PCDD/F mass balance in the flue gas cleaning units of a MSW incineration plant

With the main purpose of evaluating PCDD/F presence and the corresponding mass balance over the emissions control system, an extensive study was performed on a municipal solid waste full scale incinerator equipped with a best available technology flue gas treatment line. Present paper reports the main results obtained, with particular reference to the PCDD/F concentration profiles and mass balances derived for every process unit of the flue gas control system. Total release evaluated for the plant is also outlined compared with data on PCDD/F content of raw waste and with reference values included in most recent guidelines.