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PILOT-SCALE INCINERATION OF CONTAMINATED SLUDGES FROM THE BOFORS-NOBEL SUPERFUND SITE
Citation:
King, C. AND L. R. Waterland. PILOT-SCALE INCINERATION OF CONTAMINATED SLUDGES FROM THE BOFORS-NOBEL SUPERFUND SITE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-92/240 (NTIS 93-141034), 1992.
Description:
A detailed test program was performed at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Incineration Research Facility (IRF) to help determine the effectiveness of incineration in treating two contaminated lagoon sludges from the Bofors-Nobel Superfund site in Muskegon, Michigan. The sludges tested were contaminated with various organic contaminants and trace metals. Three incineration tests were conducted for each sludge, for a total of six tests, in the IRF’s pilot-scale rotary kiln incineration system (RKS). Target incineration conditions were held constant for all six tests, with a kiln temperature of 982°C (1,80Q°F); kiln exit flue gas O2 at 8 to 10 percent; afterburner temperature of 1,204°C (2,200°F); and afterburner exit flue gas O2 at 6 percent. The test results suggest that incineration under the conditions tested represents an effective treatment option for the lagoon 8 sludge. Substantial decontamination of organics from the sludge was achieved; the principal organic hazardous constituent (POHC) was not detected in the flue gas; paniculate and HC1 emissions were low and in compliance with the incinerator performance standards; and incineration residuals (kiln ash and scrubber liquor) would not be toxicity characteristic (TC) hazardous wastes based on leachable trace metal content. Incineration also appears to be an effective treatment option for the lagoon 3 sludge: substantial organic decontamination was achieved; the performance standard of 99.99 percent POHC destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) was met; and the resulting kiln ash toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leachate had trace metal concentrations below regulatory limits. A wet scrubber air pollution control system (APCS) of the type tested may not, however, be an appropriate choice for air pollution control. While HC1 emissions were acceptable, particulate emissions at the primary APCS exit were greater than those allowed by the incinerator performance standards. Low cadmium and lead collection efficiencies resulted in cadmium emission levels in the 153 to 206 /tg/dscm range and lead emission levels in the 4,420 to 4,180 jig/dscm range. In addition, the unfiltered scrubber liquor discharge exceeded the TCLP limits for lead and approached the limit for cadmium (scrubber liquor filtrate concentrations may be below these limits). If a wet scrubber APCS is used, incineration at a kiln temperature lower than the 982°C (1,800°F) temperature tested might be warranted. A lower kiln temperature would likely reduce the amount of cadmium and lead volatilized and carried out of the kiln in the combustion gas. This report was submitted in fulfillment of Contract 68-C9-0038 by Acurex Environmental Corporation under the sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This report covers work conducted during October and November 1991.