The influence of heavy metals on partitioning of PAHs during incineration

The presence of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb and Zn) in feedstock increases the partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the solid as we ll as in the gaseous phases, which has been reported in our previous study. However, the partitioning of PAHs in air-pollution control equipment (APCE ) has not been investigated thus far. Hence, the present work was conducted to study the partitioning of PAHs in APCE and the effect of heavy metals o n PAHs formation by varying the target heavy metals in the feedstock. A fluidized bed incineration system which includes a primary combustion cha mber (sand bed), a secondary combustion chamber (freeboard), and an APCE (c yclone and scrubber) was utilized in this study. The feedstock that contain ed various heavy metals was fed into the incinerator, and then the PAHs in the cyclone and scrubber were analyzed to determine the effect of heavy met als on PAHs partitioning. The results indicate that the presence of Pb and Zn in feedstock facilitates the formation of PAHs. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.