Department of Material & Life Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University , 7-1 Kioicho, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan.
Environ Sci Technol. 2014 Jun 17;48(12):6882-90. doi: 10.1021/es500551b. Epub 2014 Jun 9.
Asbestos-containing debris generated by the tsunami after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, was processed by microwave heating. The analysis of the treated samples employing thermo gravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and phase-contrast microscopy revealed the rapid detoxification of the waste by conversion of the asbestos fibers to a nonfibrous glassy material. The detoxification by the microwave method occurred at a significantly lower processing temperature than the thermal methods actually established for the treatment of asbestos-containing waste. The lower treatment temperature is considered to be a consequence of the microwave penetration depth into the waste material and the increased intensity of the microwave electric field in the gaps between the asbestos fibers resulting in a rapid heating of the fibers inside the debris. A continuous treatment plant having a capacity of 2000 kg day(-1) of asbestos-containing waste was built in the area affected by the earthquake disaster. This treatment plant consists of a rotary kiln to burn the combustible waste (wood) and a microwave rotary kiln to treat asbestos-containing inorganic materials. The hot flue gas produced by the combustion of wood is introduced into the connected microwave rotary kiln to increase the energy efficiency of the combined process. Successful operation of this combined device with regard to asbestos decomposition is demonstrated.
2011 年 3 月 11 日日本东海岸大地震后的海啸产生的含石棉碎片，采用微波加热进行了处理。利用热重分析、差示热分析、X 射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜和相差显微镜对处理后的样品进行了分析，结果表明，通过将石棉纤维转化为无纤维的玻璃状物质，废物中的石棉迅速解毒。与实际用于处理含石棉废物的热法相比，微波法的解毒作用发生在明显更低的处理温度下。较低的处理温度被认为是由于微波穿透废物材料的深度以及在石棉纤维之间的间隙中增强的微波电场导致纤维内部的快速加热所致。在地震灾区建造了一座处理能力为 2000 公斤/天的含石棉废物的连续处理厂。该处理厂由一个用于燃烧可燃废物（木材）的回转窑和一个用于处理含石棉无机材料的微波回转窑组成。燃烧木材产生的热烟道气被引入连接的微波回转窑，以提高组合工艺的能源效率。该组合装置在石棉分解方面的成功运行得到了证明。
