Treatment and use of air pollution control residues from MSW incineration: An overview

Abstract

This work reviews strategies for the management of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) residues, particularly solid particles collected from flue gases. These tiny particles may be retained by different equipment, with or without additives (lime, activated carbon, etc.), and depending on the different possible combinations, their properties may vary. In industrial plants, the most commonly used equipment for heat recovery and the cleaning of gas emissions are: heat recovery devices (boiler, superheater and economiser); dry, semidry or wet scrubbers; electrostatic precipitators; bag filters; fabric filters, and cyclones. In accordance with the stringent regulations in force in developed countries, these residues are considered hazardous, and therefore must be treated before being disposed of in landfills. Nowadays, research is being conducted into specific applications for these residues in order to prevent landfill practices. There are basically two possible ways of handling these residues: landfill after adequate treatment or recycling as a secondary material. The different types of treatment may be grouped into three categories: separation processes, solidification/stabilization, and thermal methods. These residues generally have limited applications, mainly due to the fact that they tend to contain large quantities of soluble salts (NaCl, KCl, calcium compounds), significant amounts of toxic heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd) in forms that may easily leach out, and trace quantities of very toxic organic compounds (dioxin, furans). The most promising materials for recycling this residue are ceramics and glass-ceramic materials.The main purpose of the present paper is to review the published literature in this field. A range of studies have been summarized in a series of tables focusing upon management strategies used in various countries, waste composition, treatment processes and possible applications.

Thermodynamic stability and structures of iron chloride surfaces: A first-principles investigation

“…7 In addition, ferric chlorides are found as prominent heavy metal pollutants resulting from the incineration of municipal solid waste. 8,9 Despite the importance of ferric chlorides in industrial and environmental applications, an atomic-based description of ferric chlorides surfaces is still lacking in the literature. Previously, experimental [10][11][12][13][14][15] and theoretical studies 16 have focused on the interaction of chlorine molecules with different clean iron surfaces.…”

Aggregate material formulated with MSWI bottom ash and APC fly ash for use as secondary building material

“…Their chemical composition requires proper stabilisation to prior disposal. Stabilisation methods include separation from BA, solidification/stabilization (S/S) and thermal treatments (Quina et al, 2008). The method applied depends on the legislation in force in each country.…”

“…In Sweden, Denmark and Germany APC residues are disposed of in secure landfills after special treatment. Great efforts have been made to achieve successful ash management with beneficial use in France, Italy and The Netherlands (Quina et al, 2008). Catalan environmental legislation restricts landfill disposal of APC residues because of the leaching of the high heavy metal content (DOGC 5370), as well as their possible revalorisation (DOGC 2181).…”

Solidification/stabilisation of air pollution control residues using Portland cement: Physical properties and chloride leaching

“…Current treatment technologies for APC residues including s/s have recently been reviewed (Amutha Rani et al, 2007, Quina et al 2007. Studies included in these reviews have focused on leaching of metals and soluble salts but no comparison was made against the monolithic UK WAC limits.…”