U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, Library (PL-12J)
77 West Jackson Boulevard, 12th. Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
TEPA/540/8-89/002
EPA Research Symposium
April 10-12, 1989
Superfund Innovative
Technology Evaluation
(SITE) Program
In 1986, the Environmental Protection Agency's
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
and Office of Research and Development estab-
lished the Superfund Innovative Technology
Evaluation (SITE) Program to promote the
development and use of innovative technologies
to clean up Superfund sites across the country.
Now in its third year, SITE is helping to provide
the treatment technologies necessary to imple-
ment new federal and state cleanup standards
aimed at permanent remedies, rather than quick
fixes. The SITE Program is composed of three
related programs: the Demonstration Program,
the Emerging Technologies Program, and the
Measurement and Monitoring Technologies
Program.
The major focus has been on the Demonstra-
tion Program, which is designed to provide en-
gineering and cost data on selected technologies.
To date, the demonstration projects have not
involved funding for technology developers. A
mutually beneficial relationship is established
between EPA and developers participating in the
program. Developers are responsible for demon-
strating their innovative systems at selected sites,
which may be Superfund sites, developers'
facilities, EPA laboratories, or private sites.
EPA is responsible for sampling, analyzing, and
evaluating all test results. As a result, developers
are provided with extensive data that validate
their system capabilities, while EPA is able to
Soliditech's Mobile Mixing Unit during Technology Demonstration
at Imperial OH Site
assess the performance, reliability, and cost of
new and innovative technologies. This informa-
tion will be used in conjunction with other data
to select the most appropriate technologies for
the cleanup of Superfund sites.
Any innovative technology developer may
apply to the SITE program by responding to
EPA's annual solicitation in the Commerce
Business Daily. Four solicitations have already
occurred. The latest solicitation (RFP SITE
004) was released in January 1989 and propos-
als were due March 3, 1989. To qualify for the
demonstration program, a new technology must
be at the pilot or full scale and offer some
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SITE Program Participants
Developer
First Solicitation, RFP SITE 001
American Combustion, Inc.
Norcross, GA
Hazcon, Inc.
Katy, TX
HAZTECH/EPA Region 4
Atlanta, GA
International Waste
Technologies
Wichita, KS
Ogden Environmental Services
San Diego, CA
Resource Conservation Co.
Bellevue, WA
Shirco Infrared
Systems, Inc.
Dallas, TX
Terra Vac, Inc.
Dorado, PR
Westinghouse Electric
Corporation
Madison, PA
Second Solicitation, RFP SITE 002
CF Systems Corporation
Cambridge, MA
Chemfix Technologies, Inc.
Metairie, LA
Geosafe Corporation
Kirkland, WA
MoTec, Inc.
Ml. Juliet, TN
Retech, Inc.
Ukiah, CA
Sanitech, Inc.
Twinsburg, OH
Separation and Recovery
Systems, Inc. (SRS) Irvine, CA
Soliditech, Inc.
Houston, TX
Zimpro/Passavant, Inc.
Rothschild, WI
Technology
Pyretron Oxygen
Burner
Solidification/
Stabilization
Shirco Infrared
Thermal Destruction
In-Situ
Stabilization
Circulating Fluidized Bed
Solvent Extraction
Infrared Thermal
Destruction
In-Situ Vacuum
Extraction
Pyroplasma System
Solvent Extraction
Chemical Fixation/Stabilization
In-situ
Vitrification
Liquid/Solid
Contact Digestion
Plasma Heat
Ion Exchange
Solidification/
Stabilization
Solidification
Powdered Activated
Carbon/Biological
Developer Contact
Mark Zwecker
404-662-8156
Ray Funderburk
713-391-1085
Fred Stroud (Reg. 4)
404-347-3931
Jeff Newton
316-269-2660
Harold Diot
619-455-2383
Paul McGough
206-828-2400
Kenneth Johansen
214-404-7540
James Malot
809-723-9171
John Ross
411-722-5709
John M. Moses
617-890-1200
Norman Murray
504-831-3600
James Hansen
206-822-4000
Norm Allworth
615-754-9626
R.C. Eschenback
707^62-6522
Sidney Nelson
216-425-2354
Joseph De Franco
714-261-8860
Carl Brassow
713-778-1800
William Copa
715-359-7211
EPA Contact
Laurel Staley
513-569-7863
Paul dePercin
513-569-7797
Howard Wall
513-569-7691
Mary Stinson
201-321-6683
Joseph McSorley
919-541-2920
Edward Bates
513-569-7774
Howard Wall
513-569-7691
Mary Stinson
201-321-6683
John Martin
513-569-7758
Dick Valentinetti
202-382-2611
Edwin Earth
513-569-7669
Jonathan Herrmann
513-569-7839
Ronald Lewis
513-569-7856
Laurel Staley
513-569-7863
Richard Traver
201-321-6677
Dick Valentinetti
202-382-2611
Walter Grube
513-569-7798
John Martin
513-569-7758
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SITE Program Participants (Cont'd)
Developer
Third Solicitation Response 003
Biotrol, Inc.
