Justin G. Roessler

Effect of ferrous metal presence on lead leaching in municipal waste incineration bottom ashes

The recovery of ferrous and non-ferrous metals from waste to energy (WTE) ash continues to advance as the sale of removed metals improves the economics of waste combustion. Published literature suggests that Fe and Fe oxides play a role in suppressing Pb leaching in the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP); further removal of ferrous metals from WTE ashes may facilitate higher Pb leaching under the TCLP. Eight WTE bottom ash size-fractions, from three facilities, were evaluated to assess the effect of metallic Fe addition and ferrous metal removal on TCLP leaching. Metallic Fe addition was demonstrated to reduce Pb leaching; the removal of ferrous metals by magnet resulted in a decrease in total available Pb (mg/kg) in most ash samples, yet Pb leachability increased in 5 of 6 ash samples. The research points to two chemical mechanisms to explain these results: redox interactions between Pb and Fe and the sorption of soluble Pb onto Fe oxide surfaces, as well as the effect of the leachate pH before and after metals recovery. The findings presented here indicate that generators, processors, and regulators of ash should be aware of the impact ferrous metal removal may have on Pb leaching, as a substantial increase in leaching may have significant implications regarding the management of WTE ashes.

Use of leaching tests to quantify trace element release from waste to energy bottom ash amended pavements

A series of roadway tests strips were paved on-site at a landfill in Florida, U.S. Waste to energy (WTE) bottom ash was used as a partial course aggregate replacement in a hot mix asphalt (HMA) and a Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement, along with control HMA and PCC sections. This allowed for a comparison of the relative degree of leaching between both materials (HMA and PCC) as well as between the ash-amended and control pavements. Batch and monolithic tank leaching tests were conducted on the pavements. Testing of the PCC samples demonstrated that Mo and Al were elevated above regulatory thresholds for both the control and ash amended samples. Further leach testing demonstrated that the release of Mo was likely from the PCC and not a result of the inclusion of the BA into pavement. Batch leach testing of ash-amended HMA samples revealed Sb as a constituent of potential concern. The results of the monolith leaching test displayed leaching of Sb within the same order of magnitude as the regulatory threshold. Calculation of the leachability index (LI) for Sb found that it would have limited mobility when incorporated in the HMA matrix.

Chemical Characterization of High-Temperature Arc Gasification Slag with a Focus on Element Release in the Environment

High-temperature arc gasification (HTAG) has been proposed as a viable technology for the generation of energy and the production of saleable byproducts from municipal solid waste (MSW). Total concentrations of elements in HTAG slag were assessed and indicated a high partitioning of trace elements (Pb, Cd, and As) into the flue gas, an issue of concern when assessing the air pollution control residues (APCR) status as a hazardous waste. Hazardous waste leaching tests [such as the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP)] were performed and confirmed that the slag did not meet U.S. criteria for a hazardous waste. Leaching was assessed using batch and column tests; the results revealed that Sb and Al were elevated in respect to risk-based regulatory thresholds. Slag samples were carbonated to simulate weathering effects, and although leachable concentrations of Al did decrease by an order of magnitude, Sb concentrations were found to increase. Low total concentrations of certain trace elements (As, Cd, and Pb), with respect to MSW incineration bottom ashes support the potential for reuse of HTAG slag; however, leaching of elements (Pb, Al, and Sb) in batch and column tests indicate that proper engineering controls would need to be taken to ensure protection of water supplies in a reuse application.

Construction material properties of slag from the high temperature arc gasification of municipal solid waste

Slag from the high temperature arc gasification (HTAG) of municipal solid waste (MSW) was tested to evaluate its material properties with respect to use as a construction aggregate. These data were compared to previously compiled values for waste to energy bottom ash, the most commonly produced and beneficially used thermal treatment residue. The slag was tested using gradations representative of a base course and a course aggregate. Los Angeles (LA) abrasion testing demonstrated that the HTAG slag had a high resistance to fracture with a measured LA loss of 24%. Soundness testing indicated a low potential for reactivity and good weathering resistance with a mean soundness loss of 3.14%. The modified Proctor compaction testing found the slag to possess a maximum dry density (24.04kN/m(3)) greater than conventionally used aggregates and WTE BA. The LBR tests demonstrated a substantial bearing capacity (>200). Mineralogical analysis of the HTAG suggested the potential for self cementing character which supports the elevated LBR results. Preliminary material characterization of the HTAG slag establishes potential for beneficial use; larger and longer term studies focusing on the materials possibility for swelling and performance at the field scale level are needed.

Waste to energy ash monofill mining: An environmental characterization of recovered material

Samples of combined bottom and fly ash produced at a U.S. waste-to-energy facility were collected from an ash monofill. These samples represented ash monofilled between 1991 and 2008. The ash samples were characterized for total element content and leachability; trends in these parameters were evaluated as a function of sample depth and ash age. Comparison to risk thresholds was used to assess the relative magnitude of the total and leachable mass of elements in the monofilled ash. Natural carbonation was found to have occurred in the monofilled ash, reducing the pH and leachability of Al and Pb. Sb was the element with the highest leachable concentration when compared to risk thresholds, driven primarily by the pH of the ash (9.8). The release of Mo, Sr, Ba, Na and K (all readily soluble elements in ash) was higher (48-122%) when comparing the samples taken from the 0 to 1.5m bore to the 6.1-7.62m bore; total concentration analysis also demonstrated that more of these elements were present in the deeper samples (25-53%). These data support the hypothesis that as infiltrating rainwater moves through an ash monofill leached concentrations are depleted from the upper layers of the ash first.

Evaluation of the impact of lime softening waste disposal in natural environments.

Drinking water treatment residues (WTR), generated from the lime softening processes, are commonly reused or disposed of in a number of applications; these include use as a soil amendment or a subsurface fill. Recently questions were posed by the Florida regulatory community on whether lime WTR that contained a small percentage of other treatment additives could appropriately be characterized as lime WTR, in terms of total element content and leachability. A study was done using a broad range of leaching tests, including a framework of tests recently adopted by the United States-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and tests that were modified to account for scenario specific conditions, such as the presence of natural organic matter (NOM). The results of these additional leaching tests demonstrated that certain applications, including disposal in a water body with NOM or in placement anaerobic environment, did result in increased leaching of elements such as Fe, and that a site specific assessment should be conducted prior to using WTR in these types of applications. This study illustrates the importance of leaching test selection when attempting to provide an estimation of release in practice. Although leaching tests are just one component in a beneficial use assessment and other factors including aquifer and soil properties play a significant role in the outcome, leaching tests should be tailored to most appropriately represent the scenario or reuse application being evaluated.