Sintering of the APC Residue from Municipal Waste Incinerators

• Published in: Process safety and environmental protection Vol. 77; no. 4; pp. 212 - 218
• Main Authors: Lee, P.H., Nasserzadeh, V., Swithenbank, J., Laming, J.V., Goodfellow, J., Mcleodt, C., Argent, B.B., Lawrence, D., Garrod, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rugby Elsevier B.V 01.07.1999; Institution of Chemical Engineers
• Subjects: APC residue; Applied sciences; detoxification; Exact sciences and technology; heavy metal; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; Pollution; regenerative burner; sintering; Wastes; heavy metal; sintering; detoxification; APC residue; regenerative burner; Heat treatment; Waste treatment; Urban waste; Hazardous waste; Tailings; Heavy metal; Heat regenerator; Equipment specifications; Fly ash; Incineration; Sintering; Solid waste; Test method; Lixiviation; Burner; Performance
• ISSN: 0957-5820; 1744-3598
• DOI: 10.1205/095758299530099

Air pollution control (APC) residues from municipal waste incineration contain considerable amounts of water-soluble heavy metal compounds which can cause environmental problems. Therefore, a satisfactory and efficient detoxification technology is required. A thermal process via sintering has been developed that is capable of forming two major fractions of sintered products — that is, a small fraction in which the volatile heavy metals are concentrated for recycling or disposal and a major solid particle fraction that is more stable. This result has been obtained by heating the APC ash up to 850 °C with a high efficiency processing system. This novel process has been demonstrated in a large experimental facility that includes a 100 kW regenerative burner. The approach is based on the application of a regenerative heating concept to achieve an economic and efficient process. Thus, the hazardous material which is causing a problem when landfilled can be converted to a better quality product either for utilization by the construction industry or for disposal at lower cost.