Leaching of Chlorides, Sulphates, and Phosphates from Ashes Formed as a Result of Burning Conventional Fuels, Alternative Fuels, and Municipal Waste in Household Furnaces

Alicja Kicińska and Grzegorz Caba
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Alicja Kicińska: Department of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Grzegorz Caba: MPO Department of Bulky Waste and Additional Services, Municipal Department of Sanitation Ltd., Nowohucka 1, 31-580 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess leaching of Cl − , SO 4 2− , and PO 4 3− from ashes formed in household furnaces. The ashes were obtained following the combustion of conventional fuels, namely wood and hard coal, and alternative fuels with various fractions of municipal waste in a household boiler. Aqueous leachates of the ashes were used to determine concentrations of chlorides by titration (Mohr’s method) (21.3–3049.6 mg/dm 3 ), sulphates by the gravimetric method (12.2–244.1 mg/dm 3 ), and phosphates by spectrophotometry (0.01–67.2 mg/dm 3 ). It was found that co-combustion of municipal waste with plastic-coated paper cartons, diapers, or a mixed waste fraction leaves the greatest amount of ashes on the furnace grate. The highest amounts of Cl − , SO 4 2− , and PO 4 3− were leached from ashes generated from burning a mix of wood and coals, or wood alone (different species). The addition of municipal waste to the process of burning the conventional and alternative fuels studied did not significantly increase Cl − , SO 4 2− , and PO 4 3− content in aqueous extracts of ashes, the exception being diapers and plywood. In light of the study results, it was concluded that all the ashes could be reused (as an additive to concrete) except for the ash generated from the combustion of a mixed municipal waste fraction and coal (due to the content of Cl − ) and diapers (due to the content of PO 4 3− ). It was demonstrated that Cl − , SO 4 2− , and PO 4 3− content in the entire set of samples and in individual ash groups is highly heterogeneous and variable.

Keywords: municipal waste; environmental risk; household furnaces; anions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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