Formation of PCDD/F during thermal treatment of lignite

Investigations whether lignite is a source for polychlorinated dibenzodioxi ns and -furans (PCDD/F) or not were carried out. Considering the special si tuation at former opencast mines in East Germany, lignites from different l ocations at the east and the west side of the river Elbe were chosen. Weath ering processes were simulated in our laboratory. Some of the untreated lig nites already contained PCDD/F at ppt level. Treatment with wet air at 300 degrees C led to up to six times higher PCDD/F concentrations. Degree of we athering influences PCDD/F formation. CuCl2, was found to act as a catalyst for PCDD/F formation using lignite as carbon source. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.