Evaluating the recycling potential of ashes discharged from waste incineration facilities and its dependency on pretreatment efficiency in Korea

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) 2023-07, Vol.167, p.141-149
• Main Authors: Kyu Choi, Myung, Kang, Jang-Hyun, Yoon, Young-Sam, Yoo, Heung-Min, Seok Choi, Hang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coal Ash; Environmental assessment; Incineration; Incineration ash; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Pretreatment; Recycling; Republic of Korea; Solid Waste - analysis; Waste recycling
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.05.022

[Display omitted] •The database of hazardous substances in incineration ash is established.•The stabilization efficiency for the pretreatment of incineration ash is estimated.•The recycling potential of incineration ash considering pretreatment is assessed. The amount of incineration ash (IA) is expected to increase in South Korea from the rapidly rising numbers and operation capacities of incineration facilities; therefore, it remains necessary to establish measurements for the enhanced recycling and circularity of IA. This study established a database of hazardous substances in IA by compiling discharge data and survey results from domestic incineration facilities, along with literature survey values. The recycling potential of IA was assessed considering leaching reduction efficiency of various pretreatment methods. In particular, 98.2% of bottom ash and 49.0% of fly ash satisfied the IA recycling criteria after melting. Also, when mixed at a ratio of ∼ 78:22 natural soil to IA, the resulting material was usable for media-contact recycling by meeting the heavy metal content criteria of the Soil Environment Conservation Act.