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Title: Mixed waste treatment using the ChemChar thermolytic detoxification technique

Abstract

The diversity of mixed waste matrices contained at Department of Energy sites that require treatment preclude a single, universal treatment technology capable of handling sludges, solids, heterogeneous debris, aqueous and organic liquids and soils. Versatility of the treatment technology, volume reduction and containment of the radioactive component of the mixed waste streams are three criteria to be considered when evaluating potential treatment technologies. The ChemChar thermolytic detoxification process being developed under this R and D contract is a thermal, chemically reductive technology that converts the organic portion of a mixed waste stream to an energy-rich synthesis gas while simultaneously absorbing volatile inorganic species (metals and acid gases) on a macroporous, carbon-based char. The latter is mixed with the waste stream prior to entering the reactor. Substoichiometric amounts of oxidant are fed into the top portion of the cylindrical reactor generating a thin, radial thermochemical reaction zone. This zone generates all the necessary heat to promote the highly endothermic reduction of the organic components in the waste in the lower portion of the reactor, producing, principally, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The solid by-product is a regenerated carbon char that, depending on the inorganic loading, is capable for reuse. The in situmore » scrubbing of contaminants by the char within the reactor coupled with a char filter for final polishing produce an exceptionally clean synthesis gas effluent suitable for on-site generation of heat, steam or electricity. Despite the elevated temperatures in the thermochemical reaction zone, the reductive nature of the process precludes formation of nitrogen oxides and halogenated organic compound by-products.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Mirage Systems, Sunnyvale, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
174676
Report Number(s):
DOE/MC/31188-96/CO629; CONF-9510108-43
ON: DE96003735; TRN: 96:003697
DOE Contract Number:  
AR21-95MC31188
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: Environmental technology development through industry partnership, Morgantown, WV (United States), 3-5 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
05 NUCLEAR FUELS; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; PYROLYSIS; HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; REDUCTION; VOLATILE MATTER; ADSORPTION; RESIDUES; WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION; FUEL GAS; PRODUCTION; COGENERATION; RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING

Citation Formats

Kuchynka, D. Mixed waste treatment using the ChemChar thermolytic detoxification technique. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Kuchynka, D. Mixed waste treatment using the ChemChar thermolytic detoxification technique. United States.
Kuchynka, D. 1995. "Mixed waste treatment using the ChemChar thermolytic detoxification technique". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/174676.
@article{osti_174676,
title = {Mixed waste treatment using the ChemChar thermolytic detoxification technique},
author = {Kuchynka, D},
abstractNote = {The diversity of mixed waste matrices contained at Department of Energy sites that require treatment preclude a single, universal treatment technology capable of handling sludges, solids, heterogeneous debris, aqueous and organic liquids and soils. Versatility of the treatment technology, volume reduction and containment of the radioactive component of the mixed waste streams are three criteria to be considered when evaluating potential treatment technologies. The ChemChar thermolytic detoxification process being developed under this R and D contract is a thermal, chemically reductive technology that converts the organic portion of a mixed waste stream to an energy-rich synthesis gas while simultaneously absorbing volatile inorganic species (metals and acid gases) on a macroporous, carbon-based char. The latter is mixed with the waste stream prior to entering the reactor. Substoichiometric amounts of oxidant are fed into the top portion of the cylindrical reactor generating a thin, radial thermochemical reaction zone. This zone generates all the necessary heat to promote the highly endothermic reduction of the organic components in the waste in the lower portion of the reactor, producing, principally, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The solid by-product is a regenerated carbon char that, depending on the inorganic loading, is capable for reuse. The in situ scrubbing of contaminants by the char within the reactor coupled with a char filter for final polishing produce an exceptionally clean synthesis gas effluent suitable for on-site generation of heat, steam or electricity. Despite the elevated temperatures in the thermochemical reaction zone, the reductive nature of the process precludes formation of nitrogen oxides and halogenated organic compound by-products.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/174676}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995},
month = {Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995}
}

Conference:
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