Pop Treatment Using Cement Kilns and Associated Emission to the Environment

Abstract:

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) include a wide range of toxic pollutants that can exist in the environment for a long period of time to circulate in the Globe and to cause adverse health effects. POP may be introduced into the environment from various sources. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), for example, are intentional POPs that are linked to the industrial use while dioxins are unintentional POPs that may be by-products of different processes. In addition, various POPs are emitted from different combustion processes as the incomplete combustion products. Many technologies are available for POP treatment. For stockpile POPs co-fueling in cement kilns can be applied. The high combustion temperature in kilns (up to 2000oC) can effectively destroy POPs.

At AIT, we conduct a research project on Hazardous Chemicals Management which aims to demonstrate the PCBs oil co-processing in cement kilns as a sound treatment method that uses existing facilities in developing countries. Demonstration projects are planned in both Thailand and Vietnam. This research conducts the stack emission monitoring for PCB and dioxins as well as the levels of POPs in the cement product to determine the PCB destruction efficiency by the treatment method. A comparative analysis of different treatment technologies is also performed to recommend the most suitable ones for developing countries.

Keywords: POPs, PCBs, co-processing, stack emission