The emission and distribution of PCDD/Fs in municipal solid waste incinerators and coal-fired power plant

Wen Yinn Lin, Yee Lin Wu, Li Kai Tu, Lin Chi Wang, Xin Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The emission and distribution of polychlorinated debenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was investigated in two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) and one coal-fired power plant (PP) in southern Taiwan. Samples were collected from stack flue gases (SFG), bottom residues (BR), super heater (SH), economizer (EC), semi-dry absorber (SDA), bag filter (BF), and fly ash pit (FAP) in MSWIs. Stack flue gases, bottom residues and electrostatic dust collectors (ESD) in PP were also collected. In order to compare the difference between the results of MSWIs and PP, samples from SFG, BS, and FAP in a PP were also determined. Seventeen congeners of PCDD/Fs were analyzed by utilizing a high-resolution gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS). Distributions of total PCDD/F-I-TEQ in each unit of MSWI-A and MSWI-B were SFG (0.3%, 0.07%), BR (3.9%, 0.62%), SH (0.17%, 0.24%), EC (4.2%, 0.05%), SDA (1.29%, 7.06%), and BF (90.14%, 91.97%), respectively. However, those in SFG, BS, and FAP of PP were 99.58%, 0.17%, and 0.25%, respectively. The above results indicated 99.5% PCDD/Fs were trapped in the fly ash of MWSI. On the other hand, 99.7% PCDD/Fs was emitted to the atmosphere from PP. The results of this study provide useful information for controlling PCDD/Fs in MSWIs and PP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)519-532
Number of pages14
JournalAerosol and Air Quality Research
Volume10
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Dec

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The emission and distribution of PCDD/Fs in municipal solid waste incinerators and coal-fired power plant'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this