Formation characteristics of PCDD and PCDF during pyrolysis processes

In recent years, pyrolysis processes have become technologies developed to industrial scale and discussed as alternatives to the existing waste combus tion technology. However, little information is published regarding PCDD/F formation characteristics during pyrolysis processes. Two common shredder f ractions - industrial light shredder (ILS) and refrigerators (REF) - both w ith high chlorine and copper content were pyrolysed for this pyrolysis stud y using a pilot plant with a capacity of 100 kg/h. At oxygen concentrations below 2% and temperatures between 430 degreesC and 470 degreesC, considera ble amounts of PCDD/F were formed during the pyrolysis. More than 90% of to tal TEQ was found in the oil fraction (gas phase). The PCDD/PCDF ratio and the homologue pattern differed significantly from those formed during waste incineration. Considering mono- to octachlorinated congeners, up to 400 ti mes more PCDF were formed compared to PCDD. For the investigated pyrolysis conditions, the formation of low chlorinated congeners was highly favoured. The distribution of TEQ within the individual congeners were very similar in all investigated runs. More than 80% of total TEQ stem from 2,3,7,8-subs tituted T4CDF and P5CDF. The isomer pattern, however, did not show signific ant differences compared to the common waste incineration pattern suggestin g that the basic formation routes are similar. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.