Abstract: In a method for processing solid residues from refuse incineration plants the slag is melted and heavy metals from the melt (16) are separated for reutilization. The slag is directly transferred from the refuse incineration plant into a first heating chamber (2) and melted there under oxidizing conditions. The melt (16) produced therefrom is transferred to a second heating chamber (3), in which the heavy metal compounds are reduced to their metallic form. Furthermore, additional finely divided residues, such as fly ash, boiler ash and filter dust, are introduced into the second heating chamber (3) via a hollow graphite electrode (19). The melt (16) is then passed on to a third heating chamber (4), in which the residual readily volatile metals are vaporized and the residual non-volatile metals are sedimented. The essentially heavy-metal-free melt is then cooled to form vitreous granules.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of solid residue from a refuse incineration plant, involving:melting the solid residue in a first heating chamber under oxidizing conditions to provide a melt;reducing any heavy metal compounds present in the melt to elemental metal in a second heating chamber; andtransferring the resulting melt to a third heating chamber;wherein any elemental metal is sedimented in each heating chamber and the sedimented elemental metal is continuously returned from two of the heating chambers to the remaining heating chamber, wherein the elemental metal is collected in at least one of the first or second heating chambers and discharged therefrom, and an apparatus for performing the process.