BNEH3182

Hazardous Waste Management

HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT

Treatment
Best Demonstrated Available Technology
(BDAT)
Treatment standards, or
Technology

Universal Treatment Standards

A universal treatment standard is a single
concentration limit established for a specific
constituent regardless of the waste matrix in which it
is present,
i.e., the same treatment standard applies to a
particular constituent in each waste code in which it
is regulated
Two different sets of universal treatment standards
for nonwastewater forms of waste
FOR wastewater forms of waste.

Landfill

Thermal Treatment

Incineration
High temperature hazardous waste incinerators
are available in a number of configurations and
principles.
Typically a process for treatment involves heating
to a temperature greater than 850C or, if the
chlorine content is above 1 %, greater than 1,100
C, with a residence time greater than 2 seconds,
under conditions that assure appropriate mixing
and subsequent destruction.

Dedicated hazardous waste incinerator

Temperature & residence

time
Combustion temperature and residence time
needed for mixed hazardous wastes cannot be
readily calculated and are often determined
empirically.
Some common solvents such as alcohols and
toluene can easily be combusted at temperatures
less than 1,000oC and less than one second
residence time, while other more complex organic
halogens require more stringent conditions.

...more complex organic

halogens such as PCB
o
requires 1200 C and 2
seconds residence time
A DRE of 99.9999% is required by TSCA for the incineration of PCBs

US EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) PCB

Incineration Criteria

...if more than 1 % of halogenated

organic substances, expressed as
chlorine, are incinerated, the
temperature has to be raised to

minimum 1100C

during at
least two seconds.

EU Directive 2000/76/EC on Incineration of Waste regulates

Co-incineration of Hazardous Waste in Cement Kilns

Technology description
Hazardous waste is normally incinerated in two types of facilities:
merchant plants who accept different types of waste for disposal; and
dedicated incinerators that handle a particular waste stream. An
example of the latter might be a chemical manufacturing plant
treating chlorinated wastes to recover HCl.
The most common combustion technology in hazardous waste
incineration is the rotary kiln. Facilities in the merchant sector range
in size from 30,000 to 100,000 tons/year throughput. Dedicated
hazardous waste incinerators use a variety of incineration, pyrolysis,
and plasma treatment techniques.
Similar to the incineration of municipal solid waste, hazardous waste
incineration offers the benefits of volume reduction and energy
recovery.

Dedicated hazardous waste incinerator for

treating liquid and gaseous chlorinated wastes at
a chlorinated chemical manufacturing facility

Technology description
In Rotary kilns solid, sludge, containerized or pumpable
waste is introduced at the upper end of the inclined drum.
Temperatures in the kiln usually range between 850 and
1300oC. The slow rotation of the drum allows a residence
time of 30-90 minutes.
The secondary combustion chamber following the kiln
completes the oxidation of the combustion gases. Liquid
wastes and/or auxiliary fuels may be injected here along
with secondary air to maintain a minimum residence time
of two seconds and temperatures in the range of 9001300oC, effectively destroying any remaining organic
compounds.

Rotary kiln incinerator

Formation and Release of

Unintentional POPs
Emission testing has confirmed that composition of
the waste, furnace design, temperatures in the
post-combustion zone, and the types of air
pollution control devices (APCD) used to remove
pollutants from the flue gases are important factors
in determining the extent of POPs formation and
release.
Depending on the combination of these factors,
POPs releases can vary over several orders of
magnitude per ton of waste incinerated.

Average 6 - 7 Nm3 of flue gas

per kg waste

Specific collection/treatment for:

Dust

- staged filters

Chlorine

- neutralised by scrubbing with lime

Sulphur

- washing stage

Dioxins

- combustion control, activated carbon

Example of flue gas cleaning technology

Examples of APCDs relevant to the

prevention or reduction of
unintentional POPs releases
Cyclones and multi-cyclones
Electrostatic precipitators wet, dry, or condensation
Fabric filters including catalytic bag filters
Static Bed Filters
Scrubbing systems - wet, spray dry, or ionization
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)
Rapid Quenching Systems
Carbon Adsorption

 Unintentional POPs
formation can
occur within the
ESP at
temperatures in the
range of 200C to
about 450C.
Operating the ESP
within this
temperature range
can lead to the
formation of
unintentional POPs
in the combustion
gases released
from the stack.

