Production of a hard fuel from e.g. household wastes

Before or after comminution (3), but before pressing (21), the waste is introduced into a reactor (7), where free water is removed. Additives are mixed in, in accordance with measured leading parameters of the waste. This binds harmful substances existing or arising in the waste. An Independent claim is included for the hard fuel so produced. Preferred features: Before introduction into the reactor, the waste is pre-sorted according to type or composition. It is alternatively supplied to the reactors from storage silos (4, 5, 6). At least one leading parameter is measured at or from one or more of: a point after comminution; in the pre-sorting silos, in the gas efflux from the reactor, in the granulate intermediate storage following reaction, in the gas efflux of the press (21) and/or from hard fuel samples. The parameter is chloride or an associated parameter, emphasis being on ease of measurement. Wastes in the reactor comprise combustibles such as coal, acid-binding additives such as chalk and/or an aluminum oxide catalyst. Heat and/or pressure reduction, removes free water. A heated recirculated gas, e.g. a noble gas or carbon dioxide removes the water. It passes through a condenser, gas treatment equipment and a filter. The filter contains zeolite. The catalyst contains bentonite and as appropriate, a substrate and catalyst accelerator. The gas is treated oxidatively, e.g. by ozone or UV radiation. Sludge and residue treatment, and processing of various wastes is further elaborated. The hard fuel pellets produced, are aged for a few hours or days in storage, following pressing.