Correlation of CO and PAH emissions during laboratory-scale incineration of wood waste furnitures

Abstract

In the near future, in France, new regulations will govern the emissions of gaseous effluents. The industry of furniture will be concerned. This study describes the high temperature (800–1077°C) incineration of wood waste furnitures. Experiments were performed in a tubular quartz reactor with samples weighing about 1 g. Analyses of gaseous effluents were focused on carbon oxides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions. Samples with and without additives were tested in the same conditions to study the influence of the additives on the emissions. Samples under two different forms (shredded and waste boards) were tested. Most of the carbon contained in the waste (95%) was emitted under the speciation of CO 2. Excepted for board wastes, CO emissions represented 4–5% of the initial carbon and that present in PAHs was between 0.2 and 1% of the initial carbon. PAHs for all samples were sensitive to temperature with a maximum of formation in the range 900–954°C. Above 1000°C, significant abatement of PAHs was observed with an emission factor not exceeding 1700 mg kg −1 of wood treated. This study demonstrates that the bulk density of the sample is a very important factor. Board samples proceeding through complete combustion, traces of CO were detected and no PAHs formed. Among the PAHs, naphthalene (emitted in big quantities) is a good indicator of the total amount of PAHs formed whatever the wood wastes incinerated. This study points out a linear correlation of CO to PAHs emissions.