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Title: Fate of metals and emissions of organic pollutants from torrefaction of waste wood, MSW, and RDF

Journal Article · · Waste Management
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [3];  [1]
  1. Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå (Sweden)
  2. Energy Engineering, Department of Engineering Sciences & Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87 Luleå (Sweden)
  3. VafabMiljö Kommunalförbund, SE-721 87 Västerås (Sweden)

Highlights: •MSW, RDF and waste wood fuel blends were torrefied at 220 °C. •Chlorine is separated from metals catalytically active in PCDD/F formation. •Torrefaction of MSW and RDF reduces the risk for alkali-chloride corrosion in WtE. •Torrefaction of MSW generates less PCDD/F than RDF when combined with DC. -- Abstract: Torrefaction of municipal solid waste (MSW), refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and demolition and construction wood (DC) was performed at 220 °C and a residence time of 90 min in a bench-scale reactor. The levels of toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) contained in emission from the torrefaction process were evaluated. In addition, main ash-forming elements and trace metals in the raw feedstock and char were determined. The use of MSW in fuel blends with DC resulted in lower PCDD and PCDF emissions after torrefaction, compared with the RDF blends. The migration of chlorine from the feedstock to the gas phase reduces the chlorine content of the char which may reduce the risk of alkali chloride-corrosion in char combustion. However, trace metals catalytically active in the formation of PCDD and PCDF remain in the char, thereby may promote PCDD and PCDF formation during subsequent char combustion for energy recovery; this formation is less extensive than when the feedstock is used.

OSTI ID:
22742156
Journal Information:
Waste Management, Vol. 68, Issue Complete; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0956-053X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English