Dioxin and Furan Reduction Technologies for Combustion and Industrial Thermal Process Facilities

Abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) are formed unintentionally as byproducts of many combustion and industrial thermal processes. Today PCDD/PCDF is known as one of the most toxic group of anthropogenic organic substances. Furthermore, it is perceived to be carcinogenic. Although many questions about the toxicological effects of PCDD/PCDF are still unanswered, all possible reduction measures should be taken to minimize their release into the environment. PCDD/PCDF are also included in the United Nations’ developing international treaty on the ban of several Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and thus are of particular global concern. Consequently, reduction technologies for PCDD/PCDF are needed not only for densely populated urban areas but also in rural regions where the world population’s food is produced. The uptake of PCDD/PCDF via the food chain must be considered to be the major pathway of exposure for humans as well as for animals.

After a brief presentation of the regulatory and technical background, this chapter will give an overview of the formation routes of PCDD/PCDF in combustion and other industrial thermal processes. Some of the most important sources of PCDD/PCDDF emissions are also described. Second, the most commonly applied PCDD/PCDF control technologies will be presented for various types of waste incinerators and other industrial thermal processes to demonstrate today’s state-of-the-art flue gas cleaning technology. Modern municipal solid waste (MSW) combustors, hazardous waste incinerators, and sewage sludge incinerators as well as an iron ore sintering facility provide actual examples of full-scale systems in operation. The final part of the chapter will give an outlook towards newly developed PCDD/PCDF abatement technologies for more economical PCDD/PCDF reduction.