Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization of fly ash from a circulating fluidized bed incinerator of municipal solid waste

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Treatment and disposal of fly ash in China are becoming increasingly difficult, since its production has steadily risen and its features are uncertain. The excess pollutant components of fly ash are the key factor affecting its treatment and resource utilization. In this study, fly ash samples collected from a power plant with circulating fluidized incinerators of municipal solid waste (MSW) located in Shandong Province (eastern China) were studied. The results showed that there were no obvious seasonal differences in properties of fly ash. The content of total salt, Zn, and pH exceeded the national standards and low-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (Fs) were the main organic components of fly ash for this power plant, which posed great threats to the surrounding environment. The amount of Zn of fly ash was higher than other heavy metals, which should be due to alkaline batteries of MSW. The leachate of fly ash had low concentrations of heavy metals and the main soluble components were sulfates and chlorides. The major mineral crystals of fly ash were SiO2, CaSO4, and Fe2O3. The main organic pollutants were low-ring PAHs, polychlorinated PCDDs, and low-chlorinated PCDFs, and concentrations were lower than the limiting values of the national regulations. Additionally, the distribution of PCDD/Fs had either a positive or a negative linear correlation with fly ash and flue gas, which was associated with the chlorinated degree of PCDD/Fs. The analysis was conducted to fully understand the properties of fly ash and to take appropriate methods for further comprehensive utilization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abanades S, Flamant G, Gagnepain B, Gauthier D (2002) Fate of heavy metals during municipal solid waste incineration. Waste Manag Res 20(1):55–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmaruzzaman M (2010) A review on the utilization of fly ash. Prog Energy Combust Sci 36(3):327–363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D6357-00a (2000) Standard test methods for trace elements in coal, coke and combustion residues from coal utilization processes by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission, inductively coupled plasma mass and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubert J, Husson B, Sarramone N (2006) Utilization of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash in blended cement: part 1: processing and characterization of MSWI fly ash. J Hazard Mater 136(3):624–631

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayanda OS, Fatoki OS, Adekola FA, Ximba BJ (2013) Utilization of nSiO2, fly ash, and nSiO2/fly ash composite for the remediation of triphenyltin (TPT) from contaminated seawater. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20(11):8172–8181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharyya S, Donahoe RJ, Patel D (2009) Experimental study of chemical treatment of coal fly ash to reduce the mobility of priority trace elements. Fuel 88(7):1173–1184

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonfanti L, Michele GD, Riccardi J, Lopez-Doriga E (1994) Influence of coal type and operating conditions on the formation of incomplete combustion products. Pilot plant experiments. Combust Sci Technol 101(1–6):505–525

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang Y-M, Fan W-P, Dai W-C, Hsi H-C, Wu C-H, Chen C-H (2011) Characteristics of PCDD/F content in fly ash discharged from municipal solid waste incinerators. J Hazard Mater 192(2):521–529

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Yan J, Lu S, Li X, Gu Y, Dai H, Ni M, Cen K (2008) Characteristic of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in fly ash from incinerators in china. J Hazard Mater 150(3):510–514

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Zhao R, Xue J, Li J (2013) Generation and distribution of PAHs in the process of medical waste incineration. Waste Manag 33(5):1165–1173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chou J-D, Wey M-Y, Chang S-H (2008) Emission of Pb and PAHs from thermally co-treated MSWI fly ash and bottom ash process. J Hazard Mater 150(1):27–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cobo M, Gálvez A, Conesa JA, Montes de Correa C (2009) Characterization of fly ash from a hazardous waste incinerator in Medellin, Colombia. J Hazard Mater 168(2):1223–1232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Casa G, Mangialardi T, Paolini A, Piga L (2007) Physical-mechanical and environmental properties of sintered municipal incinerator fly ash. Waste Manag 27(2):238–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Environmental Monitoring Center of Shandong Province (2008) Environmental Protection Acceptance Monitoring Report of Construction Project Completion, LHJZ7-2008, in China

  • Ferreira C, Ribeiro A, Ottosen L (2003) Possible applications for municipal solid waste fly ash. J Hazard Mater 96(2):201–216

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher GL, Prentice BA, Silberman D, Ondov JM, Biermann AH, Ragaini RC, McFarland AR (1978) Physical and morphological studies of size-classified coal fly ash. Environ Sci Technol 12(4):447–451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forest Bureau of the People’s Republic of China (1999) Analysis methods of water soluble salts of forest soil, LY/T1251-1999, in China

  • Gangadhara Rao MVBB, Kolay P, Singh D (1998) Thermal characteristics of a class F fly ash. Cem Concr Res 28(6):841–846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ham S-Y, Kim Y-J, Lee D-H (2008) Leaching characteristics of PCDDs/DFs and dioxin-like PCBs from landfills containing municipal solid waste and incineration residues. Chemosphere 70(9):1685–1693

