The pilot study on reclamation of incineration ashes of municipal waste in the demonstrative factory

In Taiwan there are 21 Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators (MSWI) built to treat 80% of the MSW nationwide. Approximately 2,000 tons of incineration ashes of municipal waste contain reaction ash and fly ash (3:1 by weight)will be produced daily, and this may cause a serious waste problem. According to EPA regulations, reaction ash and fly ash produced after incineration should be properly treated. Landfill capacity barely meets the general demands. More efficient actions should be planned and taken. The study found 'reclamation' should be the optimal solution to this problem. Only limited research and previous successful experiences are available among other countries. An incinerator in Northern Taiwan is chosen for this study to make environmental bricks from the reaction ash and fly ash. From the previous tests, the results of strength test were measured. From the previous test results, the fly ash products have not reached the desired strength; hence, reaction ash is chosen for further pilot study. In the experiment, incineration ashes, cement and gravel are mixed in the ratio of 1:1:1(by weight), to ground concretization aggregate and pelletization aggregate, the concrete products made from the aggregates were of the strength of 108 $kgf/cm^2$ and 142 $kgf/cm^2$ individually. For the purpose of making nonstructural walls which met the State Building Standards. In the study, 50 tons of concrete products was yielded from aggregate and environmental bricks. Further observation and supervision are recommended to ascertain the resource recycling and reclamation. EPA has planned to build three 'Recycling Plants' in northern, middle and southern Taiwan to develop efficient techniques to produce concrete products, sub-base course, soundproofing wall, gravel, artificial fishing reefs, tiles, drainage, bricks and etc. This experiment of the demonstrative plant solves the problem of the incineration ashes and opens another opportunity to reclaim them.