Pilot-plant studies for solvent extraction of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)

Technical Report · Wed Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5678142

Hancher, C W; Saunders, M B

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in transformer-type oils were removed in pilot-plant studies using a solvent extraction process. The pilot plant contains two extraction columns (each 10 cm in diameter and 4.6 m long), plus other related equipment. Using counter-current flow, the solvent, dimethyl formamide (DMF), reduced 300-ppM-PCB oil to less than 50-ppM-PCB oil; a distribution coefficient of 1.5 (solvent/oil ratio) was in agreement with previous data obtained in laboratory tests. The addition of water to the DMF phase destroys PCB polar bonding and concentrates the PCB in a minimal oil volume. The DMF can be distilled from the water for recycle to the solvent extraction process.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5678142
• Report Number(s): Y/DZ-77; ON: DE84002171
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105 -- Separation Procedures
42 ENGINEERING
420900* -- Engineering-- Waste Processing Plants & Equipment-- (-1989)
AMIDES
AROMATICS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
EXTRACTION
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MINERAL OILS
OILS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PILOT PLANTS
PURIFICATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
WATER