CHLORINATED DIBENZODIOXIN AND DIBENZOFURAN EMISSIONS FROM WASTE COMBUSTION PLANTS IN THE UK

The UK Department of Trade and Industry funded extensive studies into the emissions from a variety of small scale waste combustion plants. In this paper we analyse the data on polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions from these studies. We conclude that simple correlations of PCDD/F emissions against parameters such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, feedstock composition, combustion or boiler exit temperature do not provide any guide to the emission of PCDD/F. The complex interaction between the varying fuel properties and the design features of combustion equipment mean that a greater understanding of the fundamental mechanisms is required to ensure effective control of PCDD/F at a reasonable cost.