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ENGINEERING BULLETIN: PYROLYSIS TREATMENT
Citation:
Science Applications International Corporation. ENGINEERING BULLETIN: PYROLYSIS TREATMENT. EPA/540/S-92/010 (NTIS 93-105583), 1992.
Impact/Purpose:
information
Description:
Pyrolysis is formally defined as chemical decomposition induced in organic materials by heat in the absence of oxygen. In practice, it is not possible to achieve a completely oxygen-free atmosphere; actual pyrolytic systems are operated with less than stoichiometric quantities of oxygen. Because some oxygen will be present in any pyrolytic system, nominal oxidation will occur. If volatile or semivolatile materials are present in the waste, thermal desorption will also occur. Pyrolysis is a thermal process that transforms hazardous organic materials into gaseous components and a solid residue (coke) containing fixed carbon and ash. Upon cooling, the gaseous components condense, leaving an oil/tar residue. Pyrolysis typically occurs at operating temperatures above 800°F [1, pp. 165,167] [2, p. 5].* This bulletin does not: address other thermal processes that operate at lower temperatures or those that operate at very high temperatures, such as a plasma arc. Pyrolysis is applicable to a wide range of organic wastes and is generally not used in treating wastes consisting primarily of inorganics and metals.