RE: Recycling vs Incineration - New Scientist 22/11/97

[Alan Watson <alanwatson@gn.apc.org>]

  Dear Amjad
  
  >What is the estimated amount of dioxin released from the incineration of 
  >one ton of MSW.  In Pakistan where I live (and in many developing 
  >countries) trash burning within residential areas (without any 
  >incinerator) is the one of the common disposal method of MSW. Obviuosly 
  >temperature is not that high in this type of burning. What could be 
  >typical range of other pollutants like HCl, NOx, CO, mercu
  >ry etc. in this case per ton of MSW. 
  
  The figures from my post just before yours (Incinerators remain net 
  dioxin sources ) are:
  
  Dioxin balance for a 100,000tpy incinerator, gTEQ/y
  
  	                   Optimistic     	Pessimistic   	Neutral
  
  Input waste	                2.1	   0.05	      0.41
  Output:
  Bottom ash	               0.22	    0.83	     0.62
  Air pollution 
  control residues	         3.1	     6.9	      5.2
  Flue gas	                0.025	    0.61	     0.25
  Total output	            3.35	     8.34	     6.07
  Net dioxins	             1.25     	8.29	     5.66
  
  It is a straightforward matter to calculate the output per tonne 
  assuming, say, 90% availability.  
  
  These data are for modern incinerators and assume steady state emissions 
  of between 0.1 and 1 ng/m3 however.  The examples that you give will be 
  likely to have far higher emission levels - although depending to some 
  extent on the composition of the trash. 
  
  For other emissions it would probably be a fair approximation as a 
  starting point to take emission levels that are similar to the unabated 
  emissions from an incinerator primary combustion chamber.  I would have 
  to dig the figures out but perhaps other list members have them to hand?
  
  Best wishes
  
  Alan
  
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         _\\|//_                Alan Watson C.Eng                  
        (' O^O ')               Oakleigh                      
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