Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T17:50:21.522Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

An analytical electron microscopy investigation of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

James E. Krzanowski
Affiliation:
Mechanical Engineering Department, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire
T. Taylor Eighmy
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Group, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire
Bradley S. Crannell
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Group, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire
J. Dykstra Eusden Jr.
Affiliation:
Geology Department, Carnegie Hall, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine
Get access

Extract

Incinerator bottom ash samples have been characterized using analytical electron microscopy (AEM) techniques, including electron diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The samples were first separated by magnetic properties and density. Three resulting fractions were examined: the magnetic, high-density (MHD) fraction, the nonmagnetic/high-density (NMHD) fraction, and the nonmagnetic, low-density (NMLD) fraction. Examination of these samples revealed a variety of submicron microstructural features. For the MHD fraction, metal oxides, iron silicates, aluminum silicates, and calcium phosphate compounds were found in addition to amorphous material. The NMHD fraction contained elements similar to the MHD fraction but had more amorphous material; crystalline silicates were less common. Compounds such as MgO and chloroapatite were also found. The NMLD fraction contained SiO2 and numerous metal oxides. The results of some of these analyses were used to model leaching behavior of the ash. Based on the AEM results, three mineral phases were chosen as candidates for aqueous geochemical thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of pH-dependent leaching: chromite, chloroapatite, and zincite. In two of these three cases (chromite, chloroapatite), the selected mineral phase provided excellent agreement with the experimentally observed leaching behavior. AEM was shown to be a useful tool for elucidating mineralogy of complex environmental samples.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. International AshWorking Group (IAWG), Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Residues: An International Perspective on Their Char Characteristics, Disposal, Treatment and Utilization, ECN, Petten, The Netherlands (1994).Google Scholar
2.Eighmy, T. T., Eusden, J. D. Jr., Marsella, K., Hogan, J., Domingo, D., Krzanowski, J. E., and Stämpfli, D., in Environmental Aspects of Construction with Waste Materials, edited by Goumons, J. J. J. R., van der Sloot, H. A., and Albers, Th. G. (Elsevier Science B. V., Amsterdam, 1994), pp. 111136.Google Scholar
3.Allison, J. D., Brown, D. S., and Novo-Gradac, K. K., MINTEQA2/PRODEFA2, a Geochemical Assessment Model for Environmental Systems: Version 3 User's Manual (Environmental Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Athens, GA, 1990).Google Scholar
4.Kirby, C. S. and Rimstidt, J. D., Environ. Sci. Technol. 27, 652 (1993).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Zevenbergen, C., Vanderwood, T., Bradley, J. P., Van Der Broeck, P. F. C. W., Orbons, A. J., and Van Reeuwijk, L. P., Hazardous Waste Hazardous Mater. 11, 371 (1994).Google Scholar
6.Pfrang-Stotz, G. and Schneider, J., Waste Management Res. 13, 273 (1995).Google Scholar
7.Eighmy, T. T., Domingo, D. S., Stämfli, D., Krzanowski, J. E., and Eusden, J. D., in Proceedings of 1992 Incineration Conference, Albuquerque, NM (1992), pp. 541575.Google Scholar
8.Eighmy, T. T., Krzanowski, J. E., Domingo, D., Stämfli, D. D., Eusden, J. D. Jr., Marsella, K., Killeen, K., Gardenier, H., and Hogan, J., The Nature of Lead, Cadmium, and Other Elements in Incineration Residues and Their Stabilized Products, U.S. EPA Final Report (1995).Google Scholar
9.Eighmy, T. T., Eusden, J. D. Jr., Krzanowski, J. E., Domingo, D., Stämfli, D., Martin, J. R., and Erickson, P. M., Environ. Sci. Technol. 29, 629 (1995).Google Scholar
10.Kosson, D. S., Kosson, T. T., and van der Sloot, H., Evaluation of Solidification/Stabilization Treatment Processes for Municipal Waste Combustion Residues, USEPA/RREL Final Report.Google Scholar
11.Landsberger, S., Buchholz, B. A., Kaminski, M., and Plewa, M., J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 167, 331 (1993).Google Scholar
12.Goldstein, J. J., in Introduction to Analytical Electron Microscopy, edited by Hren, J. J., Goldstein, J. I., and Joy, D. C. (Plenum Press, New York, 1979), pp. 83120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Deer, W., Howie, R., and Zussman, J., An Introduction to the Rock Forming Minerals (Longman Scientific and Technical, London, England, 1992).Google Scholar