Development of a plasma energy pyrolysis system (PEPS) to treat complex military waste streams

Abstract

AbstractThe U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USACERL) is involved in evaluating the capability of plasma technology for the destruction of hazardous components, verifying slag suitability for regular landfill disposal, identifying potential hazards associated with the process emissions, and developing qualified cost estimates for the future use of the process on large scale operations. The Plasma Energy Pyrolysis System (PEPS) project provides an environmental compliance technology to reduce the cost of treatment and disposal of hazardous and toxic waste streams resulting from production or deactivation of military weapon systems or from military operations.Plasma arc technology applications enable the military to control and dispose of recalcitrant hazardous and toxic wastes regulated under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act amendments (RCRA), in addition to satisfying the increasingly stringent emission standards of the Clean Air Act (CAA) relevant to open burning/open detonation (OB/OD) practices within the military. A plasma arc processing unit can significantly reduce costs associated with conventional hazardous waste treatment technologies such as: sample characterization lead time, health and safety exposure risks to workers, and increased risks to the general public from accidents involving excavated and transported wastes. The development and field demonstration of plasma arc technology will provide a much‐needed capability for military hazardous waste processing and disposal on a flexible basis.