Effects of the basicity on the comelting conditions of municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash and sewage sludge ash

In this study, the effects of the basicity on the pouring point of the municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash-sewage sludge ash mixture is investigated. Four kinds of sewage sludge ash, which were collected from several primary and secondary sewage treatment plants and were produced by different processes and sludge conditioning alternatives, were used as modifiers. The results indicate that the pouring point of the mixture increased with increasing basicity, within the range of 0.65-1.90. The pouring point is affected by the contents of the mixtures (CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, and the flux). It is suggested that an increase in the CaO content tends to raise the pouring point, whereas an increase in the SiO2 and/or the Al2O3 contents cause as adverse reaction. The prediction equation, obtained by multilinear regression (significant level is 0.05), is as follows: pouring temperature = 1189.6 + 4.19 CaO - 0.96 SiO2 - 4.33 Al2O3 (R2 = 0.91). In general, the pouring point decreased when the basicity was < 1. The pouring point apparently increased when the basicity was > 1.2. The regression squares for the different basicities were between 0.84 and 0.91. From these relationships, we note that a basicity index of 5 gave the best R2 (0.91). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the modification of the basicity of the fly ash by the addition of sewage sludge ash to lower the pouring point is feasible and leads to a more energy-efficient melting process. In addition, these synthetic slags have a good pozzolanic reactive activity.     

Effects of the Basicity on the Comelting Conditions of Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Fly Ash and Sewage Sludge Ash

Abstract

In this study, the effects of the basicity on the pouring point of the municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash-sewage sludge ash mixture is investigated. Four kinds of sewage sludge ash, which were collected from several primary and secondary sewage treatment plants and were produced by different processes and sludge conditioning alternatives, were used as modifiers. The results indicate that the pouring point of the mixture increased with increasing basicity, within the range of 0.65–1.90. The pouring point is affected by the contents of the mixtures (CaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and the flux). It is suggested that an increase in the CaO content tends to raise the pouring point, whereas an increase in the SiO₂ and/or the Al₂O₃ contents cause as adverse reaction. The prediction equation, obtained by multilinear regression (significant level is 0.05), is as follows: pouring temperature =1189.6 + 4.19CaO-0.96 SiO₂-4.33 Al₂O₃ (R² = 0.91). In general, the pouring point decreased when the basicity was <1. The pouring point apparently increased when the basicity was>1.2. The regression squares for the different basicities were between 0.84 and 0.91. From these relationships, we note that a basicity index of 5 gave the best R² (0.91). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the modification of the basicity of the fly ash by the addition of sewage sludge ash to lower the pouring point is feasible and leads to a more energy-efficient melting process. In addition, these synthetic slags have a good pozzolanic reactive activity.     

Investigation of the accumulation of ash,heavy metals,and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to assess the stability of lysis–cryptic growth sludge reduction in sequencing batch reactor

The accumulation of ash, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (collectively called potential accumulating substances, PAS) was evaluated to ascertain the stability of lysis–cryptic growth sludge reduction process (LSRP) for municipal sludge treatment. One sequencing batch reactor (SBR) incorporated with homogenization was run to test the LSRP and another SBR as a control. The continuous monitoring results for 2 months showed that the ash and heavy metals slightly increased, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons decreased by 18.0%, indicating that there may be negligible accumulations during the LSRP. Their accumulations met pattern I, as demonstrated by statistical analysis, proving no PAS accumulation for LSRP. This was further confirmed by sludge activity and system performance. Moreover, the mechanism for no PAS accumulation was discussed. It was concluded that the LSRP was stable with no worries about PAS accumulation under the operational conditions.     

