An LCA model for waste incineration enhanced with new technologies for metal recovery and application to the case of Switzerland

A process model of municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) and new technologies for metal recovery from combustion residues was developed. The environmental impact is modeled as a function of waste composition as well as waste treatment and material recovery technologies. The model includes combustion with a grate incinerator, several flue gas treatment technologies, electricity and steam production from waste heat recovery, metal recovery from slag and fly ash, and landfilling of residues and can be tailored to specific plants and sites (software tools can be downloaded free of charge). Application of the model to Switzerland shows that the treatment of one tonne of municipal solid waste results on average in 425 kg CO₂-eq. generated in the incineration process, and 54 kg CO₂-eq. accrue in upstream processes such as waste transport and the production of operating materials. Downstream processes, i.e. residue disposal, generates 5 kg CO₂-eq. Savings from energy recovery are in the range of 67 to 752 kg CO₂-eq. depending on the assumptions regarding the substituted energy production, while the recovery of metals from slag and fly ash currently results in a net saving of approximately 35 kg CO₂-eq. A similar impact pattern is observed when assessing the MSWI model for aggregated environmental impacts (ReCiPe) and for non-renewable resource consumption (cumulative exergy demand), except that direct emissions have less and no relevance, respectively, on the total score. The study illustrates that MSWI plants can be an important element of industrial ecology as they provide waste disposal services and can help to close material and energetic cycles.     

Ageing of chromium(III)-bearing slag and its relation to the atmospheric oxidation of solid chromium(III)-oxide in the presence of calcium oxide

Slag arising in ferrochromium and stainless steel production is known to contain residual levels of trivalent chromium. As the chromium is normally bound in the slag matrix in various silicate or spinel phases, and hence not easily mobilised, utilisation or controlled disposal of such slag is generally considered unproblematic. Experimental test work with a number of slag materials indicates, however, that very gradual oxidation of trivalent to hexavalent chromium does occur when the slag is exposed to atmospheric oxygen, rendering a quantifiable but small portion of chromium in this much more mobile and toxic form. Mechanisms and rates of the oxidation reaction were investigated in a number of long-term studies using both original slag materials and artificial mixes of chromium and calcium oxides. Powders of these materials, some of them rolled into balls, were left to age under different conditions for periods of up to 12 months. In the slag samples, which contained between 1 and 3 wt.% chromium, 1000–10 000 μg Cr(VI) were found per gram of chromium within 6–9 months of exposure to an ambient atmosphere. The rate of the oxidation reaction decreased exponentially, and the reaction could generally be said to have ceased within 12 months. In mixtures of calcium and chromium oxides the oxidation reaction is presumed to occur at the boundaries between chromium oxide and calcium oxide phases through diffusion of oxygen along the grain boundaries and of Cr³⁺ across the boundaries, resulting in the formation of calcium chromate. In the slags, where calcium and chromium oxide can form a solid solution, the oxidation is likely to occur at the exposed surface of grains containing this solution.     

Alteration of a Mn-rich slag in contact with soil: In-situ experiment during one year

A Mn-rich slag sample coming from a pyrometallurgical plant recycling alkaline batteries was submitted to environmental conditions during one year. After crushing, the slag was buried in topsoil and the leachate was periodically collected in order to monitor the leached amounts of metallic elements (ME). Results evidenced a low release of the slag constituents (Mn: < 0.01%). The SEM/EDS investigations did not show alteration features supposing a weak dissolution of the primary phases (tephroite, bustamite and leucite). The modification of the pH induced by the slag enhanced the mobility of soil components and of the organic matter, particularly in the vicinity of the soil/slag contact zone. This suggested that the slag indirectly influenced the ME mobility through the organic matter and colloidal transports. The comparison with a classical laboratory column test evidenced the underestimation of the leached amounts due to the differences of operational conditions.     

Towards zero industrial waste: Utilisation of brick dust waste in sustainable construction

Laboratory investigations were carried out to establish the potential utilisation of brick dust (BD) in construction. The dust is a waste material from the cutting of fired clay bricks. Currently, the disposal of the dust is a problem to the brick fabrication company, and hence an environmental pollution concern. The dust was stabilised either used on its own or in combination with Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA), a by-product material from coal combustion. The traditional stabilisers of lime and/or Portland Cement (PC) were used as controls. The main aim was to use a sustainable stabiliser material, where these stabilisers were partially replaced with Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS), a by-product material from steel manufacture. Compacted cylinder test specimens were made at typical stabiliser contents and moist cured for up to 56 days prior to testing for compressive and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) strength tests, and to linear expansion during moist curing and subsequent soaking in water. The results obtained showed that partial substitution of the dust with PFA resulted in stronger material compared to using it on its own. The blended stabilisers achieved better performance. These results suggest technological, economic as well as environmental advantages of using the brick dust and similar industrial by-products to achieve sustainable infrastructure development with near zero industrial waste.     

我国典型电解锰企业锰渣环境管理对策分析

为掌握我国典型电解锰企业锰渣产生情况、理化性质以及环境管理现状,选择数家典型电解锰企业开展环境管理情况调研,并对锰渣的理化性质进行测试分析。结合我国国情,提出我国典型电解锰企业锰渣环境管理对策建议。     

Environmental protection by utilization of the slag from magnesium production in building materials

This paper presents the results of research on the utilization of slag produced as the waste material of metallic magnesium production. This material is a fine powder with a high magnesium content. The characterization of slag was performed by XRD, DTA and TG analysis. Chemical composition and mechanical properties of slag were also determined. By using a mixture this slag and limestone aggregate, it is possible to obtain dry mortar which, mixed with water, gives a material fully satisfying for plastering mortar. By adding inorganic pigments (Fe₂O₃, Ca₂O3, etc.) decorative mortars are obtained, and when they are spread over the foundation made of brick or concrete, they retain their colour on the entire coating and surface of the mortar.     

锅炉结渣的原因分析及调整

本文介绍中间储仓式锅炉炉膛的结构,结合锅炉制粉系统的结构和炉膛燃烧特性,找出锅炉燃烧时引起结渣的因素,以及对这些结渣因素进行深入分析。提出解决锅炉燃烧结渣的对策。     

炉渣吸附法处理硝基废水的研究

对炉渣吸附废水中的硝基苯类物质进行了研究 ,考查了 p H值、搅拌速度、炉渣量、吸附时间等因素对吸附量的影响。结果表明 ,p H值是影响吸附效果的最主要因素。吸附机理是多孔物质和静电作用的过程。