Thermal desorption treatability studies on selected mercury- and PCB-contaminated mixed waste
- Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Thermal desorption (TD) is a process that has been targeted to remediate selected Department of Energy (DOE) hazardous/mixed waste soils and sludges by removing mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and volatile organic contaminants to the satisfaction of the Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) and the Federal Facilities Compliance Act (FFCA). It is a batch process in which waste solids are heated at a given temperature for a specified time to volatilize the contaminants, which are then separated from the radioactive components and collected for either immediate disposal or further treatment. This volatilization process depends on such variables as the solids temperature, residence time, and carrier gas flow. This paper discusses the effect of these parameters on the contaminant removal during TD. The experimental program demonstrates through scoping/engineering studies and verification/proof-of-principle studies that TD is the method of choice for the removal of these contaminants. The LDR treatment goal for high-mercury wastes is that the retorted residues exhibit a Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test result <0.02 ppm. However, the intent of this experimental program is to minimize the absolute quantity of mercury as well. The LDR treatment goal for PCBs is that the treated residue possess a concentration <2 ppm.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 469765
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960804--Vol.1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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