Characterisation of bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration in Catalonia

Bottom ash from municipal solid waste incinerator plants in Catalonia was characterised to investigate some alternatives for its utilisation and their potential environmental impact. After a detailed chemical and mineralogical characterisation, physical and geotechnical properties were investigated. The study focused on the use of bottom ash as an aggregate substitute in pavement applications. The results show that this material may be successfully used as a compacted material in unbound road sub-bases. According to Spanish Specifications for road construction, bottom ash complies with the technical requirements for sub-bases. Data obtained from the leaching test satisfy the limit values established by Catalan Specifications for bottom ash utilisation. The use of bottom ash in the envisaged application should therefore not result in any environmental impact. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.