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By using an excitation energy of 27.0 keV, synchrotron radiation-induced micro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-[micro]XRF) is employed to extract information regarding the composition and distribution of Cd-bearing phases in municipal solid waste (MSW) and biomass fly ashes. Significance of observation is based on statistics of totally more than 100 individual MSW and biomass fly ash particles from a fluidized bed combustion (FBC) plant. Cd concentrations in the parts-per-million range are determined. In general, although previous leaching studies have indicated Cd to be predominant in the smaller-size ash particles, in the present study Cd is more evenly distributed throughout all the particle sizes. For MSW fly ashes, results indicate the presence of Cd mainly as Cd[Br.sub.2] hot-spots, whereas for biomass fly ashes, which exhibit lower Cd[X.sub.2] concentration, a thin Cd layer on/in the particles is reported. For both ashes, Ca-containing matrixes are found to be the main Cd-bearing phases. Support for this observation is found from independent first-principles periodic density functional theory calculations. The observations are condensed into a schematic mechanism for Cd adsorption on the fly ash particles.

Information about Cd distribution inside single municipal solid waste and biomass fly ash particles is fundamental since it affects its leachability. The internal 2D distributions of the main and trace elements in such highly inhomogeneous matrixes were successfully determined by means of the combined synchrotron radiation induced micro X-ray fluorescence ([micro]-SRXRF) and tomography ([micro]-SRXRFT) techniques. Scanning [micro]-SRXR measurements show Cd elemental distribution within single fly ash particles to be inhomogeneous, but no information can be obtained about its internal distribution. During [micro]-SRXRFT analysis, single fly ash particles are successively measured by a rotational-translational scan in a VH = 2 x 5 [micro][m.sup.2] microbeam. The 2D internal elemental distribution images, obtained by the modified simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique algorithm, provide the size and the location of Cd-containing areas together with the location of other measurable elements. Results showed Cd concentration to be higher in the core of the fly ash particles analyzed rather than on the surface of the particles. Moreover, in both ashes, Ca-containing matrixes are found to be the main Cd-bearing phases. A possible mechanism for Cd adsorption on the fly ash particles is proposed based on the obtained results.

By using an excitation energy of 27.0 keV, synchrotron radiation-induced micro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-μXRF) is employed to extract information regarding the composi- lion and distribution of Cd-bearing phases in municipal solid waste (MSW) and biomass fly ashes. Signfficance of observation is based on statistics of totally more than 100 individual MSW and biomass fly ash particles from a fluidized bed combustion (FBC) plant. Cd concentrations in the parts-per-million range are determined. In general, although previous leaching studies have indicated Cd to be predominant in the smaller-size ash particles, in the present study Cd is more evenly distributed throughout all the particle sizes. For MSW fly ashes, results indicate the presence of Cd mainly as CdBr2 hot-spots, whereas for biomass fly ashes, which exhibit lower CdX2 concentration, a thin Cd layer on/in the particles is reported. For both ashes, Ca-containing matrixes are found to be the main Cd-bearing phases. Support for this observation is found from independent first-principles periodic density functional theory calculations. The observations are condensed into a schematic mechanism for Cd adsorption on the fly ash particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]