Processing of mixed waste via quantum-catalytic extraction processing (Q-CEP{trademark}), a case study
- Duke Power Co., Seneca, SC (United States)
- M4 Environmental Management, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- M4 Environmental Management, Washington, DC (United States)
Catalytic Extraction Processing (CEP) as developed by Molten Metal Technology (MMT), Inc. employs the use of a refractory-lined, steel-shell reactor vessel and an inductively-heated metal bath. When molten, the metal bath can process gaseous, liquid, and solid wastes and recycle their constituents into commercially valuable products. Quantum-Catalytic Extraction Processing, or Q-CEP, is the application of CEP technology to radioactive and mixed wastes. The Q-CEP technology can take wastes in various physical forms (gas, liquid, slurry, sludge, or grindable solid) and inject them into the molten metal bath of iron, nickel, or copper. The bath acts as both a catalyst and solvent and breaks the compounds of the waste feed into their original constituent elements. The flexibility and robustness of the Q-CEP process are attributed to the {open_quote}singular{close_quote} dissolved elemental intermediate through which reactions proceed. {open_quotes}Singular{close_quote} refers to the fact that the catalytic and salvation effects of the liquid metal ensure that the constituents of the feed are only found in the liquid metal as dissolved elements (e.g. dissolved carbon). As a result, Q-CEP feed conversion is independent of the complexity of the molecular structure of the feed molecule. Destruction and Removal Efficiencies (DREs) exceeding 99.9999% (six nines) are typical in CEP regardless of the complexity of feed materials. Q-CEP is not a combustion technology. Unlike incineration where wastes are volume reduced and residuals buried, Q-CEP allows for the formation of commercially valuable products. Chemical reactions are performed in a highly reducing environment which results in extremely low concentrations of free oxygen, preventing the formation of furans, dioxins, or other products of incomplete combustion.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States); Williams (Paul) and Associates, Medina, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 437511
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR-106929; CONF-960783-; TRN: 97:000678-0047
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International low-level-waste conference, New Orleans, LA (United States), 22-24 Jul 1996; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings: 1996 EPRI international low level waste conference; PB: 715 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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