Detoxification of cathode ray tube glass by self-propagating process

A novel process for the treatment of hazardous waste Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass, based on self-propagating reaction, was proposed. In the process, various types of CRT glass powders were blended with suitable amount of ferric oxide and magnesium, and the mixtures could generate self-propagating reaction once locally ignited by a thermal source. Generally, the self-propagating reaction could be well maintained when the CRT glass content in the mixture was no more than 60 wt.%, and the combustion wave velocity and maximum combustion temperature decreased along with the increase in glass amount. XPS experiments showed that heavy elements in the final products became more stable and were solidified during the process. Leaching tests demonstrated that heavy metals in the final products fulfilled the environmental regulations of USEPA. It is supposed that the detoxified products have the potential of being used as construction materials. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.