Behavior of Heavy Metals during the Agro-Industrial Wastes Gasification

Abstract

The characterization analysis of three agro-industrial wastes was performed in order to study its thermal gasification. Some analyses such as determination of Ca, K and Mg concentration and determination of three representative toxic metals concentration Cd, Cr and Pb in all its oxidation states and the fundamental state, were carried out. The heavy metals concentration was also determined in the ashes obtained during the gasification process. The mobility of these elements was studied through three leaching tests. The behavior of heavy metals, sulfur and chlorine compounds, was predicted considering the presence of water vapor, syngas, Ca, Mg, K, Si, Al and other ash components. The heavy metals are not more concentrated in the gasification ash; these pollutants are released during this process. Ca, Mg and K presence in these residues would promote the pollutants retention. The ash of the studied waste can be disposed in controlled landfills or used in road construction, according to the obtained results during the leaching test DIN-DEV S4. The obtained results in the leaching test EPA 1311 TLCP classify these gasification ashes as no toxic waste.