Solidification/stabilization and risk assessment of heavy metals in municipal solid waste incineration fly ash: A review

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Sep 20:892:164451. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164451. Epub 2023 May 29.

Abstract

Incineration is currently the most common method of treating municipal solid waste. Municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) contains a high concentration of toxic heavy metals (HMs), making it a hazardous waste. A series of detoxification treatments are required to reduce the toxicity of fly ash. Furthermore, the environmental risk of MSWI FA after treatment is becoming a cause of concern. This paper reviews the primary ash properties, pH, liquid-solid ratio, and other factors (microorganism, type of leaching agents, etc.) that affect the leaching of HMs from MSWI FA, compares and summarizes the most widely applied solidification/stabilization (S/S) techniques. In particular, models and methods for the environmental risk assessment and prediction of HMs are classified and described in detail. Finally, the inadequacy of current S/S techniques for MSWI FA is pointed out, which may be useful for upcoming studies on this topic.

Keywords: Environmental risk assessment; Heavy metals; MSWI FA; Solidification/stabilization.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carbon
  • Coal Ash / chemistry
  • Incineration
  • Metals, Heavy* / analysis
  • Particulate Matter
  • Refuse Disposal*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Solid Waste / analysis

Substances

  • Solid Waste
  • Coal Ash
  • Particulate Matter
  • Carbon
  • Metals, Heavy