Vitrification may solve municipal incinerator ash disposal problems
Regulatory and judicial processes have not yet yielded definitive guidance regarding the status of ash from municipal waste combustors (MWCs); whether MWC ash should be exempt from hazardous waste classification is currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. One of the issues concerns heavy metals sometimes found in incinerator ash; metal concentrations may cause the ash to demonstrate the toxicity characteristic via EPA`s toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). One option being investigated to avoid the as-yet-undefined liabilities associated with MWC ash disposal is vitrification. Melting and solidifying ash into a glassy matrix immobilizes heavy metals and reduces the potential that the waste will fail TCLP testing. 2 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 441210
- Journal Information:
- Hazardous Waste Consultant, Journal Name: Hazardous Waste Consultant Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 11; ISSN 0738-0232; ISSN HWCOEH
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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