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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R98549/01
Title: Investigation of the 'Dioxin Memory Effect' in Waste lncinerator Flue Gas Systems
Principal Investigator: Williams, Professor P
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Onyx Sheffield Ltd Varian Ltd
Department: Fuel and Energy
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 22 January 2003 Ends: 21 January 2006 Value (£): 222,800
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Analytical Science Combustion
Waste Minimisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Environment R&D
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins - PCDD) and furans (Polychlorinated dibenzofurans - PCDF) are organic micropollutants which are known to occur at trace levels in waste incinerator flue gases. There is considerable concern from the public and environmental groups surrounding the issue of dioxins and furans in the environment due to their perceived associated extreme health hazard. The control strategies being developed to minimise or eliminate PCDD/F from waste incinerator flue gas emissions are centered on operational and process controls such as combustion control, rapid cooling of flue gases, the use of additives such as activated carbon, catalytic systems for PCDD/F removal etc. However, it has been shown that there is a 'memory effect' associated with PCDD/F emissions from waste incinerators, where desorption of previously adsorbed PCDD/F from flyash in the incinerator system can take place over several days. Consequently, it is difficult to estimate the effects of control strategies implemented for PCDD/F minimisation and can also lead to misinterpretation of results. This proposal seeks to investigate the desorption of PCDD/F from flyash under conditions typical of those found in waste incineration systems. The influence of flyash composition and PCDD/F congener profiles are also to be investigated.
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk