Pilot-scale studies on the effect of bromine addition on the emissions of chlorinated organic combustion by-products.
The addition of brominated organic compounds to the feed of a pilot-scale incinerator burning chlorinated waste has been found previously, under some circumstances, to enhance emissions of volatile and semivolatile organic chlorinated products of incomplete combustion (PICs) including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs). This phenomenon appears to be sensitive to temperature and combustion conditions. This paper reports on a study to evaluate the emissions of organic combustion by-products while varying amounts of bromine (Br) and chlorine (Cl) are being fed into a pilot-scale incinerator burning surrogate waste materials. The surrogate waste was fed at a constant molar halogen input rate, with varying Br/Cl molar ratios. In these tests, an approximately 30% decrease in the total PCDD/F concentrations due to the addition of Br was observed. This decrease appears to be a decrease only in the chlorinated dioxin and furan species; other halogenated dioxins and furans were formed instead. PCDD/F homologue distribution shifted towards the higher chlorinated species. Perhalogenated or nearly perhalogenated mixed bromo-chloro furans were also observed in quantities that could potentially account for the observed decrease in PCDDs/Fs. This research illustrates the need for careful trial burn planning if Br will be present in the facility's feed-stock during normal operation.
Lemieux
P M
PM
US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. lemieux.paul@epa.gov
Stewart
E S
ES
Ryan
J V
JV
D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis*; D001966:Bromine / Q000737:chemistry*; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005544:Forecasting; D017745:Incineration; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013696:Temperature
D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D001966:Bromine