Weathering of gasification and grate bottom ash in anaerobic conditions

The effect of anaerobic conditions on weathering of gasification and grate bottom ash were studied in laboratory lysimeters. The two parallel lysimeters containing the same ash were run in anaerobic conditions for 322 days, after which one was aerated for 132 days. The lysimeters were watered throughout the study and the quality of leachates and changes in the binding of elements into ash were observed. The results show that organic carbon content and initial moisture of ashes are the key parameters affecting the weathering of ashes. In the grate ash the biodegradation of organic carbon produced enough CO2 to regulate pH. In contrast the dry gasification ash, containing little organic carbon, was not carbonated under anaerobic conditions and the pH decreased only after aeration was started. During the aeration the CO2 absorption capacity was not reached, indicating that intense aeration would be needed to fully carbonate gasification ash. The results indicate that in common weathering practice the main emissions-reducing processes are leaching and carbonation due to CO2 from biodegradation. The results of the aeration study suggest that the role of atmospheric CO2 in the weathering process was insignificant.