Physicochemical Properties of Fine and Coarse Fly Ash Aerosol Particles from Waste Incineration

IF 9.6 Q1 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

ACS Environmental Au Pub Date : 2026-07-15 Epub Date: 2026-06-02 DOI:10.1021/acsenvironau.6c00018

Fanny Bergman, Jenny Rissler, Sara Janhäll, Michael Strand, Edvin Elmroth, Karin Karlfeldt Fedje

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Understanding the physicochemical properties of fly ash from industrial and municipal solid waste incineration is essential for its safe and efficient utilization. This study investigated the particle size distribution and elemental size partitioning in fly ash aerosols from a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility with grate-fired boilers, along with the composition of boiler deposits and ash collected in the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The physicochemical properties of fly ash were investigated using online aerosol instruments combined with size-selective collection (low-pressure impactor and cyclone-filter setup) for gravimetric and elemental analyses. The particle size distribution was multimodal, with a distinct mass peak at 0.5 μm well separated from two overlapping modes at 30 and 200 μm. Fine particles (<1 μm) represented 16% of the total mass but were dominant in number. Elemental analysis showed that fine particles mainly consisted of Cl, Na, K, Zn, and S. Fine particles were enriched in potentially toxic yet valuable metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Sb, Pb, Sn). Coarse particles (>1 μm) were dominated by Ca, Si, and Al, while the above-mentioned metals were depleted. Boiler ash resembled the coarse fraction, and ESP ash was a mix of both fine and coarse particles. Increased knowledge of the elemental composition in different size fractions may enable large-scale size separation for improved resource recovery and safer utilization. The composition of the fine particles support targeted salt or metal recovery, while coarse particles are suitable for construction applications.

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垃圾焚烧产生的细灰和粗灰气溶胶颗粒的物理化学性质。

了解工业和城市生活垃圾焚烧飞灰的理化性质对其安全高效利用至关重要。本研究研究了一个采用栅格燃烧锅炉的垃圾发电（WtE）设施的飞灰气溶胶的粒度分布和元素粒度分配，以及锅炉沉积物和静电除尘器（ESP）收集的灰的组成。使用在线气溶胶仪器结合粒径选择收集（低压冲击器和旋风过滤器装置）进行重量和元素分析，研究了粉煤灰的物理化学特性。粒径分布呈多模态分布，在0.5 μm处有明显的质量峰，在30 μm和200 μm处有明显的质量峰。细颗粒（1 μm）以Ca、Si和Al为主，而上述金属均被耗尽。锅炉灰分为粗颗粒，电除尘器灰分为细颗粒和粗颗粒混合。增加对不同粒度馏分元素组成的了解可以实现大规模粒度分离，从而提高资源回收率和更安全的利用。细颗粒的组成支持有针对性的盐或金属回收，而粗颗粒适用于建筑应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

ACS Environmental Au 环境科学-

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： ACS Environmental Au is an open access journal which publishes experimental research and theoretical results in all aspects of environmental science and technology both pure and applied. Short letters comprehensive articles reviews and perspectives are welcome in the following areas:Alternative EnergyAnthropogenic Impacts on Atmosphere Soil or WaterBiogeochemical CyclingBiomass or Wastes as ResourcesContaminants in Aquatic and Terrestrial EnvironmentsEnvironmental Data ScienceEcotoxicology and Public HealthEnergy and ClimateEnvironmental Modeling Processes and Measurement Methods and TechnologiesEnvironmental Nanotechnology and BiotechnologyGreen ChemistryGreen Manufacturing and EngineeringRisk assessment Regulatory Frameworks and Life-Cycle AssessmentsTreatment and Resource Recovery and Waste Management