Optimization,Kinetics, and Equilibrium Studies on the Removal of Lead(II) from an Aqueous Solution Using Banana Pseudostem as an Adsorbent

Natural adsorbents such as banana pseudostem can play a vital role in the removal of heavy metal elements from wastewater. Major water resources and chemical industries have been encountering difficulties in removing heavy metal elements using available conventional methods. This work demonstrates the potential to treat various effluents utilizing natural materials. A characterization of banana pseudostem powder was performed using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy before and after the adsorption of lead(II). Experiments were carried out using a batch process for the removal of lead(II) from an aqueous solution. The effects of the adsorption kinetics were studied by altering various parameters such as initial pH, adsorbent dosage, initial lead ion concentration, and contact time. The results show that the point of zero charge (PZC) for the banana pseudostem powder was achieved at a pH of 5.5. The experimental data were analyzed using isotherm and kinetic models. The adsorption of lead(II) onto banana pseudostem powder was fitted using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption capacity was found to be 34.21 mg·g^–1, and the pseudo second-order kinetic model showed the best fit. The optimum conditions were found using response surface methodology. The maximum removal was found to be 89%.     

Characterization of Rice Hull Ash and Its Performance in Turbidity Removal From Water

This study characterizes the locally obtained samples of rice hull ash and investigates its performance on turbidity removal from water. Four samples of this material were studied, namely, unwashed parboiled rice hull ash (UPRHA), washed parboiled rice hull ash (WPRHA), unwashed unparboiled rice hull ash (UUPRHA), and washed unparboiled rice hull ash (WUPRHA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were carried out to characterize these samples. A filtration process was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the rice hull ash medium in removing water turbidity. The XRD results showed the silica, which is present in the ashes, to be cristobalite, quartz, and tridymite. The silica contents of the UUPRHA and WUPRHA were observed to be 77.10% and 98.24%, respectively, while those of UPRHA and WPRHA were 79.07% and 94.97%, respectively. The SEM images showed agglomeration of ash particles after the ashes were washed. The washed RHA samples showed improved pH, a good percentage of turbidity removal (<5 NTU) from water sample. Washing RHA with distilled water increased the efficiency of RHA in turbidity removal from water and regulated water pH to an acceptable range.     

Removal of Fe(II) from tap water by electrocoagulation technique

Electrocoagulation (EC) is a promising electrochemical technique for water treatment. In this work electrocoagulation (with aluminum as electrodes) was studied for iron Fe(II) removal from aqueous medium. Different concentration of Fe(II) solution in tap water was considered for the experiment. During EC process, various amorphous aluminum hydroxides complexes with high sorption capacity were formed. The removal of Fe(II) was consisted of two principal steps; (a) oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) and (b) subsequent removal of Fe(III) by the freshly formed aluminum hydroxides complexes by adsorption/surface complexation followed by precipitation. Experiments were carried out with different current densities ranging from 0.01 to 0.04 A/m². It was observed that the removal of Fe(II) increases with current densities. Inter electrode distance was varied from 0.005 to 0.02 m and was found that least inter electrode distance is suitable in order to achieve higher Fe(II) removal. Other parameters such as conductivity, pH and salt concentration were kept constant as per tap water quality. Satisfactory iron removal of around 99.2% was obtained at the end of 35 min of operation from the initial concentration of 25 mg/L Fe(II). Iron concentration in the solution was determined using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. By products obtained from the electrocoagulation bath were analyzed by SEM image and corresponding elemental analysis (EDAX). Cost estimation for the electrocoagulation was adopted and explained well. Up to 15 mg/L of initial Fe(II) concentration, the optimum total cost was 6.05 US$/m³. The EC process for removing Fe(II) from tap water is expected to be adaptable for household use.     