Chaska, MN
Biotrol, Inc.
Chaska, MN
CBI Freeze
Technolgies, Inc.
Plainfield, IL
Chemical Waste
Management Inc.
Riverdale, IL
DETOX, Inc.
Dayton, OH
E.I. Du Pont de
Nemours, Inc.
Newark, DE
Freeze Technologies
Corp.
Raleigh, NC
Silicate Technology
Corp.
Scottsdale, AZ
Toxic Treatments,
Inc.
San Mateo, CA
Ultrox International,
Inc.
Santa Ana, CA
Emerging Technologies Program
Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited Research, Inc.
Chalk River, Ontario
Battelle Memorial Institute,
Columbus Division
Columbus, Ohio
Bio-Recovery Systems, Inc.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado
Energy and Environmental
Engineering, Inc.
Somerville, MA
En virile Field
Services, Inc.
Atlanta, GA
Western Research
Institute
Laramie, WY
Technology
Biological Degradation
Soil Washing
Separation By Freezing
Low-Temperature
Thermal Desorption
Fixed-Film Biological
Microfil (ration
Separation by Freezing
Pozzolonic/Silicate based
In-situ Steam/Air Stripping
Ultra-violet Radiation and Ozone
Ultra filtration
In-Situ Electro-
acoustic Decontamination
Biological Sorption
Wetlands- Based
Treatment
Laser Stimulated
Photochemical Oxidation
Solvent Washing
Contained Oil
Recovery of Wastes
Developer Contact
Thomas Chresand
612-448-2515
Steve Valine
612-448-2515
Matt Husain
815-436-2912
Raja Venkateswar
312-841-8360
George Skladany
513-433-7394
Ernest Mayer
302-366-3652
James E. Heist
919-850-0600
Steve Pegler
602-948-1300
Philip La Mori
415-572-2994
David Fletcher
714-545-5557
L.P. Buckley
613-584-3311
U.S. Muralidhara
614-424-6424
Dennis W.DarnaU
505-646-5888
Thomas Wildcman
303-273-3642
James H. Porter
617-666-5500
Thomas McGowan
404-876-8300
Lyle Johnson
307-721-2281
EPA Contact
Mary Stinson
201-321-6683
Mary Stinson
201-321-6683
Jack Hubbard
513-569-7507
Paul de Percin
513-569-7797
Ronald Lewis
513-569-7856
John Martin
513-569-7758
Jack Hubbard
513-569-7507
Edward Bates
513-569-7774
Paul de Percin
513-569-7797
Norma Lewis
513-569-7765
John Martin
513-569-7758
Jonathan Herrmann
513-569-7839
Naomi Barkley
513-569-7854
Edward Bates
513-569-7774
Ronald Lewis
513-569-7856
Jack Hubbard
513-569-7507
Eugene Harris
513-569-7862
on
P-CT cj
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advantage over existing technologies. Mobile
technologies are of particular interest to EPA. In
addition, EPA will accept proposals at any time when a
developer has a treatment project scheduled with a
Superfund waste. Once EPA has accepted a proposal,
EPA staff meet with the developer to choose a site
containing wastes suitable for testing the capabilities of
the proposed technology. Currently, EPA is working
with 28 technologies. Ten field demonstrations have
already been completed, and several more are planned in
the near future.
The Emerging Technologies Program supports bench-
scale testing of new and innovative technologies. Seven
projects are underway, examining technologies ranging
from freeze crystallization to laser-stimulated
photochemical oxidation. The second set of proposals
(E02) are being evaluated, and the third solicitation
(E03) will be released in July, 1989.
