Enhancing Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Bottom Ash by the Stabilization of Heavy Metals

Filip Kokalj, Vesna Alivojvodić, Luka Lešnik (), Nela Petronijević, Dragana Radovanović and Niko Samec
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Filip Kokalj: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Vesna Alivojvodić: The Academy of Applied Studies Polytechnic, Katarine Ambrozić 3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Luka Lešnik: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Nela Petronijević: Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials, Bulevar Franš d’Eperea 86, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Dragana Radovanović: Innovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Belgrade, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
Niko Samec: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Waste-to-energy (WtE) is a key part of modern waste management. In the European Union, approximately 500 WtE plants process more than 100 million tons of waste yearly, while globally, more than 2700 plants handle over 500 million tons. Roughly 20% of the waste processed is bottom ash (BA). However, this ash can contain heavy metals in concentrations that may render it hazardous. This paper presents a study focusing on stabilizing municipal solid waste incineration BA using simple and industrially viable treatments. The Slovenian WtE plant operator wishes to install the stabilization process; thus, the samples obtained from the plant were treated (1) with a CO 2 gas flow, (2) with water spraying, and (3) with a combination of water spraying and a CO 2 gas flow under laboratory conditions. Thermodynamic calculations were applied to define potential reactions during the treatment processes in the temperature range from 0 to 100 °C and to define the equilibrium composition of the treated ash with additions of CO 2 and water. The standard leaching test EN 12457-4 of treated ash shows a reduction of over 40% in barium concentration and over 30% in lead concentration in leachates.

Keywords: heavy metals; waste-to-energy; bottom ash; leachate; reuse (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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