Trace elements and mineral composition of waste produced in the process of combustion of solid fuels in individual household furnaces in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region (Poland)

This study presents preliminary research results, with regard to the concentration of chosen trace elements (Mn, Cr, Tl, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Ba, Pb) in waste, which was produced in the process of combustion of solid fuels (hard coal and flotation concentrate of bituminous coal) in individual household furnaces in Poland (in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region). 27 samples of ash, 4 samples of hard coal and 2 samples of flotation concentrate of bituminous coal were prepared for the research. Methods such as: ICP-MS, X-ray diffraction by means of the powder method and scanning electron microscopy were used during the research. In the ash samples obtained from the combustion of hard coal, the highest average concentrations were: Mn (1477.7 ppm), Ba (1336.4 ppm) and Zn (599.7 ppm). In the samples obtained from the combustion of flotation concentrate of bituminous coal, the highest average concentrations was stated for: Zn (762.4 ppm), Mn (668.5 ppm), Pb (552.1 ppm) and Ba (211.7 ppm). Crystalline components were determined by used the X-ray diffraction method and the samples of ash obtained from the combustion of hard coal contained: anhydrite, gypsum, hematite, magnetite, quartz, calcite, mullite, periclase, kaolinite, dolomite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena and feldspars (albite–anorthite). The samples of ash obtained from the combustion of flotation concentrate of bituminous coal contain: pyrite, quartz, potassium feldspar, muscovite and kaolinite. The scanning electron microscope analysis enabled the identification of the chemical composition of single ash grains and determined their morphology (aluminosilicate forms, substance PbS and ZnS, oxides of Ni, Cu and Mn, monazite, xenotime)

57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy investigations of iron phase composition in fluidized beds from the ELCHO power plant in Chorzów, Poland

The study investigates the physical and chemical properties of fly ash and bottom ash from a power plant ELCHO in Chorzów, Poland. Coal combustion products generated in the process of combustion in circulating fluidized beds (CFBs) are considerably different from fly and bottom ashes obtained from dust furnaces and multi-layer ones. The composition of the iron-bearing phase in the waste of circulating fluidized bed combustion was determined using Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) methods

Chemical and mineral composition of ashes from wood biomass combustion in domestic wood-fired furnaces

The paper presents the results of studies on ashes produced from burning wood biomass in closed wood-fired furnaces, in individual household furnaces (Silesian Province, Poland). Dry sieve analysis and detailed granulometric analysis were performed with the Analysette 22 Micro Tec plus analyser. Content of the basic elements (Al, Si, P, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe) and potentially toxic elements (As, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Hg) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Relative enrichment factors ( REFs) were calculated for the elements (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, As, Hg, and Cr), and the emissions (E) of Pb, Cd, Hg, and As to the environment were estimated. The carbon content (40.2%–45.8%), H (3.7%–6.1%), O (46.2%–50.2%), N (0.12%–0.32%), and S (0.11%–0.96%) in wood biomass varies and depends on the wood species and drying period. The content of volatile parts in wood biomass ranges between 69.3 and 81%. Ash content varies between 2.6 and 18.3%. The wood calorific value ranges from 13.6 MJ/kg to 17.4 MJ/kg. Moisture content in the wood biomass ranges from 13.7% (briquette) to 46.7% (fresh birch). Identification of mineral composition and phases yields a high share of calcite, monetite, fairchildite, and quartz in the examined ashes. The combustion of wood biomass in fireplaces results in increased emissions of Pb and Cd to the atmosphere and may be the cause of introducing pollutants to waters and soils during ash storage

Chemical and mineral composition of furnace slags produced in the combustion process of hard coal

Presented are the results of the examination of the chemical and mineral composition as well as iron compounds in furnace hearth slags coming into existence after the burning of hard coal. The samples of furnace hearth slags from heat and power plant and the hearths of the individual home furnaces fitted out with grate firings were compared. The examination methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD) with powder method, Mössbauer spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and ICP analysis were used. The main components of furnace hearth slags are SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3. On the basis of the X-ray diffraction, it was found that the domination components of furnace hearth slags are mullite and quartz. Furnace hearth slags are different as for the content of the concentration of toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Ni, Tl, Pb, Zn, As, Ba and Cu) and Fe

The influence of hard coal combustion in individual household furnaces on the atmosphere quality in Pszczyna (Poland)

This study aimed to determine the influence of ashes produced in the combustion of hard coal and eco-pea coal in individual household furnaces on the air quality in the region under analysis. To achieve this objective, we analysed the chemical and mineral composition of ashes, suspended and respirable dusts with particular attention being paid to phases containing potentially toxic elements (PTE) (As, Cd, Pb, Se, Ni, Ba, Tl, S, Th and U), and sulphur. The research methods used included powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Measurements were taken for PM concentrations, total suspended particulate matter (TSP), gaseous TVOC pollutants (volatile organic compounds) and soot at various altitudes and a mobile laboratory with measuring apparatus placed in the basket of a manned hotair balloon was used for the analysis. The use of Poland’s unique laboratory allowed us to obtain real-time measurements up to an altitude of 1200 m above sea level. Measurements using unmanned units such as drones do not enable such analyses. The research confirmed that PTE concentrations in ash and its mineral composition are varied. The PM10 and PM2.5 ashes are dominated by sodium chloride, particles containing C, and a substance composed of S+C+O+N+Na. Trace amounts of Pb and Zn sulphides are also present

Mineralogical and Chemical Specificity of Dusts Originating from Iron and Non-Ferrous Metallurgy in the Light of Their Magnetic Susceptibility

This study aims at detailed characteristics and comparison between dusts from various iron and non-ferrous metal production processes in order to identify individual mineral phases, chemical composition, and their influence on the values of magnetic susceptibility. Various analytical methods used include inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy integrated with magnetic susceptibility measurements and thermomagnetic analysis. Metallurgical wastes that have arisen at different production stages of iron and non-ferrous steel are subjected to investigation. The analyzed dust samples from the iron and non-ferrous metallurgy differ in terms of magnetic susceptibility as well as their mineral and chemical composition. The research confirmed the presence of many very different mineral phases. In particular, interesting phases have been observed in non-ferrous dust, for example challacolloite, which was found for the first time in the dusts of non-ferrous metallurgy. Other characteristic minerals found in non-ferrous metallurgy dusts are zincite, anglesite, and lanarkite, while dusts of iron metallurgy contain mostly metallic iron and iron-bearing minerals (magnetite, hematite, franklinite, jacobsite, and wüstite), but also significant amounts of zincite and calcite