Levels and profiles of dioxins from circulating fluidised bed incineration

In China, minimising the emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-pdioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) remains full of challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive diagnosis of formation, destruction and removal of dioxins in MSWI, after finding out their main area of formation and the parameters influencing their level and signature. The PCDD/F loads significantly increase between furnace exit and the entrance of the air pollution control system (APCS), i.e., in the temperature range of 450 to 250°C. In addition, co-combustion of low-calorific municipal solid waste (MSW) with sulphur-containing coal provides pathways to reduce PCDD/F creation by improving combustion conditions, reducing precursors and unburned carbon, and suppressing PCDD/F formation by the SO2 liberated. Adequate activated carbon (AC) feeding systems and adsorption ability of AC are essential for removing dioxins.