| Abstract: | From pollutant source to pollutant sink – Novel concepts of solid incineration. Until a few years ago, solid waste incineration plants were considered to be major sources of pollutant emission. Meanwhile, by enhancing the effectiveness of combustion and by integration of modern flue gas cleaning techniques, solid waste incineration now leads with regard to emission reducing engineering measures. Harmful effects on the environment no longer originate in the stacks of these plants. Recently, pollutants enriched in flue gas cleaning products have caused disposal problems. These problems can be solved by concentrating the harmful inorganic constituents, above all mercury and cadmium, to a still higher level through wet chemical extraction and removal of the resulting concentrate from the process. Organic pollutants can be conveniently destroyed by thermal treatment. Despite all the objections there are good chances of using solid waste incineration as a pollutant sink and hence as a tool helping to protect our environment. |
