4.

15 DEHALOGENATION (BASE-CATALYZED DECOMPOSITION)

Description: The dehalogenation [base-catalyzed decomposition (BCD)] process was developed by EPA's Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory (RREL), in cooperation with the National Facilities Engineering Services Center (NFESC) to remediate soils and sediments contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds, especially PCBs, dioxins, and furans. Contaminated soil is screened, processed with a crusher and pug mill, and mixed with sodium bicarbonate. The mixture is heated to above 330 C (630 F) in a rotary reactor to decompose and partially volatilize the contaminants.

4-15 TYPICAL BCD DEHALOGENATION PROCESS

The contaminant is partially decomposed rather than being transferred to another medium. Whereas alkaline polyethylene glycol (APEG) residuals contain chlorine and hydroxyl groups, which make them water-soluble and slightly toxic, the BCD process produces primarily biphenyl and low-boiling point olefins, which are not water-soluble and are much less toxic, and sodium chloride. Applicability: The target contaminant groups for dehalogenation (BCD) are halogenated SVOCs and pesticides. The technology can be also used to treat halogenated VOCs but will generally be more expensive than other alternative technologies. Limitations: Factors that may limit the applicability and effectiveness of the process include: Data Needs: High clay and moisture content will increase treatment costs.

A detailed discussion of these data elements is provided in Subsection 2.2.1 (Data Requirements for Soil, Sediment, and Sludge). Treatability tests should be conducted to identify parameters such as water, alkaline metals, and humus

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EX SITU SOIL TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

content in the soils; the presence of multiple phases; and total organic halides that could affect processing time and cost. Performance Data:

NFESC and EPA have been jointly developing the BCD process since 1990. Data from the Koppers Superfund site in North Carolina are inconclusive regarding technology performance because of analytical difficulties. There have been no commercial applications of this technology to date. The BCD process has received approval by EPA's Office of Toxic Substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act for PCB treatment. Complete design information is available from NFESC, formerly NCEL and NEESA. Predeployment testing was completed at Naval Communications Station Stockton in November 1991. The research, development, testing, and evaluation stages were planned for Guam during the first two quarters of FY93. A successful test run with 15 tons of PCB soil was conducted in February 1994. The cost for full-scale operation is estimated to be $270 per metric ton ($245 per ton) and does not include excavation, refilling, residue disposal, or analytical costs. Factors such as high clay or moisture content may raise the treatment cost slightly. EPA, 1991. BCD: An EPA-Patented Process for Detoxifying Chlorinated Wastes, EPA, ORD. NCEL, 1990. Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for the Removal and Treatment of PCB-Contaminated Soils at Building 3000 Site PWC Guam. NEESA and NCEL, August 1991. Chemical Dehalogenation Treatment: BaseCatalyzed Decomposition Process, Technical Data Sheet. NEESA and NCEL, July 1992. Chemical Dehalogenation Treatment: BaseCatalyzed Decomposition Process, Technical Data Sheet.

Cost:

References:

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4.15 DEHALOGENATION (BCD)

Site Information:
Site Name Kopper's Superfund Site, NC PWC Guam Contact NA Jess Lizama Summary Data inconclusive because of analytical data. PCB Beginning Levels NA 2,500 ppm PCB average Levels Attained NA <10 ppm Costs NA NA

NA = Not Available.

Points of Contact:
Contact Deh Bin Chan, Ph.D. Government Agency NFESC Phone (805) 982-4191 Autovon 551-4191 Location Code 411 560 Center Drive Port Hueneme, CA 93043 Code 414 Port Hueneme, CA 93043 26 West M.L. King Drive Cincinnati, OH 45268 SFIM-AEC-ETD APG, MD 21010-5401

R.L. Biggers

NFESC

(805) 982-2640

Charles J. Rogers Technology Demonstration and Transfer Branch

EPA RREL USAEC

(513) 569-7757 (410) 671-2054 Fax: (410) 612-6836

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