Reducing Sb-leaching from municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash by addition of sorbent minerals

This paper investigates the mechanisms controlling Sb-leaching from fresh Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator (MSWI) bottom ash, as well as the possibilities of controlling the extent of Sb-leaching by the addition of sorbent minerals to the bottom ash. In alkaline MSWI bottom ash Sb is possibly incorporated in ettringite-like minerals. When weathering/carbonation continues the ettringite dissolves resulting in a mobilisation of Sb. At neutral pH values the leaching of Sb is likely to be controlled by sorption to amorphous Fe/Al-(hydr)oxides. It has been shown that Sb can effectively be removed from solution if salts of Fe(III) or Al(III) are added to the bottom ash. This addition of Fe(III)/Al(III)-salts leads to (1) the in-situ precipitation of Fe/Al-hydroxides and sorption/coprecipitation of contaminants such as Sb, and (2) a lower bottom ash pH and thus an increased affinity of oxyanions for sorption to Fe/Al-(hydr)oxides.     

Carbonation processes in municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash and their effect on the leaching of copper and molybdenum

The interaction of CO₂ with municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) bottom ash was studied in order to investigate the resulting changes in pH and bottom ash mineralogy and the impact that these changes have on the mobility of Cu and Mo. Carefully controlled carbonation experiments were performed on bottom ash suspensions and on filtered bottom ash leachates. Changes in leachate composition were interpreted with the geochemical model MINTEQA2, and neoformed minerals were investigated by means of chemical and spectroscopic analysis. The leaching of Cu and Mo during artificial carbonation is compared to the leachability of Cu and Mo from a sample of naturally carbonated bottom ash from the same incinerator. During carbonation in the laboratory, a precipitate was formed that consisted mainly of Al-rich amorphous material, calcite, and possibly gibbsite. Carbonation to pH ≈8.3 resulted in a reduction of more than 50% in Cu leaching, and a reduction of less than 3% in Mo leaching. The reduction in Cu leaching is attributed to sorption to the neoformed amorphous Al-minerals. During natural weathering/carbonation of bottom ash, additional sorption sites are formed which further reduce the leaching of Cu and Mo on a time scale of months to years.     

Petrogenesis of municipal solid waste combustion bottom ash

A petrographic study was conducted on a suite of bottom ash particles from 3 different modern municipal solid waste combustors. The object of the study was to evaluate the mineralogical characteristics and formation process of the bottom ash by using standard geological techniques of light microscopy, electron microscopy, and X-ray microanalysis. This information was subsequently used to model the bottom ash petrogenesis based upon an examination of the mineralogy, melt structure, and composition of the ash.Bottom ash can be divided into two major groups: 1) refractory waste products and 2) melt products. The refractory waste products consist largely of rock and mineral fragments, various waste metals, and unmelted glass shards. The melt products consist of two distinct glasses: 1) isotropic glass, and 2) opaque glass. Complex silicate minerals are precipitated from and are abundant in the isotropic glass whereas both metal oxide and silicate minerals are precipitated from the opaque glass.The isotropic and opaque glasses formed simultaneously in different locations on the combustor grate. The contrast in melting (liquidus) temperatures shown by these glasses suggests that the isotropic melts were produced at localized hot spots (1500°C to 1650°C) and the opaque melts formed at cold spots (1150°C to 1400°C) on the grate. This could be the result of heterogeneous distribution of combustible municipal solid waste on the grate or from localized hot spots where air is introduced through the grates. In some instances the two glasses then had the opportunity to variably mix with each other. Fe-oxides represent waste metal fragments that were assimilated by melting and later recrystallized.Bottom ash is produced via a co-mingled two melt system that forms melilite-bearing, alkaline, volcanic-like rocks. The great similarity of the bottom ash residues between these 3 different MSW combustors suggests that, despite variable combustor designs and heterogeneous waste feed, high temperature combustion of MSW produces bottom ash of fairly uniform composition and structure that formed via the petrogenetic process described above. Alterations to the combustion process or implementations of secondary treatment technologies may render the bottom ash residue into a more environmentally stable material better suited for aggregate or long term secure disposal in landfills.     

