A Sustainable Development Strategy for Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash: Adsorption Performance and Mechanism in Removing Heavy Metals from Water

Yao Zhao (), Wenqian Li, Jiaqing Wang and Zekunyun Hu
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Yao Zhao: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Wenqian Li: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Jiaqing Wang: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Zekunyun Hu: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: As urbanization progresses rapidly, the pollution of heavy metal wastewater and the disposal of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA) have emerged as significant challenges. MSWI-BA is a porous material recognized as an environmentally friendly adsorbent. To prevent escalating costs in future practical engineering applications, this study employed unmodified, natural MSWI-BA. This research assessed the adsorption capabilities of MSWI-BA for Pb(II) and Zn(II) through static adsorption experiments, which included adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies. The influence of various factors on the adsorption performance of MSWI-BA was investigated through adjusting the solution pH and the amount of ash, competitive adsorption conditions, and regeneration experiments. Advanced techniques, including ESEM-EDS, XRD, and FTIR, were utilized to analyze the adsorption mechanisms. The results indicated that under the conditions of pH values of 4 and 5, a temperature of 318 K, and an ash dosage of 0.1 g/20 mL, the maximum adsorption capacities of MSWI-BA for Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 89.09 mg/g and 33.77 mg/g, respectively. MSWI-BA demonstrates robust regeneration potential over multiple cycles, validating its practical feasibility. The principal mechanisms for removal include chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and surface complexation. By repurposing it as an efficient and low-cost adsorbent, this represents a sustainable strategy.

Keywords: MSWI-BA; heavy metals; resource recycling; adsorption mechanism (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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