MODERN TECHNOLOGIES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF DIOXINS AND FURANS FROM WASTE INCINERATION

摘要

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) are formed unintentionally as byproducts of waste combustion and many other thermal industrial processes. Today PCDD/PCDF is known as one of the most toxic groups of organic substances. Furthermore, they are perceived to be carcinogenic. Although many questions about the toxicological effects of PCDD/PCDF are still unanswered, all possible reduction measures should be investigated to minimize their release into the environment. Consequently, reduction technologies for dioxins and furans are not only needed for densely populated urban areas, but also in rural regions where the population's food is produced. The uptake of PCDD/PCDF via food must considered to be the major pathway of exposure for humans as well as for animals. After a brief presentation of the regulatory and technical background, this paper gives an overview of the formation routes of PCDD/PCDF in combustion and other industrial thermal processes. The most important sources for PCDD/PCDDF emissions are also described. Secondly, the most commonly applied PCDD/PCDF control technologies will be presented using various types of waste incinerators to demonstrate today's state-of-the-art flue gas cleaning technology. Various modern municipal solid waste (MSW) combustors and a hazardous waste incinerator, as well as an iron ore sintering facility provide actual examples of full-scale systems in commercial operation. The final part of the presentation will give an outlook towards new developments in PCDD/PCDF abatement technologies for more economical PCDD/PCDF reduction.