Stabilization of desert sands using municipal solid waste incinerator ash

This paper presents experimental results on the use of incinerator ash in stabilizing desert sands for possible use in geotechnical engineering applications. The incinerator ash was added in percentages of 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12%, by dry weight of sand. Laboratory tests such as compaction, unconfined compression, shear box and hydraulic conductivity were performed to measure the engineering characteristics of the stabilized material. The results showed substantial improvements in unconfined compressive strength and shear strength parameters (c and φ). Thus, incinerator ash can be used to improve the shear strength characteristics of desert sands. The permeability of the sand–incinerator ash mixture was relatively low.     

垃圾焚烧飞灰水泥固化体强度稳定性研究

针对垃圾焚烧飞灰安全处置技术要求,采用水泥对其进行固化、稳定化处理,研究了不同水泥添加量、不同养护时间和渗沥液浸泡时间对固化体无侧限抗压强度及破坏特性的影响,并对垃圾渗沥液的侵蚀机制进行了分析。结果表明：当水泥添加量小于5%,养护时间小于3 d时,飞灰固化体在渗沥液浸泡下迅速解体,垃圾渗沥液的侵蚀对飞灰固化体的强度有较大的影响,浸泡后的固化体呈现出明显的应变软化特征,而未经浸泡的固化体的强度增长符合y=a[1-exp(-bt)]模式。随着水泥添加量及养护时间的增加,飞灰固化体无侧限抗压强度增加,破坏应变减小,而随着浸泡时间的增加,飞灰固化体的无侧限抗压强度先增大后减小,转折点大约在5～7 d,破坏应变近似呈线性增大。渗沥液对飞灰固化体的侵蚀主要是其成分抑制了固化体水化反应和破坏了水化产物。研究成果可为垃圾焚烧飞灰的安全处置技术提供理论依据和参数支持。     

The leaching of major and trace elements from MSWI bottom ash as a function of pH and time

In this paper, the leaching behaviour of major components (Al, Ca, SO₄, Mg, Si, Fe, Na and DOC) and trace elements (Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo and Sb) from MSWI bottom ash is studied as a function of time over a wide range of pH, under pH-controlled conditions. Equilibrium geochemical modelling using the modelling framework ORCHESTRA is used to enable a process-based interpretation of the results and to investigate whether ‘equilibrium’ is attained during the time scale of the experiments. Depending on the element and setpoint-pH value, net concentration increases or decreases of up to one order of magnitude were observed. Different concentration–time trends (increase or decrease) are observed in different pH ranges. The direction of the concentration–time trends depends on: (1) the shape of the ‘equilibrium’ solubility curve, and (2) the position of the setpoint-pH in the leaching test relative to the natural pH of the sample. Although the majority of the elements do not reach steady state, leached concentrations over a wide pH range have been shown to closely approach ‘equilibrium’ model curves within an equilibration time of 168 h. The different effects that leaching kinetics may have on the pH dependent leaching patterns have been identified for a wide range of elements, and can generally be explained in a mechanistic way. The results are in support of the currently prescribed equilibration time of 48 h in the European standard for the pH-static leaching test (TS14997). Finally, this study demonstrates that pH-static leaching experiments such as described in the European standards (TS14497 and TS14429), in combination with selective chemical extractions and a mechanistically based modelling approach, constitute a powerful set of tools for the characterization of leaching processes in waste materials over a wide range of conditions.     

Investigation of mercury levels in soil around a municipal solid waste incinerator in Shenzhen,China

Within the management hierarchy of municipal solid waste (MSW), incineration with energy recovery is a desired and viable option often used in densely populated and economically developed cities. The gaseous and particulate mercury (Hg) emitted from MSW incinerators may accumulate in the soil entering via dry and wet deposition. To investigate the soil Hg level and estimate the effects of the local meteorological and topographical characteristics (e.g., winds and terrain) on the soil Hg distribution, two layers of soil samples around an MSW incinerator in Shenzhen, China were collected and analyzed. Results showed that the Hg levels ranged from 0.012 to 0.136 mg kg⁻¹ and from 0.013 to 0.100 mg kg⁻¹ in the surface and subsurface soils, respectively. Long-term exposure of the soil to atmospheric Hg from the MSW incinerator dominates the spatial pattern of soil Hg. The wind frequency directly affected Hg distribution but not decisively. Interestingly, the variations of Hg level with downwind distance away from the stack were highly consistent with the terrain profile (r ²: 0.412–0.748). The effects of winds and terrain on soil Hg distribution and their mechanisms are discussed and general Hg dispersion patterns for transport on terrain are further proposed.     

