Formation of PCDD/Fs in the Sintering Process:  Influence of the Raw Materials

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 38; no. 15; pp. 4222 - 4226
• Main Authors: Xhrouet, Céline, De Pauw, Edwin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.08.2004
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - chemistry; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Benzofurans - analysis; Benzofurans - chemistry; Coke; Coke - analysis; Comparative analysis; Conservation of Natural Resources; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; Dust - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Graphite - analysis; Graphite - chemistry; Hot Temperature; Metallurgy; Other pollution sources in industry; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analogs & derivatives; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analysis; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - chemistry; Raw materials; Recycling; Sintering; Static Electricity; Dioxin derivatives; Coke; Pollutant formation; Troposphere; Raw materials; Precursor; Persistent organic pollutant; Industry; Dust; Chlorine Organic compounds; Sintering; Pollution source; Air pollution; Electrostatic precipitator; Organic compounds; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es034679t

The sintering process is among the major sources of PCDD/Fs in the environment. This research studies the influence of the raw materials in this type of industrial plant on the amounts of PCDD/Fs generated. Particular interest is given to coke, which constitutes the principal source of carbon for the de novo synthesis of PCDD/Fs, and to the dust collected in the electrostatic precipitator (E.S.P. dust), usually recycled in the raw materials. The de novo synthesis of PCDD/Fs is simulated at the laboratory scale by thermal treatments of the samples. The use of a particular coke as a fuel does not drastically reduce the formation of PCDD/Fs. Actually, the global amounts of PCDD/Fs generated from the graphite and the two cokes tested are very similar. Only modifications in the fingerprint are observed. On the other hand, the addition of 10 wt % dust collected in the electrostatic precipitator leads to the formation of amounts of PCDD/Fs multiplied by a factor larger than 103. These results imply caution against the recycling of this E.S.P. dust in the raw materials.