SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1980
STP27161S

Mobile System for the Detoxification/Incineration of Cleanup Residuals from Hazardous Material Spills

Source

The U.S. EPA field-use, mobile system for incinerating/detoxifying the residuals from hazardous materials and oil spills is self-contained on three aligned semitrailers, with only water and fuel required to be supplied externally. The system is designed to meet federal regulations (40 CFR 761) for the incineration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), namely, a 2-s dwell time at 1200°C (±100°C) and 3 percent excess oxygen with a combustion efficiency of 0.99 defined in terms of the difference in the concentrations of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide divided by the concentration of carbon dioxide in the flue gas. The feed system, kiln (1000°C, 4.9 m long, 6.7 m3 volume, cocurrent flow, 1-h nominal residence time for solids), and ash handling unit, are mounted on the first trailer. The ash is safe for disposal in a sanitary landfill. The gases and vapors are ducted to a secondary combustion chamber (1200°C, 11 m long, 15.2 m3 volume, 2.2-s residence time, high turbulence (Reynolds number greater than 3 × 104)) mounted on the second trailer, where combustion is completed. The flue gas is water-quenched to 80°C (water saturated) in a venturi section of a unit that conducts the vapor to the third trailer on which are mounted a cleanable high efficiency particulate filter (movable, fluid-washed, fiber-glass belt), vane-type droplet eliminator, mass transfer unit (caustic-scrubbed, packed tower), demister, induced draft blower (2300 mm of negative water pressure) with a 125 hp diesel drive, sound suppressor, stack (3.7 m3(standard)/s flow (7200 ft3 (standard)/min = 7200 FCFM)), and diesel-driven alternator. The system operates under negative pressure. Appropriate control and monitoring instrumentation is included. The system meets state standards for hauling on interstate highways. The processing capacity of the incineration system is: 285 litres/h (75 gal/h) of No. 2 diesel fuel or material of equivalent Btu content, 4000 kg/h (9000 lb/h) of dry, slightly contaminated sand (plus the required diesel or other fuel), or 640 litres/h (170 gal/h) of slightly contaminated water (plus the required fuel). Graphs are provided to show what combinations of fuel and of liquids or solids that have a fuel value can be accepted when these are mixed with water and inert material. The secondary combustion chamber will almost always be fired with diesel fuel (95 litres/h (25 gal/h)). Except when the material to be detoxified has a heating value equivalent to that of fuel oil (and can be fed through the kiln burners), these burners will require from 20 to 285 litres/h (5 to 75 gal/h) of diesel fuel to provide the proper heat release in the kiln. The total heat release within the system is nominally 15 million Btu/h. The quench water requirement is about 65 litres/min (17 gal/min). Electric power (440 V AC, 3 phase) is provided by an on-board 150-hp diesel alternator, which need not be used when utility lines are nearby.

Author Information

Tenzer, R
MB Associates, San Ramon, Calif.
Ford, B
MB Associates, San Ramon, Calif.
Mattox, W
MB Associates, San Ramon, Calif.
Brugger, JE
Oil and Hazardous Materials Spills Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Edison, N.J.
Price: $25.00
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Details
Developed by Committee: F20
Pages: 118–136
DOI: 10.1520/STP27161S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4772-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0324-5