Incinerator Waste As Secondary Raw Material: Examples Of Applications In Glasses, Glass-Ceramics And Ceramics

The recovery & beneficiation of solid waste residues (bottom & fly ash) produced during incineration of municipal wastes are very important goals from the environmental & economic point of view. Some technologies allow not only to reduce the volume of incinerator waste but also to generate products of economic value by vitrification, devitrification & ceramic processes. Bottom ash is preferable compared to fly ash as a secondary raw material. Mixed with glass cullet, bottom ash can be easily transformed into homogeneous & inert glasses, which can be transformed into glass fibres or sintered glass-ceramics after controlled thermal treatments. Alternatively, bottom ash can be used to produce tiles, in particular glazed tiles containing vitrified bottom ash in the ceramic body & possibly bricks. Results presented are promising & in accordance with waste minimisation policy as well as resources conservation.