Metals as Catalysts during the Formation and Decomposition of Chlorinated Dioxins and Furans in Incineration Processes.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are found on fly ash and in flue gas of municipal waste incinerators. Municipal waste incinerators seem to be the most important source for PCDDs and PCDFs emitted into the air during the last decades. PCDD/F formation takes place in the cooler zones (250 °C-450 °C) of a municipal waste incinerator, at the electrostatic precipitator. Copper is an important component of the fly ash that can catalyse the formation of PCDDs and PCDFs. Inhibition of the formation can be done by complexation of the metals (Cu) with EDTA or NTA.