污泥焚烧底灰中重金属残留特性的实验研究

利用原子吸收分光光度计和程序控制温升炉研究了沈阳市污水处理厂污泥在不同焚烧工况下重金属Cu、Cr、Cd、Zn、Ni和Pb在焚烧底灰中的残留特性。考察了升温速率、焚烧温度、含水率以及停留时间等因素对重金属在污泥底灰中的残留特性的影响。实验表明 ,Pb、Cd和Cu在灰渣中的残留率随着温度和停留时间的增加而降低。大部分的重金属元素Zn、Cu和Cr残留在灰渣中 ,Cd、Pb和Ni部分残留在灰渣中     

Application of reutilization technology to calcium fluoride sludge from semiconductor manufacturers

Glass ceramics were prepared from mixtures of wastes generated from refining of waste glass and semiconductor industrial wastewater sludge. The aim is then indeed to study the possible use and effects of integrating calcium fluoride (CaF2) as present in semiconductor wastewater sludge in the silica (glass) melts. CaF2 sludge was blended with a conditioner according to characteristics of the target. Calcium oxide-silicon dioxide-aluminum oxide system glass ceramics have relatively high melting points. Addition of CaF2 sludge to fluxes can significantly reduce the melting point and hence improve the kinetics of the reactions. CaF2 sludge and waste glass were co-melted in various ratios to elucidate their interactions at various heating temperatures. The results indicate that the lowest melting temperature was 1163 degrees C, obtained for the CaF2 sludge-waste glass mixture at a ratio 6:4 (wt:wt), which is significantly lower than that of CaF2 sludge (1378 degrees C). The benefits of using melting to dispose of sludge are the reduction of waste and the fixation of heavy metals. Heat treatment was used to convert the obtained glass into glass ceramics. Heavy metal leaching tests revealed that melting conditions lowered the heavy metal concentrations in the leachate to an order of magnitude lower than that in the sludge. Consequently, industrial sludge can be safely used as a fine aggregate material for a potentially wide range of construction applications.     

Effect of sludge-processing mode, soil texture and soil pH on metal mobility in undisturbed soil columns under accelerated loading

The effect of sludge processing (digested dewatered, pelletized, alkaline-stabilized, composted, and incinerated), soil type and initial soil pH on trace metal mobility was examined using undisturbed soil columns. Soils tested were Hudson silt loam (Glossaquic Hapludalf) and Arkport fine sandy loam (Lamellic Hapludalf), at initial pH levels of 5 and 7. Sludges were applied during four accelerated cropping cycles (215 tons/ha cumulative application for dewatered sludge; equivalent rates for other sludges), followed by four post-application cycles. Also examined (with no sludge applications) were Hudson soil columns from a field site that received a heavy loading of sludge in 1978. Romaine (Lactuca sativa) and oats (Avena sativa) were planted in alternate cycles, with oats later replaced by red clover (Trifolium pratense). Soil columns were watered with synthetic acid rainwater, and percolates were analyzed for trace metals (ICP spectroscopy), electrical conductivity and pH. Percolate metal concentrations varied with sludge and soil treatments. Composted sludge and ash had the lowest overall metal mobilities. Dewatered and pelletized sludge had notable leaching of Ni, Cd and Zn in Arkport soils, especially at low pH. Alkaline-stabilized sludge had the widest range of percolate metals (relatively insensitive to soils) including Cu, Ni, B and Mo. Old site column percolate concentrations showed good agreement with previous field data. Little leaching of P was observed in all cases. Cumulative percolate metal losses for all treatments were low relative to total applied metals. Leachate and soil pH were substantially depressed in dewatered and pelletized sludge soil columns and increased for alkaline-stabilized and ash treatments.     