Utilisation of MSWI bottom ash as sub-base in road construction: first results from a large-scale test site

The preferred management option for municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) bottom ash in Denmark is utilisation rather than landfilling, but the current environmental quality criteria for bottom ash to be utilised in bulk quantities are rather strict. To evaluate the impact and risk assessments, upon which those criteria are based, a large-scale test site has been established. Three different MSWI bottom ashes have been used as sub-base in six test units ranging from 100 to 200 m2 with top covers of asphalt, flagstones and pebbles, respectively. All units, except one, are equipped with bottom liners and leachate collection equipment. The test site provides information on the leachate quality and quantity as a function of time under different conditions and on the flow pattern in asphalt and flagstone covered roads and squares with MSWI bottom ash sub-base. In addition, the leaching behaviour of the bottom ashes has been studied in the laboratory. The test site was established in October 2002 and the project is still ongoing. Water balance results indicate that the water flow distribution is strongly influenced by lateral flow on or in the upper part of the bottom ash layer and possibly by preferential flow. Comparisons between eluates from laboratory leaching tests on the bottom ashes and observations of the leachate from the site as a function of L/S show fairly good agreement for salts but less agreement for some trace elements. Most likely, this is partly due to the fact that the pH observed in the leachate from the field sites is lower than that observed in the eluates from the laboratory leaching tests.     

Comparative study of adsorption properties of Turkish fly ashes. II. The case of chromium (VI) and cadmium (II)

The purpose of the study described in this paper was to compare the removal of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) from an aqueous solution using two different Turkish fly ashes; Afsin-Elbistan and Seyitomer as adsorbents. The influence of four parameters (contact time, solution pH, initial metal concentration in solution and ash quality) on the removal at 20+/-2 degrees C was studied. Fly ashes were found to have a higher adsorption capacity for the adsorption of Cd(II) as compared to Cr(VI) and both Cr(VI) and Cd(II) required an equilibrium time of 2h. The adsorption of Cr(VI) was higher at pH 4.0 for Afsin-Elbistan fly ash (25.46%) and pH 3.0 for Seyitomer fly ash (30.91%) while Cd(II) was adsorbed to a greater extent (98.43% for Afsin-Elbistan fly ash and 65.24% for Seyitomer fly ash) at pH 7.0. The adsorption of Cd(II) increased with an increase in the concentrations of these metals in solution while Cr(VI) adsorption decreased by both fly ashes. The lime (crystalline CaO) content in fly ash seemed to be a significant factor in influencing Cr(VI) and Cd(II) ions removal. The linear forms of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations were utilised for experiments with metal concentrations of 55+/-2mg/l for Cr(VI) and 6+/-0.2mg/l for Cd(II) as functions of solution pH (3.0-8.0). The adsorption of Cr(VI) on both fly ashes was not described by both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms while Cd(II) adsorption on both fly ashes satisfied only the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption capacities of both fly ashes were nearly three times less than that of activated carbon for the removal of Cr(VI) while Afsin-Elbistan fly ash with high-calcium content was as effective as activated carbon for the removal of Cd(II). Therefore, there are possibilities for use the adsorption of Cd(II) ions onto fly ash with high-calcium content in practical applications in Turkey.     

Electrodialytic removal of heavy metals from different fly ashes. Influence of heavy metal speciation in the ashes

Electrodialytic remediation, an electrochemically assisted extraction method, has recently been suggested as a potential method for removal of heavy metals from fly ashes. In this work, electrodialytic remediation of three different fly ashes, i.e. two municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ashes and one wood combustion fly ash was studied in lab scale, and the results were discussed in relation to the expected heavy metal speciation in the ashes. The pH-dependent desorption characteristics for Cr differed between the two MSWI ashes but were similar for Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu. Thus, it was expected that the speciation of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu was similar in the two ashes. However, in succeeding electrodialytic remediation experiments significant differences in removal efficiencies were observed, especially for Pb and Zn. In analogous electrodialytic remediation experiments, 8% Pb and 73% Zn was removed from one of the MSWI ashes, but only 2.5% Pb and 24% Zn from the other. These differences are probably due to variations in pH and heavy metal speciation between the different ashes. Cd, the sole heavy metal of environmental concern in the wood ash, was found more tightly bonded in this ash than in the two MSWI ashes. Approximately 70% Cd was removed from both types of ashes during 3 weeks of electrodialytic remediation, although the total concentration was a factor of 10 lower in the wood ash. It was suggested that complex Cd-silicates are likely phases in the wood ash whereas more soluble, condensed phases are dominating in the MSWI ashes.     

