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Abstract
In an effort to identify new sources of critical raw materials (CRMs) possibility of recovering selected CRMs from Polish coals, chars, and ashes resulting from the combustion of coals and chars was investigated. The samples were collected from pilot fluidized bed gasification systems. The search for CRMs in coal gasification wastes has not been widely reported before. The study used 2 bituminous coal and 1 lignite sample; the concentration of individual critical raw materials (CRMs) was analyzed using the ICP-MS method. The obtained results were compared with Clarke values in coal ash and in the Earth’s crust, and with the adopted cut-off grade. As shown by the analysis, the highest concentrations of CRMs can be found in fly ash, mainly in samples from the eastern part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. This applies mostly to Be, Cs, or Sb due to the fact that their concentrations were found to be higher than the Clarke value in the Earth’s crust; the mentioned fly ashes could be used as potential sources of critical elements if appropriate recovery technologies are developed. In addition, the tested materials have elevated Se, Pb, Ni concentrations, but their recovery is currently not economically viable. Compared to the currently adopted cut-off grade levels, there are no critical elements in the analyzed coal gasification waste that could be recovered.
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Quina MJ, Bontempi E, Bogush A, Schlumberger S, Weibel G, Braga R, Funari V, Hyks J, Rasmussen E, Lederer J. Technologies for the management of MSW incineration ashes from gas cleaning: New perspectives on recovery of secondary raw materials and circular economy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 635:526-542. [PMID: 29679825 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Environmental policies in the European Union focus on the prevention of hazardous waste and aim to mitigate its impact on human health and ecosystems. However, progress is promoting a shift in perspective from environmental impacts to resource recovery. Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) has been increasing in developed countries, thus the amount of air pollution control residues (APCr) and fly ashes (FA) have followed the same upward trend. APCr from MSWI is classified as hazardous waste in the List of Waste (LoW) and as an absolute entry (19 01 07*), but FA may be classified as a mirror entry (19 0 13*/19 01 14). These properties arise mainly from their content in soluble salts, potentially toxic metals, trace organic pollutants and high pH in contact with water. Since these residues have been mostly disposed of in underground and landfills, other possibilities must be investigated to recover secondary raw materials and products. According to the literature, four additional routes of recovery have been found: detoxification (e.g. washing), product manufacturing (e.g. ceramic products and cement), practical applications (e.g. CO2 sequestration) and recovery of materials (e.g. Zn and salts). This work aims to identify the best available technologies for material recovery in order to avoid landfill solutions. Within this scope, six case studies are presented and discussed: recycling in lightweight aggregates, glass-ceramics, cement, recovery of zinc, rare metals and salts. Finally, future perspectives are provided to advance understanding of this anthropogenic waste as a source of resources, yet tied to safeguards for the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida J Quina
- CIEPQPF - Research Centre on Chemical Processes Engineering and Forest Products, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Silvio Lima, Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Elza Bontempi
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Anna Bogush
- Centre for Resource Efficiency & the Environment (CREE), Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering (CEGE), University College London (UCL), Chadwick Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Stefan Schlumberger
- Development Center for Sustainable Management of Recyclable Waste and Resources (ZAR), Wildbachstrasse 2, 8340 Hinwil, Switzerland.
| | - Gisela Weibel
- Development Center for Sustainable Management of Recyclable Waste and Resources (ZAR), Wildbachstrasse 2, 8340 Hinwil, Switzerland.
| | - Roberto Braga
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Piazza di Porta San Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Valerio Funari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Piazza di Porta San Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Jiri Hyks
- Danish Waste Solutions ApS, Agern Allé 3, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark.
| | - Erik Rasmussen
- Stena Recycling AS, Banemarksvej 40, DK-2605 Brøndby, Denmark.
| | - Jakob Lederer
- TU Wien, Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Anthropogenic Resources, Karlsplatz 13/226, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
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