Decontamination of granular wastes by mining separation techniques

Contaminated by heavy metals, organics and other compounds, granular wastes such as construction and demolition waste (CDW) and municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) bottom ash have negative effects on the environment. On the other hand, stony components in these waste streams have similar physical properties and chemical compositions as natural raw building materials. Therefore, such materials have potential application as secondary raw building material but for recycling to occur in an environmentally sound manner, decontamination using mining separation techniques is essential. In order to remove or reduce contaminants to acceptable levels, the selection of appropriate strategies is important. Based on the information about mining separation techniques, as well as contaminants properties, the general guidelines followed to select treatment techniques and processes are described in this paper.