This study determined the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/ dibenzo- furans (PCDD/Fs) and 22 metals contents in ash in the super heater (SH), economizer (EC), semi-dryer absorber (SDA), fabric filter (FF), fly ash pit (FAP) and bottom residue (BR) in a municipal solid waste incinerator (KTMSWI). Experimental results showed that average PCDD/FS contents in ash samples from the SH, EC, SDA, FF, FAP and BR were 0.102, 0.788, 0.210, 1.95, 2.04 and 0.0218 ng I-TEQ /g, respectively. PCDD/Fs content was very low in the SH and BR due to high temperatures (around 461¢XC in the SH and 914¢XC in combustion chamber). Conversely, total PCDD/Fs content was significantly high in ash samples from the EC (around 340¢XC), mainly because the temperature is within the favorable range of 250-400¢XC for PCDD/FS formation due to de nova reformation mechanisms. Although the SDA operated at 245¢XC, the PCDD/FS content decreased very significantly, mainly because the temperature was relatively low and because calcium carbonate was introduced into flue gases to dechlorinate and dilute chlorine-containing species. PCDD/Fs were captured by the active carbon in the FF. Furthermore, the duration that fly ash remained in the FF was longer than that for other incinerator units, and thus causing an increasing trend of PCDD/Fs level downstream (except the SDA). Total PCDD/Fs emission factors (£gg /ton-waste; £gg I-TEQ /ton-waste) in ash samples from different units were: SH (42.3; 0.846), EC (326; 6.12 ), SDA (58.1; 1.10), FF (1540; 61.3), FAP (2950; 107) and BR (537; 4.31). Most PCDD/Fs in ash were contributed by the FF (about 56%), and the generation of PCDD/Fs in ash was significant (about 35%) during the transfer process from different units to the FAP. A strong and positive correlation in a logarithmic form existed between PCDD/Fs and chlorine (Cl-) contents in ash. The results showed that principal metals in the incinerator ash were Al, Fe, Zn, Ba, Pb and Cu. On average, these six metals accounted for 96.6%, 96.8%, 97.0%, 94.2% and 96.7% of the total metals in SH, EC, SDA, FF and BR ash, respectively. The emission factors of individual metals from different units were obtained. Volatile metals, such as Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg and Pb, were mostly in fly ash, while lithophilic metals, such as Al, Fe, Ti, V, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Sr, Mo, Ag, Ba and Cr+6 were mainly in bottom ash. Distribution ratios for total metals in SH, EC, SDA, FF and BR ash were 4.87%, 4.26%, 2.89%, 8.17% and 79.81%, respectively. That is, about 20.2% of total metals were in fly ash and most metals (about 79.8%) were in bottom ash. The Pb content in EC ash and Hg content in FF ash were between alarm contents and maximum legal limits, while Cd and Pb contents in FF ash exceeded the maximum legal limits. The existing transportation system for transferring fly ash from different units to a fly ash pit should be modified for recycling the valuable metals. Ash with less than the alarm content for metals content, such as ash from the SH, SDA and BR, can be reused. Ash with metals exceeding the alarm contents, such as ash from the EC and FF, should be collected and transferred to a different fly ash pit for further treatment, such as metal recycling.

Thesis (M.Eng.). / Written for the Dept. of Mining, Metals and Materials Engineering. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2009/06/15). Includes bibliographical references.

In Sweden, there are limits to how much leachable substances waste must contain in order to be deposited as hazardous waste. Fly ash from waste incineration often end up over the limit, mainly due to the chloride content. Fly ash is therefore often deposited abroad. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility to handle fly ash locally. To clarify how the law is applied, environmental reports and permit documents from ten waste sites with permission to deposit fly ash were studied. In addition, a literature study was made to review the state of knowledge regarding the treatments of fly ash. The treatment methods are numerous, but are at different levels of commerciality. Among the treatments available there are both physical, chemical, biological, electrical and thermal variants. Many of the treatments (except for carbonation and microbial bioleaching) results in chloride levels below the limits. Several are however unrealistically expensive or generate wastewater with high levels of chloride that would need further treatment. Three plants out of the ten holding permits to deposit fly ash, have exemptions from the limit for chlorides. It's however difficult to see a common reasoning for allowing exemptions. In several cases there are sensitive receiving waters downstream from the landfill. One reason to be dispensed despite this sensitivity, may be the guidance that EPA issued. It is not formulated any specific concerns relating to chlorides. One handles therefore often high levels of chloride in the leachate as a dilution problem, not a leaching problem. / I Sverige finns det gränsvärden för hur mycket utlakningsbara ämnen avfall får innehålla för att kunna deponeras som farligt avfall. Flygaska från avfallsförbränning hamnar ofta över gränsen för vad som får deponeras, främst p.g.a. kloridinnehållet, och askan deponeras därför bl.a. i Norge och Tyskland. Syftet med denna studie var att utreda möjligheten att hantera flygaska lokalt. För att klargöra hur lagstiftningen tillämpas har miljörapporter och tillståndsbeslut från tio avfallsanläggningar med tillstånd att deponera flygaska studerats. Dessutom har en litteraturstudie gjorts av kunskapsläget när det gäller behandling av flygaska för att motverka lakning av klorider. Behandlingsmetoderna är många, men har kommit olika långt i att anses som kommersiella. Bland behandlingarna finns både fysiska, kemiska, biologiska, elektriska och termiska varianter. Många av behandlingarna (med undantag för karbonatisering och mikrobiell bioutlakning) gör att gränsvärden för utlakning av klorider klaras. Många av behandlingarna är dock orealistiskt dyra eller genererar avloppsvatten med höga kloridhalter. Av de tio anläggningar som innehar tillstånd till att deponera flygaska, så har tre även dispens för gränsvärdet för klorider. Utifrån den information som finns i tillståndsbesluten är det mycket svårt att se ett mönster vad gäller bedömningen av de enskilda fallen. I flera fall finns känsliga recipienter nedströms deponin. En anledning till att dispens ges trots denna känslighet kan vara den vägledning som Naturvårdsverket gett ut. Där formuleras inte någon specifik problematik kring klorider, utan andra ämnen är i fokus. Man behandlar därför ofta höga kloridhalter i lakvatten som ett utspädningsproblem, istället för ett utlakningsproblem.