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The paper evaluates the possibility of efficiently processing waste generated in the process of biomass torrefaction into a non-toxic material, suitable for practical reuse. The water was evaporated from the liquid fraction resulting from the torrefaction of Virginia mallow, after which the resulting sludge was subjected to vitrification. The vitrification process was carried out at 1450 °C using tempered glass cullet, which constituted 85% by weight of the total processed material. The obtained product was subjected to the following analyses: microstructural characterization, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, spectroscopic tests, as well as measurements of hardness and ion leachability in an aqueous medium. It was found that vitrification of the sludge obtained from the waste liquid fraction leads to incorporation of the inorganic components of the waste into the glass structure, and in the case of organic components, causes their thermal decomposition. As a result of vitrification, a product was obtained that has no toxic properties and is characterized by favorable utility properties, i.e. low ion leachability and high hardness, higher than the hardness of the glass used in the vitrification process. The conducted research showed that vitrification is an effective method to recycle waste generated in the production process of treated biomass, and the product of the vitrification process can be used, for example, in the production of glassy building materials. • Wastes generated during biomass torrefaction can be effectively vitrified. • Vitrification process converts biomass torrefaction waste into a harmless product. • Vitrificat is amorphous and characterised by high hardness and low ion leachability. • Vitrification may be an alternative to other waste disposal techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed the possibility of using waste glass cullet from the screen part of CRTs (cathode ray tube) in the vitrification of asbestos-cement materials (ACM). The composition consisting of 50% by mass ACM and 50% by mass cullet was subjected to vitrification. The research material before and after vitrification was subjected to comparative analysis. As a result of vitrification, a transparent amorphous material was produced with a hardness about 7% higher than that of CRT glass and lower ion leachability in an aqueous environment compared to ACM. X-ray and spectroscopic examinations did not reveal the presence of chrysotile, i.e. a type of asbestos found in ACM. This fact proves that during vitrification the asbestos decomposed and formed a lattice of glass composed of the products of this decomposition. Moreover, the presence of heavy metals in the vitrified product was found, including Ba and Sr, the source of which was the CRT cullet. The obtained research results prove that ACM vitrification with CRT cullet leads to the effective utilization of both types of waste during one technological process. Therefore, the vitrification of ACM can be successfully carried out using waste CRT glass, and the harmless product obtained in the vitrification process can be used in practice. The use of CRT cullet in the vitrification of asbestos-cement materials will also have a positive impact on the environment as it will reduce the amount of electronic waste deposited in landfills. [Display omitted] • The vitrification of ACM can be successfully carried out using CRT glass cullet. • It is possible to simultaneously dispose of ACM and CRT cullet in one process. • The vitrification process transforms the hazardous wastes into a harmless product. • Vitrification is an effective method of neutralizing asbestos-cement materials. • The vitrification process leads to the complete decomposition of chrysotile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]