Emissions of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans from Biomass Combustion and Solid Waste Incineration

Abstract

Dioxins (PCDDs) and furans (PCDFs) in which consist of carbon, oxygen, and chlorine are very toxic and hazardous substances. Dioxins emission from industrial biomass combustion can be a problem in the very near future. An increase of the dioxins emissions from a power boiler fuelled with biomass has provided insights on potential control technologies. The exposure of the population to chlorinated PCDDs and PCDFs in highly industrialized countries has reached an extent which requires the authorities in charge to seek a drastic reduction of the entry of these substances into the environment. Results from different furnaces were discussed and measures for dioxin reduction were proposed. Emissions from non-contaminated wood were usually less than 0.1 ng I-TEQ/N m ³ at 11% O ₂ .

Keywords:

• biomass
• combustion
• dioxins
• emissions
• firing
• furans
• incineration

Notes

^a I-TEQ: international toxic equivalent.