Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission from co-firing municipal solid waste (MSW) and coal in a fluidized bed incinerator

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) emissions from a commercial municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) were studied. A MSW–coal mixture and coal only were used as fuel for the fluidized bed incinerator. Seven sampling points were chosen according to the classified four PAH emission pathways: flue gas, residue, ash and water. The mixture of MSW and coal resulted in PAH emission more than that of coal only, and PAH emission increased with increasing MSW mass percentage. Calcium oxide (CaO) or calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was added as a desulfurizer. PAH emission also changed with different desulfurizers because of their different influences on heat balance. The PAH toxic equivalent (TEQ) of all operating conditions was also examined, showing that total daily PAH emission from MSWI can be determined.