(Session9A) ACHIEVING ZERO LANDFILL OF MUNICIPAL INCINERATOR FLY ASH BY ELECTRIC ARC FURNACES OF STEEL MINI MILLS

摘要

The objective of this work was to promote zero landfill of municipal incinerator fly ash (MIFA) by full-scale melting in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) of steel mini mills around the world. MIFA, generally, is considered as a hazardous waste because it consists of trace heavy metals (e.g., Pb) and maybe dioxins/furans. Presently, MIFA is first treated by cement solidification and followed by landfilling. Due to the scarcity of landfill space, the cost of landfilling increases markedly year by year in Taiwan. More than a decade ago, based on full-scale test results the present author had reported that melting MIFA while EAF steelmaking would yield many advantages. Unfortunately, this treatment technology has not been practiced ever since. Not until recently, the global steel sector is facing its worst recession in a decade and lack of landfill space for solidified MIFA, attentions of this melting treatment technology are received by the authority and private engineering firms in Taiwan. Re-promotion of this innovative treatment technology for MIFA could be a potential saver for the steelmaking industry for now and the future. Moreover, zero landfill of MIFA could be achieved by the practice of this innovative melting technology.