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Technology Demonstration Summary: CF Systems Organics Extraction System, New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts
Citation:
U.S. EPA. Technology Demonstration Summary: CF Systems Organics Extraction System, New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/540/S5-90/002, 1990.
Impact/Purpose:
to inform the public
Description:
The Site Program demonstration of CF Systems' organics extraction technology was conducted to obtain specific operating and cost information that could be used in evaluating the potential applicability of the technology to Superfund sites. The demonstration was conducted concurrently with pilot dredging studies managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the New Bedford Harbor Superfund site in Massachuetts. Contaminated sediments were treated by CF Systems' Pit Cleanup Unit (PCU) that used liquified propane/butane as the extraction solvent. The PCU was a trailer-mounted system with a design capacity of 1.5 gpm (20 bbl/day). CF Systems claimed that the PCU would extract organics from contaminated soils based on solubility of organics in liquified propane/butane. The objectives included an evaluation of (1) the unit's performance, (2) system operating conditions, (3) health and safety conditions, and (4) equipment and system materials handling problems. Extensive sampling and analyses were performed showing that polychlorinated biphenyl (PCS) extraction efficiencies of 90 percent were achieved for sediments containing PCBs ranging from 350 to 2,575 ppm. In Test 2, sediments containing350 ppm were reduced to 40 ppm after 10 passes, or recycles, through the PCU. In Test 3, a 288 ppm feed was reduced to 82 ppm after 3 passes. In Test 4, a 2,575 ppm feed was reduced to 200 ppm after 6 passes. Some operating problems occurred, such as the intermittent retention of solids in system hardware and foaming in the treated sediment collection tanks. These problems did not affect extraction efficiency but could affect operation of a full-scale unit. Corrective measures will be addressed by the developer and EPA. A mass balance established over the entire demonstration showed excellent accountability for 96 percent of the total mass. Operation of the unit did not present any threats to the health and safety of the operators or the local community. This Summary was developed by EPA's Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to announce key findings of the SITE program demonstration that is fully documented in two separate reports.