Speciation of trace metals in leachate from a MSWI bottom ash landfill

Trace metal concentrations and speciation were determined in leachate from a municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash landfill both experimentally and by thermodynamic model calculations. Total dissolved Cr, Sb and W concentrations determined directly by ICP-MS were up to two orders of magnitude higher than that determined upon preconcentration by anin-situ solid phase extraction technique based on 8-HQ cation exchanger which indicates oxyanion complex formation of these metals in the leachates. Speciation modeling suggests that a similar difference for Cu is caused by organic complexation. Lead and Zn concentrations determined by both methods were fairly comparable but very low, in the range 4–60 nmol l⁻¹. The low mobility of both metals can be modeled by assuming adsorption onto Fe-oxyhydroxides oxycoprecipitation with Ca-silicate hydrate phases. The resulting high retardation coefficients between 500 and 800 indicate that scavenging by these secondary weathering products in the MSWI bottom ash deposit can cause an efficient immobilization of both Pb and Zn.     

Shear strength characterization of municipal solid waste at the Suzhou landfill, China

The current practice of slope stability analysis for a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill usually overlooks the dependence of waste properties on the fill age or embedment depth. Changes in shear strength of MSW as a function of fill age were investigated by performing field and laboratory studies on the Suzhou landfill in China. The field study included sampling from five boreholes advanced to the bottom of the landfill, cone penetration tests and monitoring of pore fluid pressures. Twenty-six borehole samples representative of different fill ages (0 to 13 years) were used to perform drained triaxial compression tests. The field and laboratory study showed that the waste body in the landfill can be sub-divided into several strata corresponding to different ranges of fill age. Each of the waste strata has individual composition and shear strength characteristics. The triaxial test results showed that the MSW samples exhibited a strain-hardening and contractive behavior. As the fill age of the waste increased from 1.7 years to 11 years, the cohesion mobilized at a strain level of 10% was found to decrease from 23.3 kPa to 0 kPa, and the mobilized friction angle at the same strain level increasing from 9.9° to 26°. For a confinement stress level greater than 50 kPa, the shear strength of the recently-placed MSW seemed to be lower than that of the older MSW. This behavior was consistent with the cone penetration test results. The field measurement of pore pressures revealed a perched leachate mound above an intermediate cover of soils and a substantial leachate mound near the bottom of the landfill. The measurements of shear strength properties and pore pressures were utilized to assess the slope stability of the Suzhou landfill.     

Geophysical imaging of municipal solid waste contaminant pathways

Surface electrical and electromagnetic surveys were conducted on top of a solid waste facility in Unguwan Dosa, Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria. The aim of the geophysical survey was to detect vertical and subvertical fractures that may provide pathways for groundwater and contaminant transport. Results from the 2D electrical resistivity imaging showed vertical and subvertical contacts overlain by 6–10 m thick overburden. Quantitative interpretation of the VLF-EM data correlates well with the results of the 2D resistivity imaging delineating the vertical and subvertical contacts as good and weak conductors (fractures zones) with resistivity values of 40–220 and 300–420 Ω m, respectively. Azimuthal Schlumberger VES measurements yield apparent anisotropy values ranging from 1.01 to 1.47 for electrode spacings of 1–45 m with the highest value recorded at spacing of 2 m. However, azimuthal variations at large spacings (30–45 m) showed no fracture anisotropy due possibly to the array’s low sensitivity to anisotropy at these spacings. The result of the study showed that pollutants in the leachate can reach and contaminate the groundwater. Therefore, urgency for leachate treatment at this site is recommended to prevent contamination of groundwater.     

