PCB Sediment Decontamination Processes Selection for Test and Evaluation

Abstract

Eight emerging alternative treatment processes for Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) contaminated sediments were rated comparatively as to the desirability of their immediate thorough test and evaluation (T and E) based on their scores on five criteria: the probability of cleaning sediments to 2 ppm PCBs or less; the availability of a test system; the test effort required; the time required to provide a commercial size treatment system; and the probable cost of treatment using the process. Two rating methods were applied: a multiplicative model using a Desirability function and a linear model, d-SSYS, using weighted utility functions. The three highest-rated processes were: the Basic Extraction Sludge Treatment (Resources Conservation Company); the UV/Ozone Treatment (Ozonic Technology, Inc.); and the Naturally-Adapted Microbes Process (Bio-Clean, Inc.). Four other processes ranked very close to the top three and merit consideration for testing at least through confirmatory phases: the Galson Potassium Polyethylene Glycolate Process; the New York University Low-Energy Extraction Process; the MODAR Supercritical Water Oxidation Process; and the Critical Fluid Systems' Propane Extraction Process.