SBIR-STTR Award

The cost of off-gas treatment during remediation of hazardous waste sites can typically increase the cost by 50% or more. This research is targeted towards developing a simple cost effective technology to destroy chlorinated organic solvents in the vapor phase. The process uses a dry chemical at a slightly elevated temperature. The research involves testing of a variety of related dry chemicals in a temperature range of 500øC or less. The thermodynamics have been evaluated for the destruction of several chlorinated solvents. The very large negative value for the Gibbs Free Energy of Formation, deltaGø, on the order of -l,OOOkj/mole, for each reaction indicates that the reactions should occur spontaneously. the kinetics, however, are unknown and will be studied during the conduct of this research.

The cost of off-gas treatment during remediation of hazardouswaste sites can typically increase the cost by 50 percent or more. Thisresearch is targeted towards developing a simple, cost effectivetechnology to destroy chlorinated organic solvents in the vapor phase.The process uses commercial lime at an elevated temperature. The researchinvolves the design and testing of a pilot-scale unit in a temperaturerange of 350 to 500 degrees C. The thermodynamics have been evaluated forthe destruction of several chlorinated solvents. The very large negativevalue for the Gibbs Free Energy of Formation, (delta) Gí, on the order of-1,000 kg/mole, for each reaction indicates that the reactions shouldoccur spontaneously. Bench scale tests indicate that 90 percentdestruction can be achieved in non-optimized systems.