Method for treating waste containing stainless steel

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872175

Kujawa, Stephan T ^[1]; Battleson, Daniel M ^[2]; Cashell, Patrick V ^[3]; Filius, Krag D ^[4]; Flannery, Philip A ^[5]; Whitworth, Clarence G ^[6]

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1. 1819 Princeton, Butte, MT 59701
2. 2606 Hancock, Butte, MT 59701
3. 730 West Park, Butte, MT 59701
4. 1806 B St., Butte, MT 59701
5. P.O. Box 128, Ramsey, MT 59478
6. 4646 Utah Ave., Butte, MT 59701

A centrifugal plasma arc furnace is used to vitrify contaminated soils and other waste materials. An assessment of the characteristics of the waste is performed prior to introducing the waste into the furnace. Based on the assessment, a predetermined amount of iron is added to each batch of waste. The waste is melted in an oxidizing atmosphere into a slag. The added iron is oxidized into Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4. Time of exposure to oxygen is controlled so that the iron does not oxidize into Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3. Slag in the furnace remains relatively non-viscous and consequently it pours out of the furnace readily. Cooled and solidified slag produced by the furnace is very resistant to groundwater leaching. The slag can be safely buried in the earth without fear of contaminating groundwater.

• Research Organization: MSE INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-88ID12735
• Assignee: Kujawa, Stephan T. (1819 Princeton, Butte, MT 59701);Battleson, Daniel M. (2606 Hancock, Butte, MT 59701);Rademacher, Jr., Edward L. (3321 Keokuk, Butte, MT 59701);Cashell, Patrick V. (730 West Park, Butte, MT 59701);Filius, Krag D. (1806 B St., Butte, MT 59701);Flannery, Philip A. (P.O. Box 128, Ramsey, MT 59478);Whitworth, Clarence G. (4646 Utah Ave., Butte, MT 59701)
• Patent Number(s): US 5877394
• OSTI ID: 872175
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
treating
waste
containing
stainless
steel
centrifugal
plasma
furnace
vitrify
contaminated
soils
materials
assessment
characteristics
performed
prior
introducing
based
predetermined
amount
iron
added
batch
melted
oxidizing
atmosphere
slag
oxidized
time
exposure
oxygen
controlled
oxidize
remains
relatively
non-viscous
consequently
pours
readily
cooled
solidified
produced
resistant
groundwater
leaching
safely
buried
earth
fear
contaminating
contaminated soils
solidified slag
contaminated soil
waste material
stainless steel
waste materials
predetermined amount
treating waste
oxidizing atmosphere
waste containing
remains relatively
centrifugal plasma
performed prior
formed prior
containing stainless
vitrify contaminated
water leaching
/588/75/148/219/