Waste incineration process generates two main by-products streams: fly ash and bottom ash. Bottom ash is composed of a variety of oxides, heavy metals and salts. Chemical materials distributed unevenly in different fractions of bottom ash. This study investigates the heavy metals (Pb, Cd) content dependence of bottom ash and fraction composition. Studies were performed with five different fractions (0–2 mm; 2–5.6 mm; 5.6–11.2 mm; 11.2–22,4 mm; 22.4–40 mm) of fresh bottom ash. After a one-step leaching test (distilled water was used as a solvent), was determinate, that highest concentrations of the lead (Pb) (from 0.141 to 0.146 mg/l) are leached from the smallest (0–2 mm 2–5.6 mm) bottom ash fractions particles. Heavy metals concentration in these fractions eluates respectively was 2.83 and 2.91 times higher than the limit value of leaching. The highest concentration of cadmium (4.214 mg/l) was determinate in 0–2 mm fraction bottom ash eluate. concentration of cadmium was 1.40 times higher than the limit value of leaching. It can be concluded that 0–2 mm; 2–5.6 mm fraction bottom ash can’t be used in civil engineering, without pre-treatment (eg. washing or aging).

Article in: Lithuanian

Article published: 2017-09-11