Pollutant Emissions, Characteristics, and Ecological Risk Assessment in the Vicinity of Incineration Plants Using Solid-Recovered Fuel (SRF) in Taiwan

• DOI: 10.1007/s44408-025-00034-w
• Publication Date: 2025-05-21T11:27:29Z
• Authors: Kaleem Khan; Chih-Hung Lin; Yuan-Jeng Hsu; Kai Hsien Chi; Shahzada Amani Room; Jung-Wei Chang
• Keywords: Solid fuel

Abstract Purpose This study focused on two incineration plants in Taiwan, plant Z and CD, utilizing solid recovered fuel (SRF). Methods We assessed emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDD/Fs), heavy metals (HMs) e.g., (Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Be, Cd) across various environmental media. Results found that co-firing SRF with coal achieved significant reductions: NOx by 25%, PCDD/Fs 70%, Hg 29%. Additionally, particulate decreased from 5 mg Nm -3 alone to 2 using the coal-SRF mixture, declined 0.003 ng-TEQ g - 1 . Plant CD showed higher air concentrations As Pb sediments (7.32 × 10 μg kg , 2.24 7 ) compared Z, which had lower but Cr. In water environment, levels Hg, Cr (3.36×10 1.79 ×10 1.75×10 9 1.74×10 ). Regarding soil, (7.32×10 3.90×10 3.79×10 ), while elevated (3.01 sediments, (3.28 6 2.92 along increased low molecular weight (LMW) high (HMW) PAHs (7.54 1.68 4 than Z. The hazard quotient (HQ) values (< 1) ecological risks. Conclusions However HMs, PCDD/Fs, suggest potential impacts warrant further investigation. Graphical abstract