Rate Limiting Processes in the Rotary-Kiln Incineration of Contaminated Solids

Abstract

Abstract A study of transport processes during the desorption of organic and metallic contaminants from solids is being conducted using several fundamental experiments. This paper presents results from three experimental systems, a Particle-Characterization Reactor, Bed-Characterization Reactor, and Metals Reactor. The organic experiments attempt to identify the controlling transport process within a particle of soil and through a bed of particles, as well as quantify the necessary parameters to model these processes. Gas and solid-phase speciation data for field samples, soils contaminated with a variety of organics (boiling points from 220°C to 495°C), are discussed. The data suggest that local temperature and gas/solid contacting are important in the desorption process. As expected, lighter components desorb faster than the heavier hydrocarbons. Moisture content was also important in the desorption of contaminant. The metals reactor has been used to determine the fate of metals, specifically the partit...