Impacts of pH and ammonia on the leaching of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from coal fly ash

Many coal-fired power plants are implementing ammonia-based technologies to reduce NO(x) emissions. Excess ammonia in the flue gas often deposits on the coal fly ash. Ammonia can form complexes with many heavy metals and change the leaching characteristics of these metals. This research tends to develop a fundamental understanding of the ammonia impact on the leaching of some heavy metals, exemplified by Cu(II) and Cd(II), under different pH conditions. Batch results indicated that the adsorption is the main mechanism controlling Cu(II) and Cd(II) leaching, and high concentrations of ammonia (>5,000 mg/l) can increase the release of Cu(II) and Cd(II) in the alkaline pH range. Based on the chemical reactions among fly ash, ammonia, and heavy metal ion, a mathematical model was developed to quantify effects of pH and ammonia on metal adsorption. The adsorption constants (logK) of Cu(2+), Cu(OH)(+), Cu(OH)(2), and Cu(NH(3))(m)(2+) for the fly ash under investigation were respectively 6.0, 7.7, 9.6, and 2.9. For Cd(II), these constants were respectively 4.3, 6.9, 8.8, and 2.6. Metal speciation calculations indicated that the formation of less adsorbable metal-ammonia complexes decreased metal adsorption, therefore enhanced metal leaching.     

Sequential extraction of heavy metals during composting of sewage sludge

The major limitation of soil application of sewage sludge compost is the total heavy metal contents and their bioavailability to the soil-plant system. This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal speciation and the influence of changing the physico-chemical properties of the medium in the course of composting on the concentrations, bioavailability or chemical forms of Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni in sewage sludge. Principal physical and chemical properties and FTIR spectroscopical characterization of sludge compost during treatment show the stability and maturity of end product. The total metal contents in the final compost were much lower than the limit values of composts to be used as good soil fertilizer. Furthermore, it was observed by using a sequential extraction procedure in sludge compost at different steps of treatment, that a large proportion of the heavy metals were associated to the residual fraction (70-80%) and more resistant fractions to extraction X-NaOH, X-EDTA, X-HNO3 (12-29%). Less than 2% of metals bound to bioavailable fractions X-(KNO3+H2O). Heavy metal distribution and bioavailability show some changes during composting depending on the metal itself and the physico-chemical properties of the medium. Bioavailable fractions of all elements tend to decrease except Ni-H2O. Zn and mainly Cu present more affinity to organic and carbonate fractions. In contrast, Pb is usually preferentially bound to sulfide forms X-HNO3. Nickel shows a significant decrease of organic form. Significant degrees of correlation were found between heavy metal fractions and changes of some selected variables (e.g. pH, ash, organic matter, humic substance) during the course of composting. Mobile fractions of metals are poorly predictable from the total content. The R2 value was significantly increased by the inclusion of other variables such as the amount of organic matter (OM) and pH.     

Phosphorus release from ash, dried sludge and sludge residue from supercritical water oxidation by acid or base

Leaching of ash and dried sewage sludge were investigated and compared with the leaching results of sludge residue from supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). This article focuses on how the composition of ash and sludge residues influences the extraction of phosphate and heavy metals and if different treatment temperatures of the sludge effect the leachability. Results showed that acid leaching gave a higher release of phosphate than alkaline leaching for all ash and sludge residue samples. Also, alkaline leaching dissolved phosphate with a lower metal contamination than acid leaching. Furthermore, it was found that iron had a low release at both alkaline and acid leaching from ash and from SCWO residue. The difference in composition of ash and sludge residue samples had no significant influence on release of phosphate at high concentrations of acid. Phosphate release from ash, dried sludge at 300 degrees C and SCWO residue showed similar results at 1M acid leaching. However, it seems to be easier to release phosphate from the SCWO residue than from the ash at low acid concentrations. SCWO residue showed higher release than the other ashes at 0.5M HCl. Results for alkaline leaching showed higher release from ash at 1M NaOH than from SCWO residue or from dried sludge at 300 degrees C. The leaching of phosphate from dried sludge seems to be temperature dependent, as the dried sludge treated at higher temperature showed less release of phosphate. It was found that the pre-treatment of the ash may be important for better release of phosphate.     

