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

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 20, pages 7917–7925 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The described work was carried out as part of the TÁMOP-4.2.1.B-10/2/KONV-2010-0001 project. The realisation of this project is supported by the European Union, co-financed by the European Social Fund.

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  1. Department of Combustion Technology, University of Miskolc, Miskolc, Hungary

    Helga Kovacs, Katalin Szemmelveisz & Arpad Bence Palotas

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  1. Helga Kovacs
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  2. Katalin Szemmelveisz
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  3. Arpad Bence Palotas
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Correspondence to Helga Kovacs.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Kovacs, H., Szemmelveisz, K. & Palotas, A.B. Solubility analysis and disposal options of combustion residues from plants grown on contaminated mining area. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 7917–7925 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1673-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1673-2

Keywords

  • Plant
  • Combustion
  • Heavy metal
  • Disposal options