Emission and distribution of PCDD/Fs and CBzs from two co-processing RDF cement plants in China

An analysis of the emission and distribution characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and chlorobenzenes (CBzs) from two cement kilns (CK1 and CK2) is done. Six measurements in CK1 showed an increase of PCDD/F emission from 76 to 97 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) after feeding 10 ton/h RDF (refuse derived fuel). For CK2, the effect of increasing the RDF substitution rates from 0 to 21 t/h on the emission of PCDD/Fs was investigated. The correlation analysis indicated that replacing parts of the conventional fuel with RDF could not increase the emission of PCDD/Fs. Furthermore, the gas/particle partitions of PCDD/Fs and CBzs in stack gas were investigated, indicating that PCDD/Fs and CBzs were more associated in gas phase, especially for the lower chlorinated ones. Moreover, the bag filter fly ash was characterized by its particle distribution, XRD- and EDS-analysis. Additionally, the level of PCDD/Fs in outflowing fly ash escalates for smaller particle size. In order to evaluate the environmental effect on inhabitants, the levels of PCDD/Fs were also determined in samples of ambient air collected in the vicinity of CK2 (~200 m).

Mechanism of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutant formation in iron ore sintering

Effects of temperature, carbon content and copper additive on formation of chlorobenzenes (CBzs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in iron ore sintering were investigated. By heating simulated fly ash (SFA) at a temperature range of 250-500°C, the yield of both CBzs and PCBs presented two peaks of 637ng/g-fly ash at 350°C and 1.5×10(5)ng/g-fly ash at 450°C for CBzs, and 74ng/g-fly ash at 300°C and 53ng/g-fly ash at 500°C. Additionally, in the thermal treatment of real fly ash (RFA), yield of PCBs displayed two peak values at 350°C and 500°C, however, yield of CBzs showed only one peak at 400°C. In the thermal treatment of SFA with a carbon content range of 0-20wt% at 300°C, both CBzs and PCBs obtained the maximum productions of 883ng/g-fly ash for CBzs and 127ng/g-fly ash for PCBs at a 5wt% carbon content. Copper additives also affected chlorinated aromatic formation. The catalytic activity of different copper additives followed the orders: CuCl2∙2H2O>>Cu2O>Cu>CuSO4>CuO for CBzs, and CuCl2∙2H2O>>Cu2O>CuO>Cu>CuSO4 for PCBs.

Municipal solid waste incineration in China and the issue of acidification: A review

In China, incineration is essential for reducing the volume of municipal solid waste arising in its numerous megacities. The evolution of incinerator capacity has been huge, yet it creates strong opposition from a small, but vocal part of the population. The characteristics of Chinese municipal solid waste are analysed and data presented on its calorific value and composition. These are not so favourable for incineration, since the sustained use of auxiliary fuel is necessary for ensuring adequate combustion temperatures. Also, the emission standard for acid gases is more lenient in China than in the European Union, so special attention should be paid to the issue of acidification arising from flue gas. Next, the techniques used in flue gas cleaning in China are reviewed and the acidification potential by cleaned flue gas is estimated. Still, acidification induced by municipal solid waste incinerators remains marginal compared with the effects of coal-fired power plants.

Brominated flame retardants and the formation of dioxins and furans in fires and combustion

The widespread use and increasing inventory of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have caused considerable concern, as a result of BFRs emissions to the environment and of the formation of both polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed polybromochloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs or PXDD/Fs). Structural similarities between PBDD/Fs and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) suggest the existence of comparable formation pathways of both PBDD/Fs and PCDD/Fs, yet BFRs also act as specific precursors to form additional PBDD/Fs. Moreover, elementary bromine (Br2) seems to facilitate chlorination by bromination of organics, followed by Br/Cl-exchange based on displacement through the more reactive halogen. Overall, PBDD/Fs form through three possible pathways: precursor formation, de novo formation, and dispersion of parts containing BFRs as impurities and surviving a fire or other events. The present review summarises the formation mechanisms of both brominated (PBDD/Fs) and mixed dioxins (PXDD/Fs with X=Br or Cl) from BFRs, recaps available emissions data of PBDD/Fs and mixed PXDD/Fs from controlled waste incineration, uncontrolled combustion sources and accidental fires, and identifies and analyses the effects of several local factors of influence, affecting the formation of PBDD/Fs and mixed PXDD/Fs during BFRs combustion.