 Fabric filters are also referred

to as baghouses or dust filters.
These particulate matter control
devices can effectively remove
unintentional POPs that may be
associated with particles and
any vapors that adsorb to the
particles in the exhaust gas
stream.
Filters are usually 16 to 20 cm
diameter bags, 10 m long, made
from woven fiberglass material,
and arranged in series. Fabric
filters are sensitive to acids;
therefore, they are usually
operated in combination with
spray dryer adsorption systems
for upstream removal of acid
gases.

Fabric filters (bag filters) are widely applied in waste incineration and have
the added advantage, when coupled with semi-dry sorbent injection (spray
drying), of providing additional filtration and reactive surface on the filter
cake.
Pressure drop across fabric filters should be monitored to ensure filter cake
is in place and bags are not leaking.
Fabric filters are subject to water damage and corrosion and are best suited
for dry gas streams with upstream removal of acid gases. Some filter
materials are more resistant to these effects.

Carbon Adsorption
Activated carbon is injected into the flue gas prior to
the gas reaching the spray dryer-fabric filter/ESP
combination.
PCDD/PCDF (and mercury) are absorbed onto the
activated carbon, which is then captured by the fabric
filter or ESP.
The carbon injection technology improves capture of
the unintentional POPs in the combustion gases by an
additional 75% and is commonly referred to as flue gas
polishing.
Many APCDs have been retrofitted to include carbon
injection.

Spray dry scrubbing, also called spray dryer

adsorption, removes both acid gas and
particulate matter from the post-combustion
gases.
The spray drying technology is often used in
combination with ESPs and fabric filters.
Spray drying reduces ESP inlet temperatures
to create a cold-side ESP.

 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is a secondary control measure

primarily designed to reduce NOx emissions. The process also destroys
unintentional POPs via catalytic oxidation. SCR is a catalytic process in
which an air-ammonia mix is injected into the flue gas stream and passed
over a mesh catalyst. The ammonia and NOx react to form water and N2.
SCR units are usually placed in the clean gas area after acid gas and
particulate matter removal. Efficient operation of the SCR process requires
maintenance of the catalyst between 130 and 400C. For this reason, SCR
units are often placed after ESPs to avoid the need for reheating of the flue
gases. Caution must be exercised in such placement to avoid additional
unintentional POPs formation in the ESP.

Wastewater from incineration

Controls vary from country to country
Quantity:
influenced by gas scrubbing technology
chosen i.e. wet, semi-dry, dry
Treatment:
in aerated lagoons / widely used / low cost /
may not meet required standard
physico-chemical treatment may also be
needed

Best Environmental Practices

for Waste Incineration
Well-maintained facilities, well-trained operators, a
well-informed public, and constant attention to the
process are all important factors in minimizing the
formation and release of the unintentional POPs from
the incineration of waste.
In addition, effective waste management strategies
(e.g., waste minimization, source separation, and
recycling), by altering the volume and character of the
incoming waste, can also significantly impact releases.

Waste Inspection and Characterization

Proper Handling, Storage, and PreTreatment

Storage areas must be properly sealed with

controlled drainage and weatherproofing.
Fire detection and control systems for these
areas should also be considered. Storage
and handling areas should be designed to
prevent contamination of environmental
media and to facilitate clean up in the event
of spills or leakage.
Odors can be minimized by using bunker air
for the combustion process.

Proper Handling, Storage, and PreTreatment

Minimizing Storage Times

Minimizing the storage period will help

prevent putrefaction and unwanted
reactions, as well as the deterioration of
containers and labeling.
Managing deliveries and communicating
with suppliers will help ensure that
reasonable storage times are not exceeded.

Establishing Quality Requirements

for Waste Fed

Facilities must be able to accurately

predict the heating value and other
attributes of the waste being
combusted in order to ensure that the
design parameters of the incinerator
are being met.

Incinerator Operating and Management

Practices
Ensuring Good Combustion
Optimal burn conditions involve:

mixing of fuel and air to minimize the existence of

long-lived, fuel rich pockets of combustion products,
attainment of sufficiently high temperatures in the
presence of oxygen for the destruction of
hydrocarbon species, and
prevention of quench zones or low temperature
pathways that will allow partially reacted fuel to exit
the combustion chamber.

Circulating
fluidised bed

Incinerator Operating and Management

Practices
Ensuring Good Combustion cont.

