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Ash deposits characterization in a large-scale municipal waste-to-energy incineration plant

Abstract

Chemical and mineralogical compositions of deposits from a municipal solid waste incineration plant in Oslo,
Norway, have been characterized. Ash deposits are analysed via a combination of scanning electron
microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD)
and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results show that the deposits formed have a clear layered structure along
the thickness, in terms of density and morphology. The combination of different analytical techniques is also
capable of characterizing chemical and mineralogical compositions of the collected deposits along the
thickness of the deposits. The key ash transformation and chemical reactions involved in deposits formation in
this plant are investigated and summarized. The primary deposits, mainly melted sulphates and chlorides,
initially build on heat transfer tube surfaces and act as a sticking surface to particles and aerosols passing by.
The secondary deposits are dominated by calcium sulphates, silicates, and calcium and silicon oxides formed
in the combustion chamber. Within the deposits, interactions of different mineralogical phases take place,
leading to formation of new chemicals and further sintering of deposits.

Category

Academic article

Client

  • Research Council of Norway (RCN) / 193817

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Energy Research / Termisk energi
  • SINTEF Industry / Metal Production and Processing
  • Diverse norske bedrifter og organisasjoner

Year

2016

Published in

Chemical Engineering Transactions

ISSN

1974-9791

Publisher

AIDIC - associazione italiana di ingegneria chimica

Volume

50

Page(s)

25 - 30

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