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PBDE emission from E-wastes during the pyrolytic process: Emission factor, compositional profile, size distribution,
ChuanYang Cai1, ShuangYu Yu1, Yu Liu1
1Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 9, 2018
Summary
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from e-waste pyrolysis are emitted in finer particles. Their gas-particle partitioning is governed by absorption into organic carbon, indicating non-equilibrium processes during e-waste recycling.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Pollution Control
- Waste Management
Background:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are prevalent pollutants in electronic waste (e-waste).
- PBDE emissions during e-waste recycling pose significant environmental and health concerns.
- Understanding PBDE behavior during thermal treatment is crucial for effective pollution control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emission characteristics of individual PBDEs from printed wiring boards and plastic casings during pyrolysis.
- To analyze emission factors, compositional profiles, particle size distribution, and gas-particle partitioning of PBDEs.
- To elucidate the mechanisms governing PBDE partitioning during e-waste pyrolysis.
Main Methods:
- Pyrolysis of selected e-waste materials (printed wiring boards, plastic casings).
- Quantification of PBDEs using emission factors (EFs).
- Analysis of PBDE compositional profiles, particle size distribution, and gas-particle partitioning (KP).
Main Results:
- Mean total PBDE EFs were 8.1 ± 4.6 μg/g for printed wiring boards and 10.4 ± 11.3 μg/g for plastic casings.
- BDE209 was abundant in e-waste, while lower and higher brominated PBDEs (excluding BDE209) dominated exhaust fumes.
- PBDEs predominantly partitioned to finer particles (<2.1 μm) and existed mainly in the particulate phase, with partitioning governed by absorption into organic carbon.
Conclusions:
- E-waste pyrolysis releases PBDEs, with emission levels correlated to original PBDE content.
- Finer particles are major carriers for PBDE emissions, necessitating control strategies targeting these fractions.
- Non-equilibrium gas-particle partitioning, driven by absorption, is key to understanding PBDE behavior in pyrolysis emissions.
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