矿区炼金废渣的固化/稳定化处理

通过对金矿矿区炼金废渣的酸中和能力、净产酸量及浸出毒性实验，测定了废渣的产酸潜力及重金属砷、镉、铅、锌的总量和它们的浸出量。为了合理处置矿区炼金废渣，并为矿区重金属污染土壤的修复提供技术支持，采用石灰、粉煤灰、堆肥化污泥作为添加剂对废渣进行固化/稳定化处理；通过浸出毒性实验对固化/稳定化处理效果进行综合分析，试图寻求一种最佳的稳定剂。结果表明，无论是单独添加石灰、粉煤灰或者堆肥化污泥还是两两组合混合添加，样品浸出液的pH都有升高，As、Cd的浸出浓度都有明显下降，而且两两组合添加比单独添加的固化/稳定化处理效果更好。在两两组合添加中，粉煤灰混合堆肥化污泥的处理效果最好，浸出液的pH值达到7.82，As、Cd的浸出率分别下降72.0%和72.2%。说明粉煤灰混合堆肥化污泥处理炼金废渣效果最佳，同时具有以废治污的资源化生态效能。     

污泥与煤、木屑燃烧过程中重金属排放特性研究

为了考察燃料燃烧过程中重金属的迁移转化规律，对污泥、煤与木屑及其混合物在不同温度下氧气中燃烧灰渣中的重金属元素进行分析。结果表明，燃料中重金属在高温燃烧时表现出不同的挥发特性，大部分元素随着温度的升高挥发率增加，其中Cd、Pb和Zn元素挥发性较强，Cr、Cu和Ni挥发性较弱。污泥与木屑混合燃烧灰渣仍以污泥灰为主，重金属含量与污泥灰相近，污泥中混入煤后使灰中大部分重金属含量有所降低。燃烧过程会改变重金属存在形态，污泥与煤原料中以酸溶态和可还原态存在的重金属含量较高，具有较强的生物有效性和迁移性，而燃烧灰渣中酸溶态和可还原态含量显著下降，混合燃烧灰渣中除As外的其他重金属几乎全部以残渣态存在，其含量达到90％以上，焚烧过程有效降低了燃料灰渣中重金属的生物毒性。     

Use of regenerated ferric oxide for CO destruction and suppressing dioxin formation in flue gas in a pilot-scale incinerator

Catalytic destruction of chlorinated compounds is one of the key methods in reducing pollutant emissions. For the purpose of utilizing waste materials, a catalyst was regenerated from ferric ion sludge, obtained from the addition of iron salts to precipitate heavy metals. The sludge was dewatered, heated (800 degrees C for 4 h), and ground into smaller particles. The regenerated ferric oxide particles were then used as the oxidation catalyst to destroy CO formation during the combustion of three chlorinated solvents and to suppress dioxin formation in flue gas in a real waste solvent. In the presence of catalyst, the combustion efficiency (ratio of CO(2) to the sum of CO(2) and CO) for chlorobenzene was more than 98% at 850 degrees C in a pilot-scale incinerator. The destruction and removal efficiencies of chlorobenzene, 2,4-dichlorophenol and trichlorofluoroethane were more than three nines. In the absence of catalysts, the flue gas emission from a real waste could not meet the regulatory dioxin standard of 0.1 ng-TEQ/Nm(3) even with the powdered activated carbon injection. The use of catalyst at either 100 or 300 g/h, however, was able to meet the emission standard.     

Effects of sintering atmosphere on cement clinkers produced from chromium-bearing sludge

