Heavy metal migration during electroremediation of fly ash from different wastes—Modelling

Abstract

Fly ash is an airborne material which is considered hazardous waste due to its enrichment on heavy metals. Depending on the waste from which they are originated, fly ash may be further valorised, e.g. as soil amendment or concrete and ceramics adjuvant, or landfilled, when defined as hazardous material. In any case, heavy metal content has to be decreased either for fly ash valorisation or for complying with landfill criteria. The electrodialytic (EDR) process is a remediation technique based on the principle of electrokinetics and dialysis, having the aim to remove heavy metals from contaminated solid media. EDR was here applied to fly ashes from the combustion of straw (ST), from the incineration of municipal solid waste (DK and PT) and from the co-combustion of wood (CW). A statistical study, using F tests, Bonferroni multiple comparison method and a categorical regression, was carried out to determine which variables (“Ash type”, “Duration”, “Initial pH”, “Final pH”, “Acidification” and “Dissolution”) were the most significant for EDR efficiency. After establishing these, the selected variables were then used to characterize some kinetic parameters, from metals migration during EDR, using a biregressional design. Cd, Cr, Cu, Ca and Zn migration velocity and acceleration to the electrodes (anode and cathode) were then considered. Cd and Cu migration to the cathode were found to be significantly influenced by “Ash type”, “Duration”, “Final pH” and “Dissolution”.