High temperature suppression of dioxins

Combined Sulphur-Nitrogen inhibitors, such as sewage sludge decomposition gases (SDG), thiourea and amidosulphonic acid have been observed to suppress the de novo synthesis of dioxins effectively. In this study, the inhibition of PCDD/Fs formation from model fly ash was investigated at unusually high temperatures (650 °C and 850 °C), well above the usual range of de novo tests (250-400 °C). At 650 °C it was found that SDG evolving from dried sewage sludge could suppress the formation of 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs with high efficiency (90%), both in weight units and in I-TEQ units. Additionally, at 850 °C, three kinds of sulphur-amine or sulphur-ammonium compounds were tested to inhibit dioxins formation during laboratory-scale tests, simulating municipal solid waste incineration. The suppression efficiencies of PCDD/Fs formed through homogeneous gas phase reactions were all above 85% when 3 wt. % of thiourea (98.7%), aminosulphonic acid (96.0%) or ammonium thiosulphate (87.3%) was added. Differences in the ratio of PCDFs/PCDDs, in weight average chlorination level and in the congener distribution of the 17 toxic PCDD/Fs indicated that the three inhibitors tested followed distinct suppression pathways, possibly in relation to their different functional groups of nitrogen. Furthermore, thiourea reduced the (weight) average chlorinated level. In addition, the thermal decomposition of TUA was studied by means of thermogravimetry-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) and the presence of SO2, SO3, NH3 and nitriles (N≡C bonds) was shown in the decomposition gases; these gaseous inhibitors might be the primary dioxins suppressants.

Iron and copper catalysis of PCDD/F formation

The formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) was explored during de novo tests designed to compare the catalytic activity of copper (II) chloride (CuCl2) with that of iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) and to test some synergistic effect between these two catalytic compounds. Both copper chloride (CuCl2) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) were earlier proposed as catalysts to explain the PCDD/F emissions from, e.g. municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI). In addition, haematite (Fe2O3) is the main iron ore and could be responsible for the typical iron ore sintering plant fingerprint. A total of nine model fly ash (MFA) samples were prepared by mixing and grinding of sodium chloride (NaCl), activated carbon and a powder matrix of silica (SiO2) with the selected metal compound(s). The conditions of these de novo tests were 1 h in duration, 350 °C in a flow of synthetic combustion gas (10 vol.% oxygen in nitrogen). The effect of Fe-Cu catalyst concentration on yield and distribution pattern of PCDD/F was systematically explored; three strongly differing ratios of [Fe]:[Cu] were considered (1:1, 10:1 and 100:1) to study the potential interactions of Fe2O3 and CuCl2 suggested earlier. The results show some slight rise of PCDD/F formed with raising iron concentration from 0 to 10.1 wt% (no Cu added; 0.1 wt% Cu), as well as strong surging of both amount and average chlorination level of PCDD/F when rising amounts of copper (0 to 1.1 wt%) are introduced. The resulting fingerprints are compared with those from sintering and from MSWI.

Continuous sampling of MSWI dioxins

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) is generally considered as a well-controlled source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), in brief dioxins. Start-up conditions continue, however, to be problematic. A self-developed continuous sampler was specially designed and built to fulfill the various sampling criteria of U.S. EPA Method 23 and monitor the trends of dioxins emissions during diverse operating conditions. In the MSWI plant investigated, a 98.1% TEQ PCDD/F removal efficiency was achieved in normal operation using activated carbon injection + bag filtration (ACI + BF) and the corresponding PCDD/F emission remains well below the standard set by Taiwan EPA (0.1 ng I-TEQ/Nm(3) @ 11% O2). During start-up, however, continuous sampling indicates that this limit value is reached only after 12 and 9 days, respectively for the 1st (2011) and 2nd test campaign (2012). Only 15 days after start-up the PCDD/F emissions shrunk to the levels typically measured during normal operation. The PCDD/F emissions from the 1st and 2nd continuous sampling campaigns were 5.4 and 5.5 mg I-TEQ, respectively. Short-term PCDD/F sampling such as the U.S. EPA Method 23 is less adapted to monitor these transient PCDD/F emissions representatively and accurately, due to a steady decrease of PCDD/F emissions after start-up. This self-developed continuous sampler effectively enhances the ease and reliability of emission data collecting during transient conditions of MSWI.