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu Y, Zhang P, Chen D, Zhou B, Li J, X-w L (2012) Hydrothermal treatment of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash for dioxin decomposition. J Hazard Mater 207:79–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu H-Y, Liu H, Shen W-Q, Luo G-Q, Li A-J, Lu Z-L, Yao H (2013) Comparison of CaO’s effect on the fate of heavy metals during thermal treatment of two typical types of MSWI fly ashes in China. Chemosphere 93(4):590–596

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iyer R, Scott J (2001) Power station fly ash—a review of value-added utilization outside of the construction industry. Resour Conserv Recycl 31(3):217–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kikuchi R (1999) Application of coal ash to environmental improvement: transformation into zeolite, potassium fertilizer, and FGD absorbent. Resour Conserv Recycl 27(4):333–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby CS, Rimstidt JD (1994) Interaction of municipal solid waste ash with water. Environ Sci Technol 28(3):443–451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kulkarni PS, Crespo JG, Afonso CA (2008) Dioxins sources and current remediation technologies—a review. Environ Int 34(1):139–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lam CH, Ip AW, Barford JP, McKay G (2010) Use of incineration MSW ash: a review. Sustainability 2(7):1943–1968

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le Forestier L, Libourel G (1998) Characterization of flue gas residues from municipal solid waste combustors. Environ Sci Technol 32(15):2250–2256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Xiang J, Hu S, Sun L-S, Su S, Li P-S, Sun X-X (2004) Characterization of solid residues from municipal solid waste incinerator. Fuel 83(10):1397–1405

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Zhang ZX, Liu SM, Su JX (2012a) Properties of slag and ash from the incinerator in biomass power plants. Adv Mater Res 512:579–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Yu C, Bai J, Wang Q, Luo Z (2012b) Heavy metal characterization of circulating fluidized bed derived biomass ash. J Hazard Mater 233:41–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao W-P, Yang R, Kuo W-T, Huang J-Y (2014) The application of electrocoagulation for the conversion of MSWI fly ash into nonhazardous materials. J Environ Manag 137:157–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Li Y, Li X, Jiang Y (2008) Leaching behavior of heavy metals and PAHs from MSWI bottom ash in a long-term static immersing experiment. Waste Manag 28(7):1126–1136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y-y, Wang J-j, Lin X, Wang L-a, Zhong S, Yang W (2012) Microstructures and thermal properties of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash. J Cent South Univ 19:855–862

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes H, Trindade T, Gulyurtlu I, Cabrita I (2001) Characterisation of FBC ashes from co-combustion of coal with oily residues. Fuel 80(6):785–793

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu S-Y, Du Y, Yan J-H, Li X-D, Ni M-J, Cen K-F (2012) Dioxins and their fingerprint in size-classified fly ash fractions from municipal solid waste incinerators in China—mechanical grate and fluidized bed units. J Air Waste Manage Assoc 62(6):717–724

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mangialardi T (2001) Sintering of MSW fly ash for reuse as a concrete aggregate. J Hazard Mater 87(1):225–239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2004) Methods for chemical analysis of tin concentrates—determination of water content—the weighing method, GB1819.1-2004, in China

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2005) Fly ash used for cement and concrete, GB/T1596-2005, in China

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2007a) Identification standards for hazardous wastes—general specifications, GB5085.7-2007

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2007b) Identification standards for hazardous wastes—identification for extraction toxicity, GB5085.3-2007, in China

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2007c) Solid waste—extraction procedure for leaching toxicity–sulphuric acid & nitric acid metho HJ/T299-2007, in China

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2007d) Standard of soil quality assessment for exhibition sites, HJ350-2007, in China

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2007e) Identification standards for hazardous wastes—identification for corrosivity, GB5085.1-2007, in China

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2007f) Identification standards for hazardous wastes—identification for toxic substance content, GB5085.6-2007, in China

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (2008) Solid waste determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinateddibenzofurans (PCDFs) isotope dilution HRGC-HRMS, HJ77.3-2008, in China

  • Page A, Elseewi AA, Straughan I (1979) Physical and chemical properties of fly ash from coal-fired power plants with reference to environmental impacts. In: Residue reviews. Springer, pp 83–120

  • Pan Y, Wu Z, Zhou J, Zhao J, Ruan X, Liu J, Qian G (2013) Chemical characteristics and risk assessment of typical municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash in China. J Hazard Mater 261:269–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pergal MM, Relić D, Tešić ŽL, Popović AR (2014) Leaching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from power plant lignite ash—influence of parameters important for environmental pollution. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21(5):3435–3442

  • Qian G, Cao Y, Chui P, Tay J (2006) Utilization of MSWI fly ash for stabilization/solidification of industrial waste sludge. J Hazard Mater 129(1):274–281

