Emissions of metals and organics from four municipal waste-water sludge incinerators: preliminary data

The paper presents preliminary results from a U.S. EPA test program on municipal waste-water sludge incinerators. The major objectives of the program were the following: (1) collecting data that allow a comparison of metals and organic compound emissions during steady-state and transient incinerator operation, (2) evaluating scrubber removal efficiencies for specific compounds, and (3) establishing cause and effect relationships between incinerator operating conditions and emissions. The technical approach first involved selection of appropriate test sites. Three sites with multiple hearth incinerators and one site with a fluidized-bed incinerator were selected. Sampling and analysis plans were then prepared for the overall project and for each specific site. At the time of preparation of the paper, testing at all four sites had been completed. Reported here are preliminary compilations of data and associated analyses that are now available.