Environmental aspects of gasification of Korean municipal solid waste in a pilot plant

Municipal solid waste was gasified in a 3 ton/day capacity pilot plant based on thermoselect process with oxygen at a temperature of around 1200 °C. CO and H2 content of synthesis gas were about 27–40 and 36–40%, respectively with high heating value 8.0–10.2 MJ/N m3. Chlorinated compounds like furan, dioxin, and other organics in gaseous and liquid phase were effectively destroyed due to high temperature of high temperature reactor and shock cooling. Exhaust gases were also found to be satisfying the Korean emission standard. Leachable concentration of heavy metals in the vitrified mineral aggregate were much less than the Korean regulatory limit values due to high melting temperature (1600 °C). The vitrified slag of dark brown color was found to be glassy and non-hazardous in nature and seems to have the possibility to be used as natural raw material in cement and construction industry.