Effects of copper chloride on formation of polychlorinated dibenzofurans in model waste incineration in a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor

Combustion experiments in a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor have been performed to clarify the effects of copper chloride as a catalyst on polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) formation in municipal waste incineration. We used model wastes with and without copper chloride (CuCl2•2H2O) as a catalyst, both of which contained polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a chlorine source. Combustion temperature was set to 900°C, and the amount of air supplied was twice as much as the theoretical amount. The experimental setup had been carefully planned to ensure avoidance of the influences of previous experiments. Results of these present experiments revealed that copper chloride in the waste increased the amount of PCDFs formed and made the homologue profile shifted towards the highly chlorinated species. Copper chloride contributes to PCDFs formation by promoting chlorination via catalytic reactions, whereby the reaction could be important in that organic matters are chlorinated directly by chlorinated compounds related to Deacon reaction such as copper chloride. It was elucidated that characteristic isomer distribution patterns appeared in case the waste contained copper chloride. It is probable in our experiment with copper chloride that PCDFs are mainly formed via catalytic reactions of copper compounds and carbon.