Material analysis of Bottom ash from waste-to-energy plants

Bottom ash (BA) from waste-to-energy (WtE) plants contains valuable components, particularly ferrous (Fe) and non-ferrous (NFe) metals, which can be recovered. To assess the resource recovery potential of BA in the Czech Republic, it was necessary to obtain its detailed material composition. This paper presents the material composition of BA samples from all three Czech WtE plants. It was found that the BA contained 9.2–22.7% glass, 1.8–5.1% ceramics and porcelain, 0.2–1.0% unburnt organic matter, 10.2–16.3% magnetic fraction, 6.1–11.0% Fe scrap, and 1.3–2.8% NFe metals (in dry matter). The contents of individual components were also studied with respect to the BA granulometry and character of the WtE waste collection area.