Combined decontamination processes for wastes containing PCBs

J Hazard Mater. 2005 Jan 31;117(2-3):185-205. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2004.09.026.

Abstract

This project has focused on the development of a complex assembly of mutually corresponding technological units: a low temperature thermal process for the desorption of PCBs and other organics from soils and other contaminated solid wastes; the extraction of PCBs from soils by an ecological friendly aqueous solution of selected surfactants; the chemical decontamination of PCBs in oils and in-oil-in-water emulsions by metallic sodium and potassium in polyethylene glycols in the presence of aluminum powder; the modified alkaline catalyzed chemical decontamination of PCBs in oil-in-water dispersions in a solid-state reactor (in a film of reacting emulsion on solid carriers); and the breakdown of PCBs in aqueous emulsions with activated hydroxyl radicals enhanced by UV radiation. The processes operate in a closed loop configuration with effluents circulating among the process unit. These technologies have been verified at laboratory and pilot-plant scales.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Decontamination / methods*
  • Environmental Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Environmental Pollution / prevention & control*
  • Halogens / chemistry
  • Hydroxyl Radical / chemistry
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / chemistry*
  • Sodium / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Water / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Halogens
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Sodium
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls