Thermal Formation of PCDD/PCDF: A Survey

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Abstract
Since polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) were quantified in the emissions from the Amsterdam municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in 1977, more than 20 years of intensive research gave many answers on how PCDD and PCDF can form in thermal processes. As a result, it can be concluded that PCDD/PCDF can be formed in all combustion processes where organic carbon, oxygen, and chlorine are present. Although there are still open questions, findings can be summarized as follows: Results from field investigations, i.e., waste wood combustion and a new technology for thermal treatment of municipal solid waste, support these basic findings. Key words: Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD); polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF); formation; incineration; dioxin patterns; emissions.