Formation of Chlorinated Organic Compounds by Combustion of Hazardous Wastes

It is very important to study toxic chemical substances formed from hazardous wastes by combustion. Most of the wastes are disposed on landfill or incinerated. Regarding the formation ofchemical substances produced during the incineration process, many aspects are still unknown including the mechanism of formation. We have investigated the formation of semi-volatile chlorinated organic compounds in waste incinerators. Polychlorinated phenols (PCPs) and polychlorinated benzenes (PCBzs) were analyzed by HRGC/MS-SIM and the PTRI data of all congeners were calculated. Vapor-phase components and components bound on particle in the stack gas were sampled. The circulating water for scrubber, cooling water and NaOH solution for desulfurizing apparatus were also sampled. Components in aqueous phase and components bound on particles were analyzed individually. PCBzs and PCPs isomer contents were determined and isomer contents of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were evaluated. Isomer patterns of those compoundsin the circulating water suggested that 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenol was dominant among trichlorophenol isomers. Most of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons which was discharged from disposal facility would be emitted into exhaust gas. On the other hand, high-boiling point organiccompounds would exist on particles or in aqueous phase in the circulating water and be hardly emitted into the atmosphere as exhaust gas components.