Analysis of heavy metal migration in vegetable agricultural waste

Abstract

One of the most important tasks facing Ukraine is to maximize the use of its own renewable energy resources, including the use of agricultural waste (stems, straw, sunflower husks, bonfires, etc.) to obtain energy sources such as fuel briquettes and pellets. The urgency of complete utilization of agricultural waste depends on the content of heavy metals in the ash formed during the combustion of fuel briquettes made from agricultural waste. The entry of heavy metals from the soil into plants today is a serious environmental problem, as a result of which human and animal food, as well as agricultural waste are contaminated with heavy metals. After making briquettes or pellets, they can be used as fuel in various installations. When briquettes or pellets is burning made from agricultural waste, ash is formed, which can be used as an additive to organic fertilizers, while heavy metals at high temperatures can form oxides and then salts, which are less susceptible to migration into plants. The analysis of migration of heavy metals from soil to plants is carried out. The possibility of using vegetable waste to obtain fuel briquettes and pellets is considered. The comparison of the content of heavy metals in the plant with the maximum permissible concentration was checked. The content of harmful substances in the ash was determined after their use. The scheme of technological sequence of production of briquettes and pellets from vegetable waste is presented. The possibility of using pellet ash and briquettes as additives to organic fertilizers is analyzed. In general, the processing of vegetable waste into fuel briquettes and pellets is a very effective environmental solution that allows the maximum use of agricultural waste as a renewable energy resource, as well as to bind heavy metals and prevent their further migration.