Behaviour of PFAS in Municipal Waste Incineration - Results of a Large-Scale Measurement Campaign and Relevance for the Sector

To investigate the behaviour of PFAS in MSW incineration, a comprehensive measurement campaign was conducted at the Schweinfurt plant (Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Schweinfurt, GKS).

by Daniel Wohter, Anna Holfelder, Ragnar Warnecke, Hans-Joachim Gehrmann, Peter Quicker and Dieter Stapf

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in municipal solid waste (MSW) pose a challenge for safe disposal and circular economy objectives. To investigate the behaviour of PFAS in MSW incineration, a comprehensive measurement campaign was conducted at the Schweinfurt plant (Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Schweinfurt, GKS). Three different scenarios were investigated: the incineration of MSW as a reference scenario, the incineration of MSW mixed with PFAS-contaminated soil and the incineration of MSW spiked with PFAS-containing materials as a worst-case scenario. All input and output streams of the plant were sampled and analysed for PFAS. As the methodological basis for detecting PFAS in thermal waste treatment plants still lacks a solid foundation, this aspect was central to the project. Therefore, a comprehensive comparison of different PFAS measurement methods for flue gas and analysis techniques for the residual materials was carried out. Special focus was also placed on the measurement of products of incomplete combustion in the flue gas (e.g. CF,) and the analysis of PFAS mineralisation products such as HF (gas phase) and CaF, (solid phase).

Analyses of the MSW indicated PFAS concentrations of 40-50 μg/kg. However, PFAS enter the plant not only via the waste input but also through other streams. In the primary air 2 - 3 ng/m3 of ionic PFAS were measured and for the scrubber process water 2 μg/l TFA and 6 ng/l of other ionic PFAS were determined.

During the PFAS spiking scenario the PFAS concentration in the flue gas was around 1 - 3 ng/m3. In comparison to the reference scenario no significant increase in the values was determined. CF, emissions were observed only during PFAS addition, while other products of incomplete combustion were undetectable. Concentrations of PFAS in the residues were also very low and only slightly above the detection limit. Only bottom ash values were elevated during the PFAS spiking scenario. The results of the campaign indicate a high decomposition rate of PFAS in municipal waste incineration.

Article in German language (There is a free trial available)

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published: Abfallwirtschaft und Energie Band 3, TK Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 1|2026
Keywords: Energy Recovery, Plastics, Methods, Analyses, Data, Germany

Dr Daniel Wohter
RWTH Aachen University