Removal of trivalent chromium from aqueous solution by zeolite synthesized from coal fly ash

The capability of 14 zeolites synthesized from different fly ashes (ZFAs) to sequestrate Cr(III) from aqueous solutions was investigated in a batch mode. The influence of pH on the sorption of Cr(III) was examined. ZFAs had a much greater ability than fly ash to remove Cr(III), due to the high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the high acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of ZFAs. The mechanism of Cr(III) removal by ZFAs involved ion exchange and precipitation. A high-calcium content in both the fly ashes and ZFAs resulted in a high ANC value and, as a result, a high immobilization capacity for Cr(III). The pH strongly influenced Cr(III) removal by ZFAs. Inside the solubility range, removal of chromium increased with increasing pH. Hydroxysodalite made from a high-calcium fly ash had a higher sorptive capacity for Cr(III) than the NaP1 zeolite from medium- and low-calcium fly ashes. On the other hand, at pH values above the solubility range, the efficiency of chromium removal by the ZFAs approached 100% due to the precipitation of Cr(OH)3 on the sorbent surfaces. It is concluded that ZFAs and high-calcium fly ashes may be promising materials for the purification of Cr(III) from water/wastewater.     

Cement-stabilized fly ash base courses

Various demonstration projects have been carried out in The Netherlands with cement-stabilized fly ash as a base course. Usually these courses were made of 100 parts by mass of fly ash; 10 parts by mass of cement; 20 to 30 parts by mass of water. However, the projects were not quite successful since delamination was observed, and long-term strength, after a period of six years of performance, appears to be much smaller than expected on the basis of preliminary laboratory research. A model for pozzolanic reaction of fly ash recently developed by Fraay and Bijen pointed out that the reactivity of fly ash is influenced greatly by the pH value of the pore water. A pH of at least 13 is required to initiate fly ash pozzolanic reaction in a Portland cement environment. Pore water extraction measurements showed that the pH of cement-stabilized fly ash often has a substantially lower value. In this high-volume fly ash application the effect of the acidity of fly ash is much greater than in ordinary concrete with cement replaced by fly ash up to 30%. By addition of NaOH and/or sodium silicate to the mixing water, the pH value can be increased above the ‘threshold’ value.

Tests were carried out with different types of class-F fly ashes and with different NaOH concentrations in the mixing water. The results show an increase in compressive strength of up to 300% depending on the type of fly ash, and a substantial decrease in the rate of water absorption.     

A study on removal characteristics of copper from aqueous solution by sewage sludge and pomace ashes

In the present work, the abilities of sewage sludge and pomace ashes to remove copper (Cu(2+)) ions from aqueous solutions are compared. Batch adsorption experiments were performed in order to evaluate the removal efficiency of these materials. Effect of contact time, solution pH, ash concentration and temperature on the removal of Cu(2+) was investigated. The results of batch equilibrium studies showed that the solution pH was the key factor affecting the adsorption characteristics. In general, the amount of Cu removed increased as the solid concentration and pH increased, and then it remained constant over a wide pH region. The adsorption test of applying sewage sludge and pomace ashes into synthetic wastewater revealed that the adsorption data of these materials for copper ions were better fitted to the Langmuir isotherm since the correlation coefficients for the Langmuir isotherm were higher than that for the Freundlich isotherm. The estimated maximum capacities of copper adsorbed by sewage sludge and pomace ashes were 5.71 and 6.98 mg g(-1), respectively. Experimental results indicated that the adsorption was favorable at higher pH and higher temperature. Values of DeltaG degrees ranging from -4.64 to -5.13 kcal mol(-1) for sewage sludge ash and from -4.97 to -5.53 kcal mol(-1) for pomace ash suggest that the adsorption reaction is a physical process enhanced by the electrostatic effect. The values of DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees are, respectively, 4.27 kcal mol(-1) and 30.6 cal K(-1)mol(-1) for sewage sludge ash and 4.33 kcal mol(-1) and 31.3 cal K(-1)mol(-1) for pomace ash. The mechanisms of copper removal by these materials included adsorption and precipitation. The sewage sludge and pomace ashes are shown to be effective adsorbents for this metal.     

