayat Sadiva Group Indonesia
  • Pawenary Universitas Esa Unggul Indonesia
  • Hendri Institut Teknologi PLN Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26877/asset.v8i2.3007

Keywords:

refuse-derived fuel (RDF), briquettes, micro-scale steam turbine, waste-to-energy, prototype power generation

Abstract

Plastic waste is a major environmental problem in Indonesia due to its non-biodegradable nature. One innovative solution is converting waste into energy using Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) briquettes for small-scale power generation. This research designed and tested an RDF-based micro power plant prototype using briquettes composed of 80% dry organic biomass and 20% plastic for safe and stable combustion. The prototype consists of a combustion chamber, heat exchanger, impulse-type micro steam turbine driven by low-pressure steam, and a 12V low-speed DC generator. Performance was evaluated through temperature, voltage, current, power output, and efficiency measurements. The highest performance was achieved using 500 g of RDF, producing 0.02 A, 0.7 V, and 0.014 W at 135°C over 20 minutes, with an efficiency of 2.69×10⁻⁶%. Although efficiency was very low, the study demonstrates proof-of-concept feasibility and provides a baseline for future optimization of thermal and energy conversion efficiency.

Author Biographies

  • Syarifah, SMAN 1 Kota Depok

    SMAN 1 Kota Depok, Jl. Nusantara Raya 317, Kota Depok, West Java, Indonesia

  • Latricia Aina Hidayat, SMAN 1 Kota Depok

    SMAN 1 Kota Depok, Jl. Nusantara Raya 317, Kota Depok, West Java, Indonesia

  • Rini Yunita Sari, SMAN 1 Kota Depok

    SMAN 1 Kota Depok, Jl. Nusantara Raya 317, Kota Depok, West Java, Indonesia

  • Jerry Maratis, Universitas Esa Unggul

    Faculty of Physiotherapy, Universitas Esa Unggul, Jl. Arjuna Utara No.9, Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta, Indonesia

  • Andri Krisna Hidayat, Sadiva Group

    Sadiva Group, Jakarta, Indonesia

  • Pawenary, Universitas Esa Unggul

    Faculty of Management, Universitas Esa Unggul, Jl. Arjuna Utara No.9, Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta, Indonesia

  • Hendri, Institut Teknologi PLN

    Faculty of Energy Technology and Business, Institut Teknologi PLN, Jl. Outer Ring Road, Jakarta, Indonesia

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Published

2026-04-12

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026): February-April

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