Adsorption of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans on activated carbon from hexane

Activated carbon is widely used to abate dioxins and dioxin-like compounds from flue gas. Comparing commercial samples regarding their potential to adsorb dioxins may proceed by using test columns, yet it takes many measurements to characterise the retention and breakthrough of dioxins. In this study, commercial activated carbon samples are evaluated during tests to remove trace amounts of dioxins dissolved in n-hexane. The solution was prepared from fly ash collected from a municipal solid waste incinerator. The key variables selected were the concentration of dioxins in n-hexane and the dosage of activated carbon. Both polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) showed very high removal efficiencies (94.7%-98.0% for PCDDs and 99.7%-99.8% for PCDFs). The presence of a large excess of n-hexane solvent had little effect on the removal efficiency of PCDD/Fs. The adsorbed PCDD/Fs showed a linear correlation (R(2) > 0.98) with the initial concentrations. Comparative analysis of adsorption isotherms showed that a linear Henry isotherm fitted better the experimental data (R(2) = 0.99 both for PCDDs and PCDFs) than the more usual Freundlich isotherm (R(2) = 0.88 for PCDDs and 0.77 for PCDFs). Finally, the results of fingerprint analysis indicated that dioxin fingerprint (weight proportion of different congeners) on activated carbon after adsorption did not change from that in hexane.

Thermal desorption of PCB-contaminated soil with sodium hydroxide

The thermal desorption was combined with sodium hydroxide to remediate polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil. The experiments were conducted at different temperatures ranging from 300 to 600 °C with three NaOH contents of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 %. The results showed that thermal desorption was effective for PCB removal, destruction, and detoxication, and the presence of NaOH enhanced the process by significant dechlorination. After treatment with 0.1 % NaOH, the removal efficiency (RE) increased from 84.8 % at 300 °C to 98.0 % at 600 °C, corresponding to 72.7 and 91.7 % of destruction efficiency (DE). With 1 % NaOH content treated at 600 °C, the RE and DE were 99.0 and 93.6 %, respectively. The effect of NaOH content on PCB removal was significant, especially at lower temperature, yet it weakened under higher temperature. The interaction between NaOH content and temperature influenced the PCB composition. The higher temperature with the help of NaOH effectively increased the RE and DE of 12 dioxin-like PCBs (based on WHO-TEQ).

Thermal desorption of PCBs from contaminated soil with copper dichloride

Copper dichloride is an important catalyst both in the dechlorination of chlorinated aromatic compounds and the formation of PCDD/Fs. The effect of copper dichloride on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) was studied in treated soil and off gas after thermal desorption of PCB-contaminated soil at 300, 400, 500, 600 °C. The presence of copper dichloride clearly enhances thermal desorption by promoting PCBs removal, destruction, and dechlorination. After thermal treatment at 600 °C for 1 h, the removal efficiency and destruction efficiency for PCBs reached 98.1 and 93.9%, respectively. Compared with the positive influence on PCBs, copper dichloride catalyzed large amount of PCDFs formation at 300 °C, with the concentration ratio of 2.35. The effect of CuCl2 on PCDFs formation weakened with the rising temperature since PCDFs destruction became dominant under higher temperature. Different from PCDFs, PCDDs concentration in treated soil and off gas decreased continuously with the increasing temperature.

Reducing dioxin formation by adding hydrogen in simulated fly ash

In this study, simulated fly ash containing CuO/CuCl2 was heated at 350 °C in a flow of N2 and also in a nitrogen flow containing 10 vol% H2, to evaluate the influence of hydrogen adding on dioxin formation. The total polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) output derived from the CuO sample under N2 and 10 % H2 was 7.382 and 0.708 ng/g, respectively. As for CuCl2, it was 589 and 46.1 ng/g, respectively. The results show that the hydrogen adding has a good inhibition effect on PCDD/F formation; the inhibition rate was higher than 90 % for PCDD/Fs. HCl and NH3 were detected by Gasmet in the flue gas; the probable inhibition mechanism of hydrogen reaction was proposed, based on our measurements and others' researches.