Carbonate effects and pH-dependence of uranium sorption onto bacteriogenic iron oxides: kinetic and equilibrium studies

The removal of U(VI) from groundwaters by adsorption onto bacteriogenic iron oxides (BIOS) has been investigated under batch mode. The adsorbent dosage, the uranium concentration, the concentration of carbonate and the use of a real groundwater spiked with uranium comprised the examined parameters. In addition, the effect of pH was examined in two different water matrixes, i.e., in distilled water and in real groundwater. Equilibrium studies were carried out to determine the maximum adsorption capacity of BIOS and the data correlated well with the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The presence of carbonate affected adversely the adsorption of U(VI) onto BIOS. The maximum adsorption capacity of BIOS was 9.25 mg g(-1) at 0.1mM carbonate concentration and decreased to 6.93 mg g(-1) at 0.5mM carbonate concentration, whereas at carbonate concentration of 2mM practically no adsorption occurred. The data were further analyzed using the pseudo-second order kinetic equation, which fitted best the experimental results. The initial adsorption rate (h) was found to increase with decreasing the concentration of carbonate in all cases. When experiments were accomplished in the absence of carbonate, the pH values did not have an effect on the adsorption of U(VI). However, the extent of U(VI) adsorption was strongly pH-dependent when the experiments were carried out in the real groundwater. The maximum adsorption capacity increased sharply as the pH decreased and optimum removal was obtained in the pH range 3.2-4.0, thus bacteriogenic iron oxides can found application in the removal of U(VI) by adsorption from low pH or low carbonate waters.     

User perception study for performance evaluation of domestic defluoridation techniques for its application in rural areas

Fluoride concentrations in ground water have been monitored in rural areas of Dhar and Jhabua districts in Madhya Pradesh, India. A correlation of fluoride concentration with pH, TDS and conductivity has been estimated to identify surrogate monitoring parameter. Further, fluoride removal from drinking water has been achieved by using adsorbents specially developed for domestic applications. These adsorbents have been evaluated using three different methods namely; loose adsorbent, pre-packed sachet and packed bamboo column. Comparative evaluation of these methods has been demonstrated in the laboratory and field. The stringent limit of 1mg/L for fluoride concentration in drinking water has been achieved by use of specially designed adsorbents. A feedback from end-users in Tarapur and Ukala villages of Dhar districts Madhya Pradesh regarding the adsorbents and its acceptability has been collected. User's perception regarding these household treatments reveals encouraging response for defluoridation methods. According to user's perception loose adsorbent approach emerged out as most simple, clean and safe household defluoridation method.     

Phosphate immobilization from aqueous solution by fly ashes in relation to their composition

Phosphate sorption capacities of 15 Chinese fly ashes were determined and related to their composition. The data of P sorption were best fitted to Langmuir equation, and the calculated sorption maxima of phosphate (Qm) ranged from 5.51 to 42.55 mg/g. The Qm value showed a significantly positive correlation with total Ca content (r=0.9836**) and total Fe content (r=0.8049**), but negative correlation with total Si and total Al content. Correlation coefficients of CaO (r=0.9647**) and CaSO4 (r=0.9399**) were much greater than that of CaCO3 (r=0.6361*). Correlation coefficients of Qm with Fe2O3d and Al2O3d were much higher than those of total Fe and total Al contents, respectively. Fractionation of P sorbed by fly ash revealed that loosely bound P fraction and/or Ca+Mg-P fraction were the dominant form of immobilized phosphate. Ca content was strongly correlated with the Ca+Mg-P fraction instead of Mg content, whereas Fe content was highly correlated with Fe-Al-P fraction compared with Al content. The loosely bound P was correlated well with both Ca and Fe content. The greatest removal of phosphate occurred at alkaline conditions for high calcium fly ash, at neutral pH levels for medium calcium fly ash, while low calcium fly ash immobilized little phosphate at all pH values. This behavior was explained by the reaction of phosphate with Ca and Fe related components. It was concluded that P immobilization by fly ash was governed by Ca ingredient (especially CaO and CaSO4) and Fe ingredient (especially Fe2O3d).     

