Canada's National Incinerator Testing and Evaluation Program (NITEP) Air Pollution Control Technology Assessment

Abstract

In order to address the many concerns associated with emissions from municipal energy-from-waste facilities, Environment Canada established the National Incinerator Testing and Evaluation Program (NITEP). In recognition of the absence of a useful data base on incinerator emission control systems, Environment Canada, in co-operation with Flakt Canada, constructed a pilot plant to evaluate a dry scrubber system and a spray-dryer (wet-dry) system, each followed by a fabric filter (baghouse). Extensive sampling was done before and after each reactor, as well as in the stack. All particulate material collected in the bottom of the scrubbers and the fabric filter were analysed and subjected to leaching tests to determine the suitability of subsequent disposal alternatives. All samples taken were analysed for dioxins, furans, other organic substances, metals and acid gases. Many different operating conditions were tested to identify optimum removal efficiency for all pollutants of concern. The final results were very significant. Flue gas temperature was found to be an important operating variable for achieving high removal efficiency for many of the pollutants measured. Appropriate operating conditions were identified to obtain extremely high removal efficiencies for dioxins and furans (>99%), other trace organics (up to 98%), heavy metals, including mercury, arsenic, lead (>99%) and up to 97% for mercury. Excellent removal (>95%) was also obtained for acid gases, i.e. HCl and SO2.