%0 Journal Article
%T The Possibilities of Reduction of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans Emission
%A Grzegorz Wielgosi¨½ski
%J International Journal of Chemical Engineering
%D 2010
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2010/392175
%X In the study the most important and known polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs) emission sources are presented and known methods of reduction of dioxin emission to the atmosphere are discussed in detail. It is indicated that the most relevant emission source is a combustion process. The mechanism of dioxin formation in thermal processes is presented in brief. The author characterized primary methods of reduction of PCDDs/PCDFs emission encompassing the interference into the combustion process to minimize their formation and discussed known secondary methods aimed at their removal from the stream of waste gases. It was attempted to make a critical assessment of PCDD/Fs reduction methods described in literature. 1. Introduction On 23 May, 2001 in Stockholm there was signed the Convention concerning persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The reason for the convention was the necessity to regulate the issues connected with the production and utilization of certain organic substances¡ªthe so-called persistent organic pollutants. The convention introduced relevant limitations in the production, application, export, and import of POPs, as well as strict requirements concerning the record and monitoring. One of the most important decisions of Convention was the commitment to the continuous minimization or the final elimination of the release of such substances as dioxins and furan (PCDD/Fs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (as a precursor of dioxin synthesis) as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)¡ªas compounds with similar toxicity to dioxins, to the environment This indicates the necessity of the implementation of the best available techniques (BAT) to the industrial practice in the following fields: waste incineration, paper-mills using chlorine for whitening, steel mills and copper, aluminum and zinc mills, refineries utilizing waste oils, crematories, power plants, and thermal-electric power plants as well as the other activities. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans are categorized as the so-called endocrine disrupters¡ªthe substances disturbing the activity of the endocrine system. Since 1970s PCDD/Fs have been thought to belong to the group of the strongest poisons among the known chemical compounds so far. Nevertheless, in spite of very high toxicity of certain dioxins and furans with regard to some animal organisms, one may find it difficult to compare PCDD/Fs with the other strong toxins present in the environment. This is because their activity is not instantaneous in the
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijce/2010/392175/