Proper management of time, temperature, and turbulence as

well as oxygen (air flow), by means of incinerator design and
operation will help to ensure the above conditions.
The recommended residence time of waste in the primary
furnace is 2 seconds.
Temperatures at or above 850C are required for complete
combustion in most technologies.
Turbulence, through the mixing of fuel and air, helps prevent
cold spots in the burn chamber and the buildup of carbon
which can reduce combustion efficiency.
Oxygen levels in the final combustion zone must be
maintained above those necessary for complete oxidation.

Bubbling
fluidised bed

Monitoring
In addition to carbon monoxide, oxygen in the
flue gas, air flows and temperatures, pressure
drops, and pH in the flue gas can be routinely
monitored at reasonable cost.
While these measurements represent
reasonably good surrogates for the potential
for unintentional POPs formation and release,
periodic measurement of PCDD/Fs in the flue
gas will aid in ensuring that releases are
minimized and the incinerator is operating
properly.

Operator Training

Regular training of personnel is

essential for proper operation of
waste incinerators

Maintaining Public Awareness and

Communication

Successful incineration projects have been

characterized by: holding regular meetings
with concerned citizens; providing days for
public visitation; posting release and
operational data to the Internet; and
displaying real time data on operations and
releases at the facility site.

BAT - General Combustion

Techniques
Ensure design of furnace is appropriately matched to characteristics of the waste
to be processed.
Maintain temperatures in the gas phase combustion zones in the optimal range
for completing oxidation of the waste.
Provide for sufficient residence time (e.g., 2 seconds) and turbulent mixing in the
combustion chamber(s) to complete incineration.
Pre-heat primary and secondary air to assist combustion.

Use continuous rather than batch processing wherever possible to minimize startup and shut-down releases.
Establish systems to monitor critical combustion parameters including grate
speed and temperature, pressure drop, and levels of CO, CO2, O2.
Provide for control interventions to adjust waste feed, grate speed, and
temperature, volume, and distribution of primary and secondary air.
Install automatic auxiliary burners to maintain optimal temperatures in the
combustion chamber(s).

BAT - Hazardous Waste

Incineration Techniques
Rotary kilns are well demonstrated for the incineration of
hazardous waste and can accept liquids and pastes as well as
solids.
Water-cooled kilns can be operated at higher temperatures and
allow acceptance of wastes with higher energy values.
Waste consistency (and combustion) can be improved by
shredding drums and other packaged hazardous wastes.
A feed equalization system e.g., screw conveyors that can crush
and provide a constant amount of solid hazardous waste to the
furnace, will ensure smooth feeding.

Condensation
electrostatic
precipitator

BAT Flue Gas Treatment

The type and order of treatment processes

applied to the flue gases once they leave the
incineration chamber is important, both for
optimal operation of the devices as well as for the
overall cost effectiveness of the installation.
Waste incineration parameters that affect the
selection of techniques include: waste type,
composition, and variability; type of combustion
process; flue gas flow and temperature; and the
need for, and availability of, wastewater
treatment.

Destruction efficiency
DREs of greater than 99.9999 percent
have been reported for treatment of
wastes consisting of, containing or
contaminated with POPs.

BAT - Residue Management

Techniques

Unlike bottom ash, APCD residuals including fly ash and scrubber sludges may contain
relatively high concentrations of heavy metals, organic pollutants (including PCDD/F),
chlorides and sulfides.

Mixing fly ash and FGT residues with bottom ash should be avoided since this will limit
the subsequent use and disposal options for the bottom ash.

Treatment techniques for these residues include:

Cement solidification. Residues are mixed with mineral and hydraulic binders and additives to
reduce leaching potential. Product is landfilled.
Vitrification . Residues are heated in electrical melting or blast furnaces to immobilize pollutants
of concern. Organics, including PCDD/F are typically destroyed in the process.
Catalytic treatment of fabric filter dusts under conditions of low temperatures and lack of
oxygen;
The application of plasma or similar high temperature technologies.

Fly ash and scrubber sludges are normally disposed of in landfills set aside for this
purpose. Some countries include ash content limits for PCDD/F in their incinerator
standards. If the content exceeds the limit, the ash must be re-incinerated.

Throughput
Hazardous waste incinerators have a
capacity from a few hundred tons to
>100,000 tons per year

Availability

Dedicated incinerators are available in

many countries

Hazardous waste
incineration
are in principle capable to treat POPs and
POPs waste in an environmentally sound
way and can meet stringent ELVs
are highly regulated
need skilled personnel
require high operating and safety
standards
require high capital investment
have medium to high operating costs

Questions?

Thank you