Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
use of these materials and seem very close to commercial uptake. The final
step will be governed in part by economics (environmental as much as
financial) and in part by the availability of suitable standards and codes of
practice for their commercial use. This is of critical importance and it falls
on material producers, potential users and standard makers to consider how
best this will be achieved. One thing is certain, that unless these materials
are specifically included in relevant standards, they will join the long list of
materials which never reach their commercial potential as constructors will
choose alternatives for which standards do exist.
As time progresses, the constraints on waste disposal will become more
restrictive and the availability of natural aggregates will reduce, such that
manufactured aggregates become increasingly attractive materials. However,
the technologies used in their production require energy (for heating or
otherwise processing these materials, such as collection and compression of
CO
2
). It seems likely that establishment of aggregate manufacturing plants will
be in locations where the lowest cost energy co-exists with materials suitable
for aggregate manufacture. This may not necessarily be in close proximity to
municipal waste incineration facilities; indeed other mineral feed stocks may
fill this supply niche. Whilst the science and engineering communities advise
political and economic planners, we do not always succeed in shaping their
decisions in the best long-term interests of society. This particular example
(manufacture of synthetic aggregates from waste) offers an appealing and
resource-efficient use of MSWI combustion products, which is in the widest
interests of society and deserving of thorough debate.
12.8 References and further reading
Alba, N., Gasso, S., Lacoret, T., Baldasano, J.M. (1997) Characterization of municipal
solid waste incineration residues from facilities with different air pollution control
systems.
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
47
, 11, 1170-1179
Appenido, P.M., Ferraris, M., Matekovits, I., Salvo, M. (2004) Production of glass-ceramic
bodies from the bottom ashes of municipal solid waste incinerators.
Journal of the
European Ceramic Society
24
, 803-810
Arickx, S., Van Gerven, T., Vandecasteele, C. (2006) Accelerated carbonation for treatment
of MSWI bottom ash.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
138
, 1, 201-204
ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials). ASTM C342-97
Standard Test Method for Potential Volume Change of Cement-Aggregate Combinations
(withdrawn 2001, but without replacement)
ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials). ASTM E227 - 90
(1996) Standard Test Method for Optical Emission Spectrometric Analysis of
Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by the Point to Plane Technique (withdrawn 2002,
but without replacement)
Aubert, J.E., Husson, B., Vaquier, A. (2004) Metallic aluminum in MSWI fly ash:
quantification and influence on the properties of cement-based products.
Waste
Management
24
, 589-596
