Formation of PCDDs and PCDFs during the combustion of polyvinylidene chloride

In laboratory-scale combustion of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) with a qua rtz tubular furnace designed and fabricated to provide the desired combusti on temperature and mixing state of combustion gas with air, it was found th at at 800 degreesC or higher the level of PVDC polychlorinated dibenzofuran s (PCDDs/PCDFs) resulting from PVDC combustion was no higher than that from heating air alone, and thus far below the levels which resulted from PVDC combustion at 750 degreesC or lower. The results provide the first laborato ry confirmation of the relation between PVDC incineration temperature and P CDD/PCDF formation, and of the primary importance of high temperature, turb ulence for mixing between air and combustion gas, and sufficient residence time, as governing factors for the minimization of PCDD/PCDF formation in m unicipal solid waste incinerators. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.