城市固体垃圾填埋场不均匀沉降分析

老垃圾填埋场竖向扩建时垃圾堆体的不均匀沉降控制是中间防渗衬垫系统设计的基础,正确计算和分析垃圾堆体的不均匀沉降将是老填埋场竖向扩建时成功与否的关键。研究了竖向扩建时垃圾不均匀沉降,并介绍了不均匀沉降的计算方 法,结合工程实例对老填埋场竖向扩建时垃圾不均匀沉降影响进行了分析,从工程技术角度提出了相应的解决方案。     

不同排水条件下城市固废一维降解固结解析解

目前关于城市固废的降解固结理论研究均沿用太沙基传统排水边界,但是这样不能完全描述垃圾填埋场中复杂的排水边界条件。因此,在已有的简化降解固结模型基础上引入连续排水边界条件,建立了新鲜面为连续排水边界的饱和城市固废一维降解固结模型。在此基础上,借助特征函数解偏微分方程得到了级数形式的解析解答,解的退化检验和收敛性判断初步验证了其合理性。解析解与已有解答的对比分析显示,引入连续排水边界条件后,超静孔压分布有显著的变化;且解析解可解决初始条件和边界条件的矛盾,能反映边界上孔压消散的时间效应。进一步的参数敏感性分析显示,通过调整界面参数可以模拟各种排水条件,获得从完全不排水到完全排水的连续解答。此外,从排水能力差异会改变降解固结发展速度出发,提出了一种保证填埋场稳定的可行策略。     

兴义市生活垃圾无害化处理工程的设计与施工

本文贵州省兴义市生活垃圾无害化处理工程为例，介绍了设计与施工过程中的几点体会。     

城市生活垃圾生态填埋技术研究概况和进展

对城市生活垃圾生态填埋技术的发展概况及研究进展进行了综述,包括生态填埋技术的概念、意义、现状和发展趋势,并提出了目前该领域研究中需重点研究的课题和一些新的思路。     

城市固体废弃物填埋场的岩土工程问题

论述了国内外城市卫生填埋场相关的岩土工程问题及其研究现状,包括卫生填埋场填埋体物理力学性质、卫生填埋场的防渗系统和边坡稳定等一系列岩土工程问题,在此基础上初步探讨了我国城市卫生填埋场相关岩土工程问题的发展前景。     

垃圾土蠕变-降解特性的室内试验研究

通过室内蠕变-降解对比试验,研究了城市固体废弃物（MSW）的长期变形过程,详细地分析了MSW应变、沉降速率以及孔隙比随时间的变化规律。试验结果显示,考虑有机物降解情况下沉降速率与时间在双对数坐标下呈线性关系;不同的生物降解条件下MSW的变形特性表现出不同的规律。研究表明,MSW的蠕变变形是应力与有机物生物降解耦合作用的结果,采用室内蠕变-降解试验可以很好地模拟垃圾土的沉降变形过程,为室内进一步研究垃圾土的蠕变降解特性提供了很好的依据。     

Permeability and compression characteristics of municipal solid waste samples

Four series of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the permeability and compression characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) samples. While the two series of tests were conducted using a conventional small-scale consolidometer, the two others were conducted in a large-scale consolidometer specially constructed for this study. In each consolidometer, the MSW samples were tested at two different moisture contents, i.e., original moisture content and field capacity. A scale effect between the two consolidometers with different sizes was investigated. The tests were carried out on samples reconsolidated to pressures of 123, 246, and 369 kPa. Time settlement data gathered from each load increment were employed to plot strain versus log-time graphs. The data acquired from the compression tests were used to back calculate primary and secondary compression indices. The consolidometers were later adapted for permeability experiments. The values of indices and the coefficient of compressibility for the MSW samples tested were within a relatively narrow range despite the size of the consolidometer and the different moisture contents of the specimens tested. The values of the coefficient of permeability were within a band of two orders of magnitude (10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴ m/s). The data presented in this paper agreed very well with the data reported by previous researchers. It was concluded that the scale effect in the compression behavior was significant. However, there was usually no linear relationship between the results obtained in the tests.