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EFFECT OF SULFUR DIOXIDE ON THE FORMATION MECHANISM OF POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZODIOXIN AND DIBENZOFURAN IN MUNICIPAL WASTE COMBUSTORS
Citation:
Gullett, B., K. Bruce, AND L. Beach. EFFECT OF SULFUR DIOXIDE ON THE FORMATION MECHANISM OF POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZODIOXIN AND DIBENZOFURAN IN MUNICIPAL WASTE COMBUSTORS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-92/410.
Description:
The paper gives results of an investigation of the effect of S02 on the formation mechanism of polychlorinated dibenzodioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) in the post-combustion, downstream region (500 to 300 C) of a municipal waste combustor (MWC). Laboratory experiments simulating the flue gases and particle environment of an MWC examined PCDD production under vary- ing conditions. Effects on the concentration of the organic- chlorinating constituent, C12, through both homogeneous reaction with S02 and deactivation of a C12-forming catalyst, Cu(II), were examined. Experimental results suggest that the reaction of Cu(II) with S02 to form CuS04 renders the catalyst less active, decreasing PCDD formation by minor amounts. However, this inactivity is not the result of decreased C12 formation, but rather of reduced ability of Cu(II) to promote a second catalytic step of biaryl synthesis. These findings suggest that the apparent lack of PCDD and PCDF in the emissions from coal-fired combustors may be due to the relatively high concentration of 502.