The Measurement and Monitoring Technologies
Program supports the development and demonstration of
new and innovative measurement and monitoring
technologies applicable to Superfund site
characterization. The Measurement and Monitoring
Technologies Program is focusing on two areas:
immunoassays for toxic substances, and fiber optic
sensing for in-situ analysis at Superfund sites.
New technology vendors or developers are not
required to participate in the SITE Program before
bidding on Superfudd cleanup contracts. The
demonstration of treatment technologies in the
SITE program is intended 10 produce information
which will be useful for the engineering evaluation
of innovative technologies. However, a SITE
demonstration is not a requirement in procurement
for remediation services. The SITE program only
represents one means by which developers can
demonstrate their technology's capabilities*
TEN FIELD DEMONSTRATIONS ARE
COMPLETED
To date, ten field demonstrations have occurred and are
discussed below. The most recent demonstrations to
occur were Soliditech, Inc. (December 1988), Ultrox
International, Inc. (March 1989), and Chemfix, Inc.
(March 1989). Reports on the test results of all ten
completed demonstrations will become available
throughout the next year.
In December 1988, Soliditech, Inc. of Houston, Texas
demonstrated its solidification and stabilization process,
which chemically and physically immobilizes hazardous
constituents contained in slurries, at Imperial Oil
Company Superfund site, an oil recycling facility in
Morganville, New Jersey. During the process, the
proprietary reagent URRICHEM™ is dispersed through-
out the waste and works to micro-encapsulate hazardous
compounds by crosslinking organic and inorganic
particles, coating large particles, and sealing small pores
and spaces. This sealing process significantly reduces
leaching potential. Wastes treated during the demonstra-
tion were from three sources at the facility: contami-
nated soils from a marshy area, used filter-clay material
from an existing waste pile, and an oily sludge from an
unused storage tank. Approximately two to five cubic
yards of each waste were processed in Soliditech's
mobile mixing unit. Contaminants included polychlori-
nated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, petroleum hydro-
carbons, and low levels of volatile organic chemicals.
Samples of untreated and treated waste were analyzed
for a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants,
and other physical and chemical characteristics.
Samples were also subjected to several leaching tests.
The treated wastes were evaluated for strength and
durability through tests such as the unconfined compres-
sive strength test, freeze/thaw tests, wet/dry tests, and
microstructural analysis. Preliminary results are not yet
available. The treated waste will also be sampled and
analyzed over a period of three to five years.
A new technology by Ultrox International, Inc. of
Santa Ana, California, destroys organic compounds in
water using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation combined with
ozone and/or hydrogen peroxide for photo-oxidation of
Ultrox Ultraviolet and Photo-Oxidation Unit during Technology
Demonstration at the Lorentz Barrel and Drum Company Site
-------
organics. This method may be used to treat aqueous
waste containing up to 20,000 ppm organic carbon and
up to 1,000 ppm total toxic organics. The skid-mounted,
portable unit will treat between 5 and 50 gal/min of
aqueous waste, depending on the type and concentration
of contaminants. The two-week Ultrox technology
demonstration occurred in late February and early March
at the Lorentz Barrel and Drum Company site in San
Jose, California. The ground water treated contained
primarily volatile organic compounds. During the dem-
onstration the unit processed about 1,000 gallons per run
for 14 runs. Several operating variables-waste retention
time in the reactor, ozone and hydrogen doses, UV lamp
intensity, and pH—were varied sequentially. Liquid
samples were taken of influent and effluent, and from a
midpoint in the reactor. These were analyzed for a wide
range of organic contaminants, total and selected metals,
pH, chloride, and other physical and chemical properties.
Effluent samples were also analyzed for ozone and
hydrogen peroxide. Preliminary results are not yet
available.
Chemfix Technologies, Inc. of Metairie, Louisiana has
developed a proprietary process (CHEMFIX) that
stabilizes high-molecular-weight organic and inorganic
constituents in waste slurries. The CHEMFIX process
uses soluble silicates, silicate setting agents, and
additives to crosslink with waste components to produce
a stable, solid matrix. At the time of this writing, the
one-week demonstration was to take place in mid March
at the Portland Equipment Salvage Company Superfund
site in Clackamas, Oregon. The site operated as a
transformer and metal salvaging facility. Plans were for
Chemfix to process in a mobile unit approximately ten
Chemifa Technologies Mobile Unit for Chemical
Stabilization/Solidification
cubic yards of soil from each of three areas and ten
cubic yards from a fourth area containing ash and debris.
