METALS AS CATALYSTS DURING THE FORMATION AND DECOMPOSITION OF CHLORINATED DIOXINS AND FURANS IN INCINERATION PROCESSES

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzof urans (PCDFs) are found on fly ash and in flue gas of municipal waste incinerators. Municipal waste incinerators seem to be the most importa nt source for PCDDs and PCDFs emitted into the air during the last dec ades. PCDD/F formation takes place in the cooler zones (250 degrees C- 450 degrees C) of a municipal waste incinerator, at the electrostatic precipitator. Copper is an important component of the fly ash that can catalyse the formation of PCDDs and PCDFs. Inhibition of the formatio n can be done by complexation of the metals (Cu) with EDTA or NTA.