Technical/economic assessment of selected PCB decontamination processes

Abstract

Eleven emerging alternative treatments for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated sediments have been compared and ranked using technical performance, status of development, test and evaluation data needs, and cost as factors. In ranking the processes, weights were assigned the factors to emphasize the extent of decontamination, the estimated cost of treatment, and the versatility of the process. The emerging treatment processes are based on six different technologies: one on low-temperature oxidation, two on chlorine removal, one on pyrolysis, three on removing and concentrating, one on vitrification, and three on microorganisms. Types of technologies not developed are chlorinolysis, stabilizing, and enzymes. On the basis of the comparisons made, the treatment processes were ranked in the following order from highest to lowest: KPEG, LARC, Acurex, Bio-Clean, Supercritical Water, Advanced Electric Reactor, Vitrification, OHM Extraction, Soilex, Composting, and Dybron Bi-Chem 1006. The first eight processes show potential for reduction of PCB concentrations to the desired background levels (1–5 ppm) or less, with minimum environmental impacts and low to moderate cost. All the technologies except the advanced electric reactor required further development and testing.