Use of incinerator bottom ash for frit production

This article presents the results of an experimental activityaimed at investigating the technical feasibility and the environmentalperformance of using municipal solid waste incinerationbottom ash to produce glass frit for ceramic glaze (glazefrit). The process includes an industrial pretreatment of bottomash that renders the material suitable for use in glazefrit production and allows recovery of aluminum and iron.The environmental performance of this treatment option isassessed with the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology.The goal of the LCA study is to assess and compare the environmentalimpacts of two scenarios of end of life of bottomash from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI): landfilldisposal (conventional scenario) and bottom ash recovery forglaze frit production (innovative scenario). The main results ofthe laboratory tests, industrial simulations, and LCA study arepresented and discussed, and the environmental advantages of recycling versus landfill disposal are highlighted.