You are here:
FACILITIES EVALUATION OF HIGH EFFICIENCY BOILER DESTRUCTION PCB WASTE
Citation:
Cotter, J. AND R. Johnson. FACILITIES EVALUATION OF HIGH EFFICIENCY BOILER DESTRUCTION PCB WASTE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-81/031 (NTIS PB81178287), 1981.
Description:
The report gives results of an evaluation of destruction in two different high-efficiency boilers (as an alternative to landfill disposal) of waste (a rendering plant byproduct, yellow grease) found to be contaminated by PCBs from a transformer leak. (The PCB content--under 500 ppm--determines the disposal method under 40 CFR Part 761.) At the first boiler: (1) logistics and fuel handling requirements were found to be feasible to set up in a short time; (2) boiler size and residence time were determined to be likely to allow high destruction efficiency; (3) with 99.9% destruction of PCBs, downwind concentration was estimated to be less than CSHA limits for industrial exposure; and (4) fuel characteristics of the yellow grease were used to support the recommendation for 100% grease fired as fuel. At the second boiler: (1) the size and facilities were determined to satisfy all prerequisites for high efficiency boilers (40 CFR Part 761); (2) best operation was by blending the waste with the normal fuel oil supply; and (3) a 30% waste blend was found to be completely miscible and feasible with respect to logistical support. A verification test burn was recommended and outlined for either candidate site. Current EPA protocol and policy developments for PCB destruction were found to be appropriate for the preparation of a candidate facility test plan and an example public notice.