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rémond S, Pimienta P, Bentz D (2002) Effects of the incorporation of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash in cement pastes and mortars: I. Experimental study. Cem Concr Res 32(2):303–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahu S, Bhangare R, Ajmal P, Sharma S, Pandit G, Puranik V (2009) Characterization and quantification of persistent organic pollutants in fly ash from coal fueled thermal power stations in India. Microchem J 92(1):92–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shen C, Tang X, Yao J, Shi D, Fang J, Khan MI, Cheema SA, Chen Y (2010) Levels and patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in municipal waste incinerator bottom ash in Zhejiang Province, China. J Hazard Mater 179(1):197–202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheng G, Zhai J, Li Q, Li F (2007) Utilization of fly ash coming from a CFBC boiler co-firing coal and petroleum coke in Portland cement. Fuel 86(16):2625–2631

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi H-S, Kan L-L (2009) Leaching behavior of heavy metals from municipal solid wastes incineration (MSWI) fly ash used in concrete. J Hazard Mater 164(2):750–754

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi D-Z, Wu W-X, Lu S-Y, Chen T, Huang H-L, Chen Y-X, Yan J-H (2008) Effect of MSW source-classified collection on the emission of PCDDs/Fs and heavy metals from incineration in China. J Hazard Mater 153(1):685–694

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shigemoto N, Hayashi H, Miyaura K (1993) Selective formation of Na-X zeolite from coal fly ash by fusion with sodium hydroxide prior to hydrothermal reaction. J Mater Sci 28(17):4781–4786

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai P-J, Shieh H-Y, Lee W-J, Lai S-O (2002) Characterization of PAHs in the atmosphere of carbon black manufacturing workplaces. J Hazard Mater 91(1):25–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Herck P, Van der Bruggen B, Vogels G, Vandecasteele C (2000) Application of computer modelling to predict the leaching behavior of heavy metals from MSWI fly ash and comparison with a sequential extraction method. Waste Manag 20(2):203–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wan X, Wang W, Ye T, Guo Y, Gao X (2006) A study on the chemical and mineralogical characterization of MSWI fly ash using a sequential extraction procedure. J Hazard Mater 134(1):197–201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S (2008) Application of solid ash based catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis. Environ Sci Technol 42(19):7055–7063

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Wu H (2006) Environmental-benign utilisation of fly ash as low-cost adsorbents. J Hazard Mater 136(3):482–501

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wey M-Y, Ou W-Y, Liu Z-S, Tseng H-H, Yang W-Y, Chiang B-C (2001) Pollutants in incineration flue gas. J Hazard Mater 82(3):247–262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang W, Han B, Zhou D, Nzihou A (2012) Physicochemical properties and heavy metals leachability of fly ash from coal-fired power plant. Int J Min Sci Technol 22(3):405–409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan J, Chen T, Li X, Zhang J, Lu S, Ni M, Cen K (2006) Evaluation of PCDD/Fs emission from fluidized bed incinerators co-firing MSW with coal in China. J Hazard Mater 135(1):47–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao J, Li W, Xia F, Zheng Y, Fang C, Shen D (2012) Heavy metals and PCDD/Fs in solid waste incinerator fly ash in Zhejiang province, China: chemical and bio-analytical characterization. Environ Monit Assess 184(6):3711–3720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • You X (2008) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission from co-firing municipal solid waste (MSW) and coal in a fluidized bed incinerator. Waste Manag 28(9):1543–1551

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Youcai Z, Lijie S, Guojian L (2002) Chemical stabilization of MSW incinerator fly ashes. J Hazard Mater 95(1):47–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan C-G (2009) Leaching characteristics of metals in fly ash from coal-fired power plant by sequential extraction procedure. Microchim Acta 165(1–2):91–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang ZX, Li Q, Liu SM, Su JX (2012) Organic pollutant of PAHs and dioxins on the MSWI fly ash. Adv Mater Res 518:3599–3604

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by Science and Technology Development Plan of Shandong Province (No. 2012GGE27098). Thanks to Dr. Edward C. Mignot, Shandong University, for linguistic advice, and Analysis and Test Center in Shandong for samples’ tests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China

    Lin Zhang, Zhixuan Zhang, Siming Liu, Yuxin Xiao, Mingming Sun & Jixin Su

  2. School of Ocean Biology, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209, China

    Xiaowen Su

Authors
  1. Lin Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiaowen Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhixuan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Siming Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yuxin Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mingming Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jixin Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jixin Su.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Constantini Samara

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, L., Su, X., Zhang, Z. et al. Characterization of fly ash from a circulating fluidized bed incinerator of municipal solid waste. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 12767–12779 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3241-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3241-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation