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Physicochemical properties of fine and coarse fly ash aerosol particles from waste incineration

Bergman, Fanny LU orcid ; Rissler, Jenny LU orcid ; Janhäll, Sara LU orcid ; Strand, Michael ; Elmroth, Edvin LU orcid and Fedje, Karin Karlfeldt (2026) In ACS Environmental Au 6(4). p.654-664
Abstract
Understanding the physicochemical properties of fly ash from industrial and municipal solid waste incineration is essential for its safe and efficient utilization. This study investigated the particle size distribution and elemental size partitioning in fly ash aerosols from a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility with grate-fired boilers, along with the composition of boiler deposits and ash collected in the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The physicochemical properties of fly ash were investigated using online aerosol instruments combined with size-selective collection (low-pressure impactor and cyclone-filter setup) for gravimetric and elemental analyses. The particle size distribution was multimodal, with a distinct mass peak at 0.5 μm well... (More)
Understanding the physicochemical properties of fly ash from industrial and municipal solid waste incineration is essential for its safe and efficient utilization. This study investigated the particle size distribution and elemental size partitioning in fly ash aerosols from a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility with grate-fired boilers, along with the composition of boiler deposits and ash collected in the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The physicochemical properties of fly ash were investigated using online aerosol instruments combined with size-selective collection (low-pressure impactor and cyclone-filter setup) for gravimetric and elemental analyses. The particle size distribution was multimodal, with a distinct mass peak at 0.5 μm well separated from two overlapping modes at 30 and 200 μm. Fine particles (<1 μm) represented 16% of the total mass but were dominant in number. Elemental analysis showed that fine particles mainly consisted of Cl, Na, K, Zn, and S. Fine particles were enriched in potentially toxic yet valuable metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Sb, Pb, Sn). Coarse particles (>1 μm) were dominated by Ca, Si, and Al, while the above-mentioned metals were depleted. Boiler ash resembled the coarse fraction, and ESP ash was a mix of both fine and coarse particles. Increased knowledge of the elemental composition in different size fractions may enable large-scale size separation for improved resource recovery and safer utilization. The composition of the fine particles support targeted salt or metal recovery, while coarse particles are suitable for construction applications. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
ACS Environmental Au
volume
6
issue
4
pages
654 - 664
publisher
The American Chemical Society (ACS)
ISSN
2694-2518
DOI
10.1021/acsenvironau.6c00018
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3082da5a-aeb6-4680-af9c-e0cbe661d6b9
date added to LUP
2026-07-22 11:20:43
date last changed
2026-08-26 15:03:17
@article{3082da5a-aeb6-4680-af9c-e0cbe661d6b9,
  abstract     = {{Understanding the physicochemical properties of fly ash from industrial and municipal solid waste incineration is essential for its safe and efficient utilization. This study investigated the particle size distribution and elemental size partitioning in fly ash aerosols from a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility with grate-fired boilers, along with the composition of boiler deposits and ash collected in the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The physicochemical properties of fly ash were investigated using online aerosol instruments combined with size-selective collection (low-pressure impactor and cyclone-filter setup) for gravimetric and elemental analyses. The particle size distribution was multimodal, with a distinct mass peak at 0.5 μm well separated from two overlapping modes at 30 and 200 μm. Fine particles (&lt;1 μm) represented 16% of the total mass but were dominant in number. Elemental analysis showed that fine particles mainly consisted of Cl, Na, K, Zn, and S. Fine particles were enriched in potentially toxic yet valuable metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Sb, Pb, Sn). Coarse particles (&gt;1 μm) were dominated by Ca, Si, and Al, while the above-mentioned metals were depleted. Boiler ash resembled the coarse fraction, and ESP ash was a mix of both fine and coarse particles. Increased knowledge of the elemental composition in different size fractions may enable large-scale size separation for improved resource recovery and safer utilization. The composition of the fine particles support targeted salt or metal recovery, while coarse particles are suitable for construction applications.}},
  author       = {{Bergman, Fanny and Rissler, Jenny and Janhäll, Sara and Strand, Michael and Elmroth, Edvin and Fedje, Karin Karlfeldt}},
  issn         = {{2694-2518}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{654--664}},
  publisher    = {{The American Chemical Society (ACS)}},
  series       = {{ACS Environmental Au}},
  title        = {{Physicochemical properties of fine and coarse fly ash aerosol particles from waste incineration}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsenvironau.6c00018}},
  doi          = {{10.1021/acsenvironau.6c00018}},
  volume       = {{6}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}