Abstract
Huge amounts of waste are being generated, and even though the incineration process reduces the mass and volume of waste to a large extent, massive amounts of residues still remain. On average, out of 1.3 billion tons of municipal solid wastes generated per year, around 130 and 2.1 million tons are incinerated in the world and in Belgium, respectively. Around 400 kT of bottom ash residues are generated in Flanders, out of which only 102 kT are utilized here, and the rest is exported or landfilled due to non-conformity to environmental regulations. Landfilling makes the valuable resources in the residues unavailable and results in more primary raw materials being used, increasing mining and related hazards. Identifying and employing the right pre-treatment technique for the highest value application is the key to attaining a circular economy. We reviewed the present pre-treatment and utilization scenarios in Belgium, and the advancements in research around the world for realization of maximum utilization are reported in this paper. Uses of the material in the cement industry as a binder and cement raw meal replacement are identified as possible effective utilization options for large quantities of bottom ash. Pre-treatment techniques that could facilitate this use are also discussed. With all the research evidence available, there is now a need for combined efforts from incineration and the cement industry for technical and economic optimization of the process flow.
Highlights
In the present consumer society, mass production and consumption of goods leads to the generation of large quantities of municipal waste
This is an optimized process developed by Solvay Company (Neder-Over-Heembeek, Brussels, Belgium) in collaboration with Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) (Brussels, Belgium) in Belgium to increase the utilization of MSWI fly ash
MSWI ash is mainly utilized as a road subbase material, landfill structure material, embankment fill, as cement raw material and concrete products, out of which, the use in road base applications tops the lot in terms of volumes [19]
Summary
In the present consumer society, mass production and consumption of goods leads to the generation of large quantities of municipal waste. Collection, separation of recyclable or compostable materials and disposal of the residue to (sanitary) landfill or incineration facilities have become common practice in solid waste management in many developed, densely-populated areas. In this respect, Materials 2018, 11, 141; doi:10.3390/ma11010141 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials. The European Union published a directive in 1999 that aims to ban landfilling for all but hazardous waste Countries such as the United States and New Zealand instituted a landfill tax to prevent the recyclable resources being landfilled [5]. Use of MSWI ash in building materials can be considered as a viable alternative to landfilling, given the past successes in recycling of different waste streams
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