Processing municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash for integration into cement product manufacture

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash (BA) contains the elemental composition necessary for cement and concrete production and is a feasible substitute for high-value markets such as cement kiln feed (CKF) and supplementary cementitious material (SCM), providing an opportunity to recycle materials that are typically landfilled. This study explores the physical and chemical properties of individual components of MSWI BA-glass, ceramic, concrete, and slag-for use in cement product manufacture. Elemental oxide data reveals MSWI BA contains a variable composition of elements necessary for clinker formation. For example, MSWI BA concrete has a calcium content (33-40%) similar to that of limestone (64%) used in CKF. Compressive strength of mortar made with MSWI BA glass and ceramic is about 75% that of the control. Elemental analysis and isothermal calorimetry confirm that MSWI BA glass and ceramic fractions have the strength and elemental composition for use as an SCM compared to slag and concrete.