Enrichment and distribution of 24 elements within the sub-sieve particle size distribution ranges of fly ash from wastes incinerator plants

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 203; no. Pt 3; pp. 1169 - 1177
• Main Authors: Raclavská, Helena, Corsaro, Agnieszka, Hartmann-Koval, Silvie, Juchelková, Dagmar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Coal Ash - chemistry; Enrichment; Fly ash; Incineration; Particle Size; Particle size distribution; Solid Waste - analysis; Wastes; Enrichment; Fly ash; Particle size distribution; Wastes; Incineration
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.03.073

The management of an increasing amount of municipal waste via incineration has been gaining traction. Fly ash as a by-product of incineration of municipal solid waste is considered a hazardous waste due to the elevated content of various elements. The enrichment and distribution of 24 elements in fly ash from three wastes incinerators were evaluated. Two coarse (>100 μm and <100 μm) and five sub-sieve (12–16, 16–23, 23–34, 34–49, and 49–100 μm) particle size fractions separated on a cyclosizer system were analyzed. An enhancement in the enrichment factor was observed in all samples for the majority of elements in >100 μm range compared with <100 μm range. The enrichment factor of individual elements varied considerably within the samples as well as the sub-sieve particle size ranges. These variations were attributed primarily to: (i) the vaporization and condensation mechanisms, (ii) the different design of incineration plants, (iii) incineration properties, (iv) the type of material being incinerated, and (v) the affinity of elements. •The enrichment and distribution of 24 elements in fly ash were evaluated.•Coarse and sub-sieve particle size fractions of fly ash were analyzed.•The enrichment of individual elements varied considerably within the samples.•The enrichment of elements varied greatly within the sub-sieve particle size ranges.