ENHANCING FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS METALS RECOVERY FROM INCINERATOR BOTTOM ASH

Sustainable Development Goals

Organizations Involved:
Metro Vancouver, BC Ministry of Environment, City of Burnaby, Covanta
Services:
Design & Engineering, Feasibility Studies, Plant Efficiency Upgrades, Component Supply 

The Challenge

Metro Vancouver faced a dual challenge in its pursuit of a zero-waste goal: minimizing environmental impact while maximizing revenue streams from waste materials. A significant portion of valuable metals, specifically non-ferrous metals such as iron, aluminum, and copper, were not being monetized from the waste-to-energy processes because they were not separated from the ash and were landfilled with it. The need to improve metal recovery rates was crucial, not only for environmental reasons but also to drive financial benefits.

The Solution

To address this challenge, Metro Vancouver expanded its extraction system in 2018 by integrating advanced metal recovery systems. This sophisticated system enhances the separation of ferrous and non-ferrous metals from incinerator bottom ash (IBA). The facility installation includes a dedicated processing plant that effectively sorts valuable residues and materials.

To facilitate this project, a comprehensive suite of services was needed:

  1. Engineering and Manufacturing: Designing customized slag processing installations tailored to the facility's needs. 
  2. Installation and Operation: Hands-on management and operational support will be provided to complete the installation of processing technology and ensure optimal performance.
  3. Non-Ferrous Metal Separation: Utilizing advanced separation techniques to extract a high percentage of non-ferrous metals from the IBA non-ferrous mix stream.
  4. On-Site Processing: Providing on-site services that enable an estimated 1.5% higher non-ferrous metal recovery compared to traditional methods.

The Outcome

The implementation of the system led to impressive results in metal recovery. The separation of materials from bottom ash yielded the following breakdown:

  • 90% of slag residues repurposed as valuable aggregates in construction
  • 7% of ferrous materials reused across various industries
  • 3% of non-ferrous materials effectively recovered, including a significant yield of:
  • 43% of aluminum
  • 15% of heavy metals (including valuable materials like copper, lead, and silver)

By transforming previously discarded materials into reusable resources, Metro Vancouver has minimized its environmental footprint and generated additional revenue streams. This improvement also underscored the economic viability of advanced recycling technologies in waste management. This project exemplifies a successful model for zero waste initiatives, demonstrating that waste can be converted into a valuable economic resource with the right technological solutions. 

This project also highlights how Metro Vancouver's strategic investments in recycling technology can bring substantial environmental and economic benefits. By prioritizing metal recovery in waste management practices, the region is set on a path toward sustainability, contributing to community well-being and ecological preservation. The success of this project serves as a compelling case study for other municipalities aiming for similar zero-waste goals.

Summary of the 2018 operation costs:

  • The cost to operate the facility was $20,497,223
  • Disposing of the fly ash was $1,385,142
  • Electrical energy sales $5,584,341 
  • A total of $58.16 per metric ton (2,204 pounds) for municipal solid waste disposal. 

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