Grantee Research Project Results
A Novel Idea for Photo-Conversion of Hazardous Chlorocarbon Industrial Wastes to Usable Hydrocarbon Fuels
EPA Contract Number: 68D00051Title: A Novel Idea for Photo-Conversion of Hazardous Chlorocarbon Industrial Wastes to Usable Hydrocarbon Fuels
Investigators: Lavid, Moshe
Small Business: M.L. Energia Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1990 through May 1, 1993
Project Amount: $150,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1990) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Hazardous waste disposal is one of the main concerns of the Environmental Protection Agency. The dominant process for treatment of an important toxic waste - chlorocarbons - has been incineration. However, the intolerable quantities of polychlorinated hydrocarbons (PCHC) detected in effluent of incinerators have raised serious doubts as to the wide application of this technology. Uti1ization of a reducing atmosphere can dramatically decrease the concentrations of PCHC and totally eliminate phosgene in the emission, but it creates unacceptable amounts of solid carbon.M.L. Energia, Inc., proposes a novel method for safe conversion of halocarbons that has the potential to alleviate these problems. Photo-initiation will be used to reduce the overall activation energy barrier for chlorocarbon reduction to hydrocarbons and hydrogen chloride. As a result of the photochemical step, dechlorination can be accomplished at relatively low temperature. This will circumvent soot for- mation which is characteristic of higher temperature ther- mal processes and will substantialy reduce energy cost.
During Phase 1, photo-induced dechlorination ,as unam- biguously demonstrated: representative chlorocarbons (CH,Cl, CHCL,, CHCI,, CC I,,, CH,CCI,) were converted to chlorine-free hydrocarbons at moderate temperature and with absence of soot. Because of these dramatic and con- vncing results, a Phase 11 comprehensive research program is proposed. It will consist of three major efforts: 1) Phase I kinetic studies will be extended to achieve a deeper understanding of the photo-initiated dechlorination mechanism; (2) a prototype photochemical reactor for pilot studies will be designed and constricted and (3) the proto- type will be tested in-depth to evaluate efficiency, to optimize conversion and to determine cost. Then, if all is successful, the process will be commercialized in collaboration with a private company under a Phase III program, for which a Follow-on Funding commitment has been obtained.
Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Chemistry, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Hazardous Waste, Chemistry and Materials Science, Engineering, Hazardous, Environmental Engineering, waste to fuel conversion, industrial waste, photo-conversion, photo conversion , hydrocarbon fuels, polychlorinated hydrocarbons (PCHC), chlorocarbon , incineration alternatives, waste recovery, polychorinated hydrocarbons (PCHCs), disposalProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.