Characterization of particulate emissions during pyrolysis and incineration of refuse derived fuel

Abstract Particle emissions generated during different stages of pyrolysis/incineration of refused derived fuel at the outlet of a pilot scale incinerator were characterized for mobility (with SMPS), total mass concentration (by filters) as well as by an optical particle counter and an impactor. Samples were extracted at a gas temperature 600°C and cooled to about 150°C. Total mass reached its peak of about 30 mg / Nm 3 during pyrolysis following the addition of fresh fuel, and dropped to a minimum around 2 mg / Nm 3 during after-combustion, as would be expected. Emissions during all stages were exclusively in the submicron range with number concentrations of 10 5 – 10 6 cm −3 and median diameters between 0.05 and 0.15 μm . The upper ends of those ranges were attained during the transition from pyrolysis to combustion. No particles above 1μm were detected with any of the instruments.