Effect of oxygen content on the thermal desorption of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soil

Oxygen plays an important role during the thermal treatment of soil, contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), due to the potential oxidation of PCBs to form polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The effect of oxygen content (0, 5, 21 and 100%) in carrier gases on PCBs and PCDD/Fs was studied both in soil and gas after thermal desorption of PCBs contaminated soil at 500 °C. All 209 congeners of PCBs and 136 congeners of PCDD/Fs (P = 4 to 8) were analysed. Oxygen content showed little effect on PCB removal and destruction. Under different carrier gases, the removal efficiency and the destruction efficiency for PCBs attained 93.8-95.5 and 83.0-85.0 %, respectively. The levels of PCDD/Fs in soil and gas were correlated positively with oxygen content. Compared with PCDDs, PCDFs in soil were not effectively removed under oxidative conditions because there was chemistry going on and PCBs were being converted to PCDFs. The total concentration of PCDFs in soil and gas was 2.6, 11.3, 15.6 and 17.5 times of the initial PCDFs concentration (21.9 ng/g) in raw soil with increasing oxygen content. Thus, substantial amounts of PCDFs were generated in the presence of oxygen during the treatment of contaminated soil.

Formation of dioxins on NiO and NiCl2 at different oxygen concentrations

Model fly ash (MFA) containing activated carbon (AC) as source of carbon, NaCl as source of chlorine and either NiO or NiCl2 as de novo catalyst, was heated for 1h at 350 °C in a carrier gas flow composed of N2 containing 0, 6, 10, and 21 vol.% O2, to study the formation of PCDD/Fs (dioxins) and its dependence on oxygen. The formation of PCDD/Fs with NiCl2 was stronger by about two orders of magnitude than with NiO and the difference augmented with rising oxygen concentration. The thermodynamics of the NiO-NiCl2 system were represented, X-ray absorption near edge structural (XANES) spectroscopy allowed to probe the state of oxidation of the nickel catalyst in the MFA and individual metal species were distinguished using the LCF (Linear combination fitting) technique: thus three supplemental nickel compounds (Ni2O3, Ni(OH)2, and Ni) were found in the fly ash. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicates that both Ni2O3 and NiCl2 probably played an important role in the formation of PCDD/Fs.

Dioxins and polyvinylchloride in combustion and fires

This review on polyvinylchloride (PVC) and dioxins collects, collates, and compares data from selected sources on the formation of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), or in brief dioxins, in combustion and fires. In professional spheres, the incineration of PVC as part of municipal solid waste is seldom seen as a problem, since deep flue gas cleaning is required anyhow. Conversely, with its high content of chlorine, PVC is frequently branded as a major chlorine donor and spitefully leads to substantial formation of dioxins during poorly controlled or uncontrolled combustion and open fires. Numerous still ill-documented and diverse factors of influence may affect the formation of dioxins during combustion: on the one hand PVC-compounds represent an array of materials with widely different formulations; on the other hand these may all be exposed to fires of different nature and consequences. Hence, attention should be paid to PVC with respect to the ignition and development of fires, as well as attenuating the emission of objectionable compounds, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and dioxins. This review summarises available dioxin emissions data, gathers experimental and simulation studies of fires and combustion tests involving PVC, and identifies and analyses the effects of several local factors of influence, affecting the formation of dioxins during PVC combustion.