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sintering atmosphere (oxidizing and reducing) on the polymorphs of dicalcium silicates (Ca2SiO4, C2S) and on the chromium leaching of the belite-rich clinkers made from a chromium-bearing sludge. This sludge was generated in an electroplating factory, and in addition to chromium, it contained nickel, copper and zinc. In the clinker production, air was used as the oxidizing atmosphere, and carbon monoxide, which was produced by burning graphite with an insufficient amount of oxygen, was employed as the reducing atmosphere. Dicalcium silicates were substantially formed under both kinds of sintering atmosphere, but there was some nonhydraulic gamma-C2S in the clinkers produced under the oxidizing atmosphere. In addition, the amount of gamma-C2S decreased with the chromium-bearing sludge addition, whereas that of beta-C2S increased. The clinkers produced under the reducing atmosphere had less residual chromium, a finding that shows that more chromium was evaporated. However, the reducing atmosphere can decrease the proportion of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in the resulting clinkers. For other heavy metals, the residual amounts of nickel and copper generally increased with the sludge addition, but zinc was absent in most of the clinkers produced under the reducing atmosphere. This implies that the evaporation of zinc is much more significant than that of the other heavy metals under a reducing atmosphere. In the leaching tests, the concentrations of nickel, copper, and zinc were below the detection limits in all the leachates. In terms of chromium, the total leaching concentration was highly related to Cr(VI). The clinkers produced under the oxidizing atmosphere had high leaching concentrations of chromium, and thus failed to meet the regulatory limit. In contrast, the reducing atmosphere was effective in decreasing the chromium leaching, and it therefore makes the resulting cement clinkers more environmentally sound.     

Feedstock quality and growth of bioenergy crops fertilized with sewage sludge

Sewage sludge is rich in essential plant nutrients, but its use is restricted for crop production due to the pollutants it contains, such as metalloids and heavy metals. Sludge is also very sticky and compact. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to evaluate (1) the impact of various amounts of sludge on bioenergy crop productivity and quality and (2) the use of peat as an adjuvant to reduce the stickiness, density and nutrient richness of the sludge. Three different applications of sludge were examined, high, low (50% of high) and low mixed with an equal volume of peat. The sludge-peat mix increased significantly leaf area and biomass accumulation of maize and hemp. High sludge and sludge-peat mix applications increased significantly the leaf area and biomass accumulation as well as the net photosynthesis of oilseed rape. High sludge application resulted in the highest heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in maize and hemp. Sludge-peat mix resulted in the highest heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in oilseed rape. However, the sludge-peat mix application provided the best feedstock quality in all three crops, since chloride, silicon and sulfur concentrations and ash content in plant material were the lowest of the three sludge treatments.     

Effects of lime amendment on availability of heavy metals and maturation in sewage sludge composting

A batch composting study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of co-composting sewage sludge with lime, aiming at reducing the availability of heavy metals in the sludge compost. Sewage sludge with sawdust as bulking agent was amended with lime at 0, 0.63, 1.0, and 1.63% w/w, and composted for 100 days in laboratory batch reactors. The changes in temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and extractable heavy metal contents were measured while compost maturity was determined by C/N(organic) and cress seed germination during the composting period. Liming raised pH of compost effectively at the initial stage of composting and caused a decrease in EC through precipitation of soluble ions. Lime amendment also significantly reduced water-soluble and Diethylene triamine pentracetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metal contents. The maximum reductions were 60 and 40% for Cu, 80 and 40% for Mn, 55 and 10% for Zn, and 20 and 25% for Ni at the end of the composting period for the lime-amended sludge as compared to the control. In spite of the inhibitory effect of lime amendment on the decomposition activity of sewage sludge, all treatments reached maturation after 63 days of composting as indicated by the results of C/N(organic) ratio and cress seed germination test results. A lime amendment of < or =1.0% is recommended to co-compost with sewage sludge.     

Revegetation of lagoon ash using the legume species Acacia auriculiformis and Leucaena leucocephala

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the potential use of two legume species, Acacia auriculiformis and Leucaena leucocephala for growth on ameliorated lagoon ash with or without nitrogen (N(2))-fixing bacteria inoculation. Even though amendments of 30% (w/w) vermiculite or with sewage sludge compost were added to improve the chemical and physical limitations of lagoon ash, significant suppressions in biomass and plant nutrient content were found with ameliorated lagoon ash in comparison to an agricultural soil. The high proportion of clay-sized (<53 microm) ash particles limited root growth. In addition, heavy metal toxicity was a possible factor contributing to poor seedling growth. Higher plant productivity resulted from the sewage sludge compost-amended lagoon ash than with vermiculite due to a greater contribution of plant nutrients in the compost. Nodulation was inhibited in ameliorated lagoon ash but not in agricultural soil. High pH and electrical conductivity and elevated toxic metals may be important parameters that limit bacterial activity. Both species showed potential to establish on amended lagoon ash, with Acacia auriculiformis being the best adapted.     

