Properties of municipal solid waste incineration ashes with respect to their separation temperature

Abstract

Fly ashes generated by power and heating plants are commonly used in the production of building materials in some countries, mainly as partial replacement of cement or aggregates in concrete. The ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators can be applied in a similar way. However, their chemical and mineralogical composition, granulometry and toxic constituents have to be taken into account. In this paper, four types of municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ashes produced by the modern MSWI facility in Liberec, Czech Republic, were investigated. The relationship between the particular ash properties (morphology, chemical composition) and its separation temperature in the incinerator line is discussed. A coal fly ash (class F) is characterized as well, for a comparison because its utilization in building industry is more developed. The studied MSWI ashes exhibit high concentration of chlorides and sulfates which is an unfavourable feature for a potential concrete admixture. On the other hand, three of four ashes are found to be pozzolanic active and certain hydration reactions are indicated.