Dioxins from medical waste incineration: Normal operation and transient conditions

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are key pollutants in waste incineration. At present, incinerator managers and official supervisors focus only on emissions evolving during steady-state operation. Yet, these emissions may considerably be raised during periods of poor combustion, plant shutdown, and especially when starting-up from cold. Until now there were no data on transient emissions from medical (or hospital) waste incineration (MWI). However, MWI is reputed to engender higher emissions than those from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI). The emission levels in this study recorded for shutdown and start-up, however, were significantly higher: 483 ± 184 ng Nm(-3) (1.47 ± 0.17 ng I-TEQ Nm(-3)) for shutdown and 735 ng Nm(-3) (7.73 ng I-TEQ Nm(-3)) for start-up conditions, respectively. Thus, the average (I-TEQ) concentration during shutdown is 2.6 (3.8) times higher than the average concentration during normal operation, and the average (I-TEQ) concentration during start-up is 4.0 (almost 20) times higher. So monitoring should cover the entire incineration cycle, including start-up, operation and shutdown, rather than optimised operation only. This suggestion is important for medical waste incinerators, as these facilities frequently start up and shut down, because of their small size, or of lacking waste supply. Forthcoming operation should shift towards much longer operating cycles, i.e., a single weekly start-up and shutdown.

Simultaneous suppression of PCDD/F and NO(x) during municipal solid waste incineration

Thiourea was tested as a dioxins inhibitor in a full-scale municipal solid waste incinerator with high capacity (34 t h(-1)). The suppressant, featuring a high S- and N-content, was converted into liquor and then injected (35 kg h(-1)) into the furnace (850 °C) through the inlets already used for Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) of flue gas NOx. The first results show that thiourea reduces the dioxins in flue gas by 55.8 wt.%, those in fly ash by 90.3 wt.% and the total dioxins emission factor by 91.0 wt.%. The concentration of PCDD/Fs was 0.08 ng TEQ Nm(-3), below the national standard of 0.1 ng TEQ Nm(-3). The weight average chlorination degree of dioxins decreases slightly after adding the inhibitor, indicating that it suppresses both the formation and the chlorination of dioxins. Analysis of fly ash by scanning electron microscope (SEM) suggests that the particle size becomes larger after adding the inhibitor. Further analysis using an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) reveals that the sulphur content in fly ash rises, but the chlorine content declines when adding thiourea. These results suggest that poisoning the metal catalyst and blocking the chlorination are probably responsible for suppression. NOx reduction attains 42.6 wt.%. These tests are paving the way for further industrial application and assist in controlling the future emissions of dioxins and NOx from MSWI.

PCDD/Fs' suppression by sulfur-amine/ammonium compounds

Three distinct -S and -NH2 or NH4(+) containing compounds, including ammonium thiosulfate, aminosulfonic acid and thiourea, were studied as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) inhibitors. All these three -S and -N containing compounds tested show strong suppression of PCDD/Fs formation, especially for thiourea which has not been studied before. With a (S+N)/Cl molar ratio of only 0.47, thiourea could inhibit 97.3% of PCDD/Fs and even 99.8% of I-TEQ. At an unusually high de novo test temperature (650 °C), the PCDD/Fs' formation was still very low but also the inhibition capacity of thiourea was weak, with an efficiency of 59% for PCDD/Fs when with a (S+N)/Cl molar ratio of 1.40. The results also revealed that the inhibition capability of the combined -S/-NH2 or -S/NH4(+) suppressant was strongly influenced by both the nature of the functional group of nitrogen and the value of the molar ratio (S+N)/Cl. The amine functional group -NH2 tends to be more efficient than ammonium NH4(+) and within a certain range a higher (S+N)/Cl value leads to a higher inhibition efficiency. Moreover, the emission of gases was continuously monitored: the Gasmet results revealed that SO2, HCN and NH3 were the most important decomposition products of thiourea. Thiourea is non-toxic, environment-friendly and can be sprayed into the post-combustion zone in form of powder or aqueous solution. The cost of thiourea at least can be partially compensated by its high inhibition efficiency. Therefore, the application of thiourea in a full-scale incinerator system is promising and encouraging.

