Application of microwave radiation in innovative process of neutralising asbestos-containing wastes

Presented are results of a research on a possibility to use innovative microwave heating for thermal neutralisation of asbestos-containing wastes. In comparison to traditional heating, the innovative process is characterised by up to a hundred times reduced energy consumption and two hundred times shorter processing time. Parameters of effective disposal, i.e. microwave radiation power and heating time, as well as kind and quantity of the wetting agent necessary in the microwave heating process that intensifies the process and ensures uniform heat distribution in the heated charges, were determined for five most commonly used products containing various fractions of asbestos fibres. It was demonstrated that the presented innovative and eco-minded technology of disposing asbestos-containing materials is a quick, cheap, economical and effective solution guaranteeing complete degradation of the hazardous fibres.