Removal characteristics of PCDDs/Fs from municipal solid waste incinerator by dual bag filter (DBF) system

A dual bag filter (DBF) system was developed for the removal of dioxins (PCDDs/Fs) emitted from a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI). A 2000 N m3/h capacity DBF pilot plant was designed, manufactured, and operated with actual MSWI flue gases. The result showed that pressure drop of the filter bag is the most important variable in PCDDs/Fs removal by the DBF system. Removal efficiency of PCDDs/Fs decreased as pressure drop increased in the first bag filter of the DBF system. On the contrary, removal efficiency of PCDDs/Fs increased as the pressure drop of the second bag filter increased. Pressure drop ranges for the most effective operation in the filter bag were 150–200 mm H2O and 170–200 mm H2O for first and second bag filter, respectively. The emission of PCDDs/Fs after removal by the DBF system was below 0.05 ng-TEQ/ N m3, when pressure drop of the second bag filter was operated near 200 mm H2O. Activated carbon consumption was also less in case of DBF (40 mg/N m3) as compared to SBF which discharged about 100 mg/N m3.