The role of iron in the formation of inorganic polymers (geopolymers) from volcanic ash: a 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study

The behavior of the iron present in two volcanic ashes was investigated during geopolymer synthesis using sodium hydroxide as the sole alkali activator. XRD, SEM, and room-temperature ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy were used to monitor the behavior of the iron during the synthesis reaction. Geopolymers with very good compressive strengths were formed, especially with the finer ash, in which the iron is present in the crystalline minerals ferroan forsterite and augite. Mössbauer spectroscopy identified the ferrous sites in these minerals, plus a ferric site, probably located in an X-ray amorphous phase. The ferroan forsterite in the original ashes did not react with NaOH, but a substantial proportion of the augite reacted to form new ferric sites with parameters similar to distorted tetrahedral or 5-coordinated environments, suggesting the possible incorporation of ferric iron in the tetrahedral network of the geopolymer product. These results indicate that iron is not necessarily deleterious to geopolymer formation, as has sometimes been suggested.     

Hexacyanoferrate(III) oxidation of arsenic and its subsequent removal from the spent reaction mixture

Inorganic arsenic is the most toxic form and has been classified in group 1 as carcinogenic to humans which induces lung, urinary bladder and primary skin cancer. Worldwide concern over its presence in water bodies have prompted much research and policy development focusing on the removal of this chronic human carcinogen. It has been observed that the ash of Unio (Lamellidens marginalis--the fresh water mussel) can be used successfully for the removal of arsenic(V) from the aqueous solutions at low pH (～9.0). Initially the kinetics of oxidation of arsenic(III) by alkaline hexacyanoferrate(III), both with and without adding iridium(III) chloride was studied. Subsequently after complete removal of ferrocyanide, the removal of arsenic(V) produced in the spent reaction mixture was taken up. Out of the five ashes obtained from different sources, the ash of Unio was found to be the best which results in decreasing arsenic(V) concentration from 1000 ppb to >10 ppb, TDS from 16.9 ppt to 8.5 ppt and conductivity from 33.8 mS to 17.1 mS. Kinetic results show the possibility of graphical separation of the reaction proceeding in the absence of iridium(III) from that proceeding in the presence of iridium(III) chloride.     

Removal of arsenic from water using Fe-exchanged natural zeolite

An elevated arsenic (As) content in groundwater imposes a great threat to people worldwide. Thus, developing new and cost-effective methods to remove As from groundwater and drinking water becomes a priority. Using iron/aluminum hydroxide to remove As from water is a proven technology. However, separation of As-bearing fine particles from treated water presented a challenge. An alternative method was to use coarse-grained sorbents to increase the flow rate and throughput. In this research, a natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) was exchanged with iron(III) to enhance its As removal. Batch test results showed a Fe(III) sorption capacity of 144 mmol/kg on the zeolite. The As sorption on the Fe-exchanged zeolite (Fe-eZ) could reach up to 100mg/kg. Columns packed with Fe-eZ were tested for As removal from water collected from acid mine drainage (AMD) and groundwater containing high natural organic matter and high As(III). With an initial concentration of 147 μg/L in the AMD water, a complete As removal was achieved up to 40 pore volumes. However, the Fe-eZ was not effective to remove As from Chia-Nan Plain groundwater due to its high initial As concentration (511 μg/L), high amounts of natural organic matter, as well as its low oxidation-reduction potential, under which the As was in reduced As(III) form.     

Coupled acidification and ultrasound with iron enhances nitrate reduction

Contaminated soils, especially when pollutant concentrations are high, pose potentially serious threats to surface and groundwater quality, when there are spills, discharges, or leaking storage tanks. For in situ remediation of nitrate in groundwater, the use of zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) is suggested. The formation of passivating scales on Fe(0) over time may limit the long-term reduction potential of Fe(0). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound and pH on the destruction of passive oxide film. Batch tests were conducted in a specially designed protocol using ultrasound, and changing iron (commercial iron powder of micro-scale grain size) loading and pH. The results showed deactivation of the degradation process by Fe(0) with combined ultrasound/iron system and with ultrasound alone. However, the degradation rate increases with decrease in pH. The degradation rate was 45% for pH 2 and 20% for pH 4. The combination of iron, acidification, and ultrasound showed excellent degradation efficiency, and the degradation rate was 99%. Acidification could destroy passive oxide film and activate iron, thus, hastening the reaction between Fe(0) and nitrate. Ultrasound was helpful in destroying or preventing the formation of passive oxide film under acidification.     

