10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Identification of Packaging Waste and Catalytical Soot Removal Powder Tracers in Masonry Heaters using Ash and Filter Analyses
MAREK MAASIKMETS, Hanna Lii Kupri, Alar Konist, Erik Teinemaa, Estonian Environmental Research Centre
Abstract Number: 1307 Working Group: Combustion
Abstract There is an urgent need to improve understanding the effects of solid waste burning on the air quality, public health and potential impact on climate change (Kawamura et al. 2010). Household waste burning can be an important organic aerosol source. Currently, this source is not included in most emission inventories, and there are only few studies available (Mohr et al. 2009).
Plastic materials cover the biggest fraction of the composition of municipal solid waste. Major compound in smoke from burning plastics include terephthalic acid used predominantly in beverage bottles and similar containers etc. The specific key oraganic tracer for burning of plastics found in atmospheric particle samples also include 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, which occurs in regions where plastic waste is burned (Simoneit et al. 2005). This suggests that waste composition is largely composite of plastic material, and such waste burning can be traced using the characteristic species detected in the smoke of plastics and refuse burnings (Kumar et al. 2015). Currently, there are only few studies related to tracers for plastic waste burning aerosols.
According to the members of Estonian Chamber of Chimney Sweepers evaluation, in addition to the wood, paper and cardboard waste, people also tend to burn Tetra Pak's, sanitary napkins, diapers, various plastic packages, shoes, textile etc. According to the Fire Safety Act, Estonians need to request certified chimney sweeper services at least once during a period of five years. However, it has emerged that during the five year period some people have started to use uncertified means in a form of burning soot and tar removal catalytic powder and -bricks in order to maintain the oven and chimney. These means do not have a composition list on the package to inform the users, but they consist different kind of metal salts and copper, which is known to favour PCDD/F formation. The environmental impact of such catalytic soot removing means has not been analysed thoroughly and usage is not regulated at the EU level.
Methods and results In this research we have measured emissions from the modern masonry heater, which occur during catalytic soot removing powder and -brick combustion. 3 types of experiments were conducted in the Estonian Environmental Research Centre’s stove laboratory. First experiments included combusting pure conifer and hardwood logwood. Conifer, hardwood logwood and soot removing powder experiments were conducted in two ways: 1. burning conifer, hardwood logwood and including weighted soot removing powder in three stages throughout the combustion process; 2. burning conifer, hardwood logwood and sprinkling the soot removing powder over the wood before the ignition. During the conifer, hardwood logwood and soot removing powder experiments, the powder was placed inside the oven before the ignition.
All particle and gas samples were taken from the hot flue gas. For the particle size distribution and number concentration measurements ELPI+ (10 l/min, (Dekati Ltd) was used. Gas samples (O2, SO2, NO, NO2, CO, CO2, HCl, HF, VOCs), temperature (°C), H2O (%) and gas flow (m/s) were measured simultaneously during the whole burning process. For the filter sampling Dekati PM10 impactor was used. Bottom ash samples were collected and stored after every experiment. From sampled filters and bottom ash terephthalic acid was extracted by sonication-assisted solvent extraction and then analyzed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Chromatography was performed on a reversed phase column with methanol and 0.1% formic acid as chromatographic eluents. In addition the chemical composition analysis of bottom ash and filter samples was done using a Rigaku ZSX Primus II WD-XRF spectrometer with 4kW tube and 30micron Beryllium window.
In this research we have found that the combustion of catalytic soot removing means have a significant effect on RWC air emissions and using specific markers it is possible to identify whether waste or soot removal powder in masonry heater was burned.
This work was supported by Estonian Environmental Investment fund.
[1] Kawamura et al. 2010. Atmospheric Environment 44, 5320-5321 [2] Kumar et al. 2015. Atmospheric Environment 108, 49-58. [3] Mohr et al. 2009. Environmental Science & Technology 43, 2443-2449. [4] Simoneit et al. 2005. Environmental Science & Technology 39, 6961-6970.