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SECURING CONTAINERIZED HAZARDOUS WASTES WITH WELDED POLYETHYLENE ENCAPSULATES
Citation:
Lubowitz, H., R. Telles, S. Unger, AND R. Phillips. SECURING CONTAINERIZED HAZARDOUS WASTES WITH WELDED POLYETHYLENE ENCAPSULATES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-81/139 (NTIS PB81231292), 1981.
Description:
Full-scale encapsulation of 208-liter (55-gal) drums was studied as a means for managing corroding containers of hazardous wastes in the field and rendering them suitable for transport and safe deposit within a final disposal site such as a landfill. Polyethylene (PE) receivers with 6.35-mm-(1/4-in.-) thick walls and wide mouths were employed for fabricating encapsulates. After insertion of drums, the receivers were weld-sealed with 6.35-mm (1/4-in.) sheet PE. A prototype apparatus, which was designed and constructed to fabricate the PE encapsulates by welding. The apparatus, which was light weight and transportable, was analogous to that employed in the commercial butt welding of PE pipe. Precision alignment of pieces and high regularity of surfaces to be joined were found to be unnecessary. Furthermore, only minimal mechanical pressures were needed to form the welded joints. Results indicated plastics welding to be an effective method for encapsulating corroding drums of hazardous wastes. This report is a companion to two other documents investigating the use of plastics for the encapsulation of corroding containers of hazardous wastes: Securing Containerized Hazardous Wastes with Polyethylene and Fiberglass Encapsulates (PB81-232449) and Securing Containerized Hazardous Wastes by Encapsulation with Spray-on/Brush-on Resins.