Influence of temperature and atmosphere on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans desorption from waste incineration fly ash

A fly ash sample was heated for 1 h to 200°C, 300°C and 400°C, in order to study the influence of temperature and gas phase composition on the removal of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from fly ash derived from municipal solid waste incineration. The tests were conducted by treating a fixed bed of fly ash both in an inert (nitrogen) and in a reducing (nitrogen+hydrogen) gas flow in a horizontal bench-scale quartz tubular reactor, heated by a surrounding tubular furnace. The results indicate that most of the PCDD/Fs in fly ash were removed by thermal treatment, especially when the temperature was higher than 300°C: the PCDD/Fs' removal efficiency attained up to 96%. PCDD/Fs dechlorination and destruction were much more important than PCDD/Fs desorption, under either inert or reducing atmosphere. At 200°C and 300°C, the experiments with reducing atmosphere yielded slightly better results than those in nitrogen; yet, this tendency was reversed at 400°C. In general, both treatment modes can fully meet the requirements regarding the concentration of dioxins in fly ash to be sent for landfill in China.

Polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons around a thermal desorption plant in China

This study was launched to establish comprehensive environmental monitoring on the levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) both in soil and ambient air around a thermal desorption plant in China. All 209 congeners of PCBs, 136 congeners of PCDD/Fs (P = 4 to 8) and 16 EPA priority PAHs were analyzed. The concentration of PCBs ranged from 20.0 to 536 ng g(-1) (or 0.077-5.27 pg WHO-TEQ g(-1)) in soil and from 972 to 991 ng Nm(-3) (or 0.245-0.374 pg WHO-TEQ Nm(-3)) in air samples, much higher than the levels in cities. A single soil sampling point could have been affected by some transfer of PCBs from the untreated soil by the fingerprint characteristics and the statistical analysis. Establishing blank values prior to the start-up of new plant is a safe and sure method to establish subsequent impacts on the environment. During the treatment of hazardous waste, strict control of all waste materials and all emissions is required.

Removal of gaseous HxCBz by gliding arc plasma in combination with a catalyst

Hexachlorobenzene (HxCBz) owns the chemical structure of one benzene ring and six H atoms substituted by Cl atoms and it is a persistent organic pollutant present in flue gas from municipal solid waste incineration as an important precursor of dioxins. Its removal was studied using gliding arc plasma treatment, coupled downstream with a V2O5–WO3–TiO2 catalyst. Several parameters (input voltage, O2 concentration, catalytic temperature and catalyst position) all influenced its removal efficiency (RE). Optimal parameter settings were tentatively determined, i.e., an input voltage of 15 kV, the temperature of the catalyst (250 °C), and the O2 concentration (30 vol% O2) tested at a single, fixed concentration of gaseous HxCBz (71.6 ng Nm−3). A maximum RE of 76 ± 3% HxCBz was attained, with the plasma and coupled catalyst combined. Two destruction pathways, incorporating dechlorination and oxidation reactions, were recognised, both based on the detection of end- and intermediate products as well as of active species produced by the plasma. These end- and intermediate products included: low chlorinated polychlorobenzenes (mainly 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene) as well as hydrocarbons (mainly C2H6), HCOOH, CH4, CO, CO2, etc.

Inhibition of the de novo synthesis of PCDD/Fs on model fly ash by sludge drying gases

Sludge drying gases (SDG), evolving from drying and mild thermal decomposition (<300°C) of raw sewage sludge contain NH3 and SO2 as well as other N- and S-compounds. All of these are potential PCDD/Fs suppressants. It is indeed observed that these SDG suppress 2,3,7,8-substitued PCDD/Fs formation on Model Fly Ash (MFA) with an efficiency up to 97.6% in wt. units and 96% in I-TEQ, respectively. This suppression is strong for (the bulk of) PCDD/Fs, adsorbed on the model fly ash; conversely, sludge drying gases enhance PCDD/Fs desorption from MFA. Moreover, TCDD/Fs are suppressed least, possibly following stepwise dechlorination of higher chlorinated PCDD/Fs. Characteristics, such as the type, origins and amount of sludge, its moisture-, nitrogen- and sulfur content and the nature of the thermal treatment applied are all expected to influence upon the suppression capabilities. In this study three types of dry sludge are tested and applied as suppressant in four different amounts or modes. The quality of the sludge drying gases is continuously monitored: the Gasmet results reveal that NH3 and SO2 are the most important components of SDG. The MFA reaction residue is scrutinized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) analysis. A large number of particles attaching to the surface of model fly ash are observed by SEM. Moreover, EDS analysis reveals that part of the chlorine in MFA is carried away with the SDG and replaced by sulfur, so that eliminating chlorine may be part of the inhibition mechanism. However, further research is still needed to establish the optimum operating modes and to confirm the role of both inorganic and organic nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the suppression of PCDD/Fs formation on model fly ash.