Effect of sludge-amendment or nutrient addition on the biodegradation of the herbicide isoproturon in soil

Adding sludge to agricultural soil results in added organic matter, nutrients and metallic and/or organic pollutants. These components may modify the behaviour of pesticides in the soil. We monitored possible changes in the degradation of the herbicide isoproturon (production of CO2 and degradation products) in soil amended with sludge, heavy metals or nitrogen and phosphorus. The treated and control soils were incubated under controlled conditions for 60 days. The nitrogen and phosphorus had the greatest effect on isoproturon degradation, independent of the presence of pollutants. Mineralisation of the herbicide to CO2 was slow and seemed to be linked to a fast degradation and to the accumulation of a complex degradation product that was neither catabolized nor adsorbed, 4,4'-diisopropylazobenzene. This degradation pathway also produced smaller amounts of non-extractable residues. Sewage sludge had no significant effect on isoproturon degradation, despite a large increase of organic matter mineralisation (factor 2).     

The capture of heavy metals from incineration using a spray dryer integrated with a fabric filter using various additives

This study investigated the effects of feedstock additives [polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and NaCl] and spray dryer additives (SiO2, CaCl2, NaHCO3) on heavy metal and fly ash removal efficiencies, and on particle size distribution of heavy metals. A spray dryer with an integrated fabric filter was used as an air pollution control device (APCD). Removal efficiencies for fly ash and heavy metals were greater than 95 and 90%, respectively. When additives of PVC or NaCl were used, the concentration of heavy metals distributed in fly ash apparently varied when the particle diameter was <1 microm. Although the effects of the additives SiO2, CaCl2, and NaHCO3 on the elemental size distribution of Cr were insignificant, these additives did slightly increase concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Pb partitioning in coarser particles (>1 microm).     

Solubility analysis and disposal options of combustion residues from plants grown on contaminated mining area

Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is an excellent alternative for the partial replacement of fossil fuels in thermal and electric energy production. A new fuel type as biomass for energy utilisation includes ligneous plants with considerable heavy metal content. The combustion process must be controlled during the firing of significant quantities of contaminated biomass grown on brownfield lands. By implementing these measures, air pollution and further soil contamination caused by the disposal of the solid burning residue, the ash, can be prevented. For the test samples from ligneous plants grown on heavy metal-contaminated fields, an ore mine (already closed for 25 years) was chosen. With our focus on the determination of the heavy metal content, we have examined the composition of the soil, the biomass and the combustion by-products (ash, fly ash). Our results confirm that ash resulting from the combustion must be treated as toxic waste and its deposition must take place on hazardous waste disposal sites. Biomass of these characteristics can be burnt in special combustion facility that was equipped with means for the disposal of solid burning residues as well as air pollutants.     

电镀污泥回收重金属的新工艺

合理、经济地处理混合电镀污泥,回收其中有价值的金属具有重要意义。以不同的酸作为浸出剂对电镀污泥中的金属进行了浸出效果实验。结果表明,在相同条件下,各酸的浸出效果顺序为:硫酸>盐酸>王水>硝酸;液体水与固体电镀污泥比为3,干污泥为5 g,硫酸加入量为15 mL,时间1 h条件下,混合电镀污泥中金属铜锌的浸出率最大,达到97.38%。分别采用铁和铁锰合金还原剂常温还原低熔点重金属离子铜、锌,浸出液中99%以上含量的铜、锌沉淀,使低熔点重金属与黑色金属铁、锰、铬有效分离。低熔点混合重金属可以用来做铜合金添加剂使用,最后沉淀的混合黑色金属氢氧化物处理后可以用来做炼钢合金添加剂使用。