Analysis of hydrocarbons and ash particles formed from contaminated industrial biowaste under combustion-like conditions

A concept of multizone combustion of pulp and paper-generated biowaste was investigated. The biowaste was initially fed into the low-temperature regio n (< 1250 K) and then subjected to the high-temperature treatment (1770 K) which was followed by sudden quenching in a second low-temperature zone (mu ch less than 1250 K). This type of burning is called the low-high-low tempe rature process (LHL). It was found that destruction of selected polycyclic aromatic compounds occurred during the LHL process before they were emitted into the atmosphere. The biowaste material underwent dramatic morphologica l changes, which influenced segregation of metals within ash particles and their teachability. The heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb) were encapsulated and imm obilized within the ash particle core surrounded by a compact shell consist ing of condensed layers of light nonhazardous metals (Si, Al, Na, K). it se ems that the multizone combustion of biowaste may be an attractive and usef ul way for the clean and efficient disposal of contaminated biowastes.