Thermal desorption of PCBs from contaminated soil using nano zerovalent iron

In this study, thermal desorption was combined with the addition of nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) to remediate polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil collected from a storage point for PCB-contaminated capacitors and transformers. The thermal desorption test conditions were varied from 300 to 600 °C, both with blank soil and with 100 mg of nZVI added. Next, the effect of the amount of nZVI added (0, 20, 40, 100, 200 mg) was investigated by thermal treatment at 400 °C. The test results show that thermal desorption eliminates most of the PCB load and that the presence of nZVI clearly enhances thermal desorption. After thermal treatment at 400 °C, a removal efficiency of 94.2 % was reached, with the use of 200 mg of nZVI. At 600 °C, the PCB removal efficiency after 1 h attained 98.35 % with 100 mg of nZVI and 97.40 % without nZVI. The presence of nZVI effectively decreased both the sum and the WHO-TEQ value of the 12 dl-PCBs.

Some technical issues in managing PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were important industrial chemicals featuring high thermal and chemical stability and low flammability. They were widely used as dielectric and thermal fluid in closed electro-technical applications (transformers, capacitors…) and also in numerous dispersive uses, ranking from auto-copying paper to sealant or coatings. During the 1960s, severe environmental consequences started becoming apparent. The stability of PCBs contributed to their persistence in the environment, their lipophilic character to bio-magnification. Fish-eating species seemed threatened in their existence. In Japan and in Taiwan, thousands of people consumed PCB-contaminated oil. The production of PCBs stopped completely during the 1980s. Usage could continue in closed applications only. In this paper, particular attention is given to two issues: the cleaning of PCB electric transformers and the potential impact of PCB-containing building materials. Other contributions will cover the management and treatment of PCB-contaminated soil, sludge or fly ash. The complete survey is being prepared by request of the Knowledge Center for Engineers and Professionals.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Africa: a review of environmental levels

Several studies have shown an increase in PCB sources in Africa due to leakage and wrongly disposed transformers, continuing import of e-waste from countries of the North, shipwreck, and biomass burning. Techniques used in the recycling of waste such as melting and open burning to recover precious metals make PCBs contained in waste and other semivolatile organic substances prone to volatilization, which has resulted in an increase of PCB levels in air, blood, breast milk, and fish in several regions of Africa. Consequences for workers performing these activities without adequate measures of protection could result in adverse human health effects. Recent biodegradation studies in Africa have revealed the existence of exotic bacterial strains exhibiting unique and unusual PCB metabolic capability in terms of array of congeners that can serve as carbon source and diversity of congeners attacked, marking considerable progress in the development of effective bioremediation strategies for PCB-contaminated matrices such as sediments and soils in tropical regions. Action must be taken to find and deal with the major African sources of these pollutants. The precise sources of the PCB plume should be pinned down and used to complete the pollutant inventories of African countries. These nations must then be helped to safely dispose of the potentially dangerous chemicals.

Treating PCDD/Fs by combined catalysis and activated carbon adsorption

V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts are used to destroy dioxins present in the gas phase, yet both their removal efficiency (RE) and destruction efficiency (DE) decrease with rising initial concentration (IC). Therefore, activated carbons (AC-1: based on lignite; AC-2: based on coconut shell) were mixed with the catalyst to tackle these high IC gases. A gas phase dioxin-generating system was used to supply three different stable IC-values. When the highest IC is used (20.5 ng I-TEQ Nm(-3)) without AC, at 200°C, the RE and DE-value of PCDD/Fs reaches only 76% and 64%, respectively. At the same conditions, using a mix of catalyst and AC-2, these RE and DE-values rise to 90.1% and 82.0%, respectively. The mix catalyst/AC also shows better performance at low temperature (160 and 180°C). The AC characteristics influence upon the adsorption and degradation abilities of the mixtures.