ASME/US Bureau of Mines Investigative Program on Vitrification of Combustion ASH/Residue: Findings and Conclusions

Abstract

Vitrification of the residues from thermal processes into a dense, grainless, amorphous, glasslike material may provide an opportunity to permanently relieve our concerns regarding aquifer contamination and ... if the vitrified products are utilized, conserves those land areas which are suitable for disposal for those discards for which we have not as yet found a practical use. This discussion briefly describes and illustrates the implementation of the $1.2 million ASME/U.S. Bureau of Mines (BuMines) investigative program. The discussion will cover the scope and methods followed, equipment systems employed, and areas of investigation, as well as findings and conclusions in determining the potential effectiveness of sequentially vitrifying significant quantities of ash/residue from (a) three different types of mass burning municipal solid waste energy recovery facilities, (b) a regional wastewater treatment plant sludge combustor, and (c) air quality control products from a large energy recovery facility that burned refuse-derived-fuel while utilizing a fraction of the electric energy recovered. The project also identified potential beneficial applications for the resulting products, the environmental implications and projected overall economics.