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Zinc speciation in fine and coarse fly ash particles collected in-flight at a waste incinerator

Gorjatsova, Evelina LU ; Bergman, Fanny LU orcid ; Sigfridsson Clauss, Kajsa G.V. LU ; Skoglund, Nils ; Karlfeldt Fedje, Karin and Rissler, Jenny LU (2026) In ACS Environmental Au 6(2). p.283-294
Abstract
afe and optimized utilization of waste-to-energy (WtE) fly ash (FA) requires a detailed understanding of the physicochemical properties of its metal constituents. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical form of Zn in fine (<1 μm) and coarse (>1 μm) FA particles, hypothesized to originate from different formation mechanisms. Size-selective aerosol sampling was performed during standard operation in the flue gas channel at a WtE facility. Additionally, FA samples from the air pollution control filters at the facility and boiler deposits were analyzed. Speciation was determined primarily using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, complemented by XRD, SEM-EDS, and total elemental analysis. Significant... (More)
afe and optimized utilization of waste-to-energy (WtE) fly ash (FA) requires a detailed understanding of the physicochemical properties of its metal constituents. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical form of Zn in fine (<1 μm) and coarse (>1 μm) FA particles, hypothesized to originate from different formation mechanisms. Size-selective aerosol sampling was performed during standard operation in the flue gas channel at a WtE facility. Additionally, FA samples from the air pollution control filters at the facility and boiler deposits were analyzed. Speciation was determined primarily using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, complemented by XRD, SEM-EDS, and total elemental analysis. Significant differences in terms of elemental composition, crystalline phases, and Zn chemical forms were observed between fine- and coarse FA particles. Fine particles were dominated by Cl, K, and Na with Zn almost exclusively present as potassium zinc chlorides. Coarse particles were heterogeneous, with Zn occurring in stable forms such as aluminate, ferrite, and silicates (e.g., gehlenite). The major elemental constituents were Ca, Si, and Al. Although coarse particles constitute the major mass of the FA, about 50% of the Zn was found in the fine fraction. These findings support strategies for efficient secondary use and recycling of FA, such as targeted Zn extraction from fine particles and potential utilization of the Ca-rich coarse particles in construction, reducing the reliance on virgin materials. (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
2
pages
283 - 294
publisher
The American Chemical Society (ACS)
external identifiers
  • scopus:105033039343
  • pmid:41867295
ISSN
2694-2518
DOI
10.1021/acsenvironau.5c00222
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
fa3f41ae-4569-4cc6-99fc-ccfdb84d7649
date added to LUP
2026-03-02 13:09:00
date last changed
2026-06-02 03:00:28
@article{fa3f41ae-4569-4cc6-99fc-ccfdb84d7649,
  abstract     = {{afe and optimized utilization of waste-to-energy (WtE) fly ash (FA) requires a detailed understanding of the physicochemical properties of its metal constituents. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical form of Zn in fine (&lt;1 μm) and coarse (&gt;1 μm) FA particles, hypothesized to originate from different formation mechanisms. Size-selective aerosol sampling was performed during standard operation in the flue gas channel at a WtE facility. Additionally, FA samples from the air pollution control filters at the facility and boiler deposits were analyzed. Speciation was determined primarily using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, complemented by XRD, SEM-EDS, and total elemental analysis. Significant differences in terms of elemental composition, crystalline phases, and Zn chemical forms were observed between fine- and coarse FA particles. Fine particles were dominated by Cl, K, and Na with Zn almost exclusively present as potassium zinc chlorides. Coarse particles were heterogeneous, with Zn occurring in stable forms such as aluminate, ferrite, and silicates (e.g., gehlenite). The major elemental constituents were Ca, Si, and Al. Although coarse particles constitute the major mass of the FA, about 50% of the Zn was found in the fine fraction. These findings support strategies for efficient secondary use and recycling of FA, such as targeted Zn extraction from fine particles and potential utilization of the Ca-rich coarse particles in construction, reducing the reliance on virgin materials.}},
  author       = {{Gorjatsova, Evelina and Bergman, Fanny and Sigfridsson Clauss, Kajsa G.V. and Skoglund, Nils and Karlfeldt Fedje, Karin and Rissler, Jenny}},
  issn         = {{2694-2518}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{283--294}},
  publisher    = {{The American Chemical Society (ACS)}},
  series       = {{ACS Environmental Au}},
  title        = {{Zinc speciation in fine and coarse fly ash particles collected in-flight at a waste incinerator}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsenvironau.5c00222}},
  doi          = {{10.1021/acsenvironau.5c00222}},
  volume       = {{6}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}