Production of glass-ceramics from incinerator ash using lab-scale and pilot-scale thermal plasma systems

This research employed two thermal plasma melting systems and vitrification technology to treat incinerator ash. The melted slag was used for the production of glass-ceramics via powder sintering and heat treatment. When using the pilot-scale plasma molten system, the melt was rapidly quenched in water to yield glassy slag. The properties of quenched slag glass-ceramics were superior to that glass-ceramics produced by slowly cooling the slag with air. The glass-ceramics with the best physical/mechanical properties and chemical resistance was produced by heat treatment at 1150 degrees C for 2 h. Diopside and gehlenite were formed as the major crystalline phases. Glass-ceramics produced from incinerator ash demonstrate great potential for reutilization as non-porous or water permeable materials. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.