Fate of trace metals in a rotary-kiln incinerator with a single-stage ionizing wet scrubber. Volume 1. Technical results

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5328318

Fournier, D J; Waterland, L R

A series of pilot-scale incineration tests was performed at EPA's Incineration Research Facility (IRF) in Jefferson, Arkansas, to evaluate the fate of trace metals fed to a rotary kiln incinerator equipped with an ionizing wet scrubber (IWS) for particulate and acid gas control. Test variables were kiln temperature, ranging from 816 to 927 C (1500 to 1700 F); afterburner temperature, ranging from 982 to 1204 C (1800 to 2200 F); and feed chlorine content, ranging from 0 to 8 percent. The test program evaluated the fate of five hazardous constituent trace metals (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, and lead) and four nonhazardous constituent trace metals (bismuth, copper, magnesium, and strontium). The test results indicate that cadmium and bismuth were relatively volatile, with an average of less than 40 percent discharged with the kiln ash. Arsenic, barium, chromium, copper, lead, magnesium, and strontium were relatively nonvolatile, with an average of greater than 80 percent discharged with the kiln ash. Observed relative metal volatilities generally agreed with the volatilities predicted based on vapor pressure/temperature relationships, with the exception of arsenic which was much less volatile than predicted. The volatility of cadmium, bismuth, and lead increased as kiln temperature was increased; the discharge distributions of the remaining metals were not significantly affected by changes in kiln temperature. Apparent scrubber collection efficiencies for the metals averaged 22 to 71 percent, and were generally higher for the less volatile metals. The overall average metal collection efficiency was 43 percent.

• Research Organization: Acurex Corp., Jefferson, AR (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5328318
• Report Number(s): PB-91-223388/XAB; CNN: EPA-68-C9-0038
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ARSENIC
BARIUM
BISMUTH
CADMIUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM
COMBUSTION
CONTROL
COPPER
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INCINERATORS
LEAD
MAGNESIUM
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
OXIDATION
PARTICLE SIZE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PILOT PLANTS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SCRUBBERS
SEMIMETALS
SIZE
STRONTIUM
TESTING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VOLATILITY
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT