Waste Wood Fly Ash Treatment in Switzerland: Effects of Co-Processing with Fly Ash from Municipal Solid Waste on Cr(VI) Reduction and Heavy Metal Recovery

In Switzerland, waste wood fly ash (WWFA) must be treated before deposition on landfills due to its high pollutant load (Cr(VI) and heavy metals). Acid fly ash leaching, the process used for heavy metal recovery from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA), represents a possible treatment for heavy metal depletion and Cr(VI) reduction in WWFA. The co-processing of WWFA with MSWIFA during acid fly ash leaching was investigated in laboratory- and industrial-scale experiments with different setups. Of interest were the effects on heavy metal recovery efficiency, the successful outcome of Cr(VI) reduction and consumption of neutralizing chemicals (HCl, H2O2). Detailed chemical and mineralogical characterization of two WWFA types and MSWIFA showed that MSWIFA has higher concentrations in potentially harmful elements than WWFA. However, both WWFA types showed high concentrations in Pb and Cr(VI), and therefore need treatment prior to deposition. Depending on the waste wood proportion and quality, WWFA showed chemical and mineralogical differences that affect leaching behavior. In all experimental setups, successful Cr(VI) reduction was achieved. However, WWFA showed higher consumption of HCl and H2O2, the latter resulting in a particularly negative effect on the recovery of Pb and Cu. Thus, co-processing of smaller WWFA portions could be expedient in order to diminish the negative effects of Pb and Cu recovery.

Automated summary

The study indicates that treatment with acid fly ash leaching can effectively reduce heavy metal and Cr(VI) content in waste wood fly ash, but requires a significant consumption of neutralizing chemicals. Co-processing waste wood fly ash with municipal solid waste incineration fly ash may help mitigate negative effects during treatment.