Characteristics of industrial and laboratory meat and bone meal ashes and their potential applications

This paper reports the characterization of four meat and bone meal (MBM) ashes obtained from specific incineration (laboratory) and from co-incineration (industrial process). Three out of the four MBM ashes were mainly composed of calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite and whitlockite). Their compositions (major and trace) were in the range for natural phosphate rocks. Trace element contents, including heavy metals, were below 0.6% and industrial ashes contained much more heavy metals than laboratory ash. The amounts of leached elements were low, especially for laboratory ash. According to the European classification of waste to be landfilled, the laboratory ash can be classified as an inert waste. Two industrial ashes are mostly inert. Only one ash is highly leachable and needs a stabilization treatment to be classified at least in the category of hazardous waste. It seems, from these results, that possibilities other than landfilling could be considered to give economic value to these ashes.     

Removal of arsenic from water by zero-valent iron

Batch and column experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH on arsenic removal with zero-valent iron [Fe(0)]. Arsenic removal was dramatically affected by the DO content and the pH of the solution. Under oxic conditions, arsenate [As(V)] removal by Fe(0) filings was faster than arsenite [As(III)]. Greater than 99.8% of the As(V) was removed whereas 82.6% of the As(III) was removed at pH 6 after 9h of mixing. When the solution was purged with nitrogen gas to remove DO, less than 10% of the As(III) and As(V) was removed. High DO content and low solution pH also increased the rate of iron corrosion. The removal of arsenic by Fe(0) was attributed to adsorption by iron hydroxides generated from the oxic corrosion of Fe(0). The column results indicated that a filtration system consisting of an iron column and a sand filter could be used for treatment of arsenic in drinking water.     

The removal of arsenic(V) from acidic solutions

The residual concentrations of dissolved arsenic(V) in 1.5% sulphuric acid solutions treated with iron salts and alkaline earth metal compounds have been measured. The results are plotted on triangular composition diagrams covering the composition ranges As 0.2% to 1.2%, Fe 1.0% to 4.0%, alkaline earth metal 3.0% to 6.5%. The results indicate that ferrous iron and lime are the most effective in removing 99.9% of the arsenic over a wide composition range to give residual dissolved arsenic concentrations of ca. 0.5 ppm. Ferric iron is more effective when used in conjunction with mixed calcium and magnesium hydroxides than with lime alone. Ferric iron and dolomite offered the least effective treatment.The effect of lime particle size on the residual dissolved arsenic concentration following ferrous iron-lime treatment was studied. The optimum lime particle size range for arsenic removal was 50–100 μm.Leaching tests were carried out on samples of arsenic bearing sludge from the ferrous iron and lime treatment process mixed with sand chalk and clay soils. The presence of 5,000 ppm of acetic acid in the aqueous leachant did not appear to significantly affect the leaching test results and, after passage through contaminated and uncontaminated soils arsenic concentrations in the leachate were generally below 0.05 ppm. Ferrous iron and lime appeared to be suitable for treating the arsenic solutions and the resulting sludge seemed to be suitable for land disposal.     

Electroremediation of straw and co-combustion ash under acidic conditions

Biomass, such as wood and straw, is currently used in EU as a renewable energy source for energy production and this application is expected to rise in coming years. Combined heat and power installations produce fly ash, which is considered hazardous waste. The fly ash management issue should be addressed before biomass combustion is considered a truly sustainable technology. The electrodialytic process is a remediation technique able to assist the management of fly ash. For this work, straw and co-combustion of wood ash are briefly characterized and their electrodialytic treatment is carried out under acidic conditions. Straw ashes presented high removal rates for Ca, Cu, Cr and particularly for Cd, which has been reduced to a level bellow the established by Danish regulations. Acidification also induced a high dissolution and a lower pH of the ash. Fly ash from co-combustion of wood presents similarities with wood ash alone. However, further characterization should be carried out before any comparison regarding applicable legislation. Under acidic conditions, the electrodialytic treatment was not effective for the co-combustion wood ash. The heavy metals appeared in the least soluble fraction of this ash and lowering the pH of such an alkaline material does not mean sustainability and may hinder its reuse.