The major waste contaminants are lead and copper,
present at maximum concentrations between 10 and 15
percent, and PCBs present at maximum total
concentrations of 2,000 to 5,000 ppm. Samples of
untreated and treated waste were to be extensively
sampled and analyzed for a wide range of metals and
PCBs, and subjected to several leaching tests. The
treated wastes will be subjected to strength and
durability tests such as the unconfined compressive
strength test, freeze/thaw tests, wet/dry tests, and
microstructural analysis.
Solidified Blocks of Waste - Demonstration ofHazcon's
Solidification!Stabilization System at the
Douglassville Superfund Site
The solidification/stabilization process developed by
Hazcon, Inc. of Katy, Texas was demonstrated at the
Douglassville Superfund site, near Reading
Pennsylvania, in October of 1987. This process blends
contaminated soil or sludge with cement, pozzolans, and
a proprietary ingredient, called Chloranan, which
neutralizes the inhibiting effects of organics. The result
is a concrete-like mass that contains the contaminants.
The contaminated soil wastes stabilized at the
Douglassville site came from six sources: one each
from two large lagoons once filled with waste oil
sludges and subsequently drained and backfilled with
soil; an oily filter cake disposal area; an oil drum
storage area; an oil reprocessing area; and a waste land
farm.
During the field demonstration five cubic yards of each
waste were treated. Samples were taken from the
untreated soils, the blended slurry after seven days of
curing, and core samples from the 28 day old blocks.
The samples were analyzed for soil characteristics,
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teachability, permeability, unconfined compressive
strength, microstructure changes, and contaminant
levels. Samples of the treated waste will also be taken
over a period of three to five years.
Results indicate that the volume of the solidified soil was
approximately double that of the undisturbed waste feed,
but the permeabilities of the treated soil were very low,
in the range of 10'8 to 10"' cm/sec. Durability test
results were good and no loss of strength was observed
after 12 wet/dry and freeze/thaw weathering test cycles.
The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP)
test showed that heavy metals were immobilized over the
range of oil and grease encountered. TCLP leach tests
performed on untreated and treated soils showed
equivalent concentrations of volatile and semivolatile
organics in their respective leachates. In addition,
special leaching tests were run which simulated leaching
of the intact solidified cores. A report on the results of
the Hazcon demonstration is available. (See box.)
A full-scale, mobile, 100 ton per day Shirco Infrared
Destruction Unit was evaluated in August, 1987 at the
Peak Oil site in Brandon, Florida. During the 1950s,
thick, oily wastes from Peak Oil, an oil re-refiner, were
deposited into a natural lagoon at the site, which is
located in sandy soils with a shallow water table. The
site was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL)
primarily because of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and
lead contamination of the local groundwater; however, it
was suspected that other hazardous materials were also
present in the lagoon.
The demonstration took place during a removal action
conducted under contract to HAZTECH, Inc. of Atlanta,
Georgia. Three hundred tons of waste sludge were
incinerated during a four-day period toward the end of
the removal action. The evaluation included a
determination of toxic materials in the waste being
decontaminated, as well as an analysis of all the effluent
streams, including ash, wastewater, and air emissions.
These streams were analyzed for heavy metals, organics,
dioxins, furans, nitric oxides, and inorganic acids.
Leaching tests were also performed on the ash.
During the test the temperature in the secondary
combustion chamber was 1,800°F. Concentrations of
PCBs in the feed during the test runs were lower than
anticipated. Results indicated destruction and removal
efficiency (ORE) exceeded 99.99% for the air emissions.
Paniculate emissions averaged 0.1015 grains per DSCF,
corrected to 7% Or Two analyses were below the 0.08
grams/dscm RCRA standard. The sulfur removal rate
exceeded 99%.
To receive; acopy of the To?tmoiogy Ev
Report, SITE Program Demonstration Te^ Shirks:;
Infrared Incineration System, Peak Oil, j&randop] I
Florida {EPA/540/5-8S/002a)I September 1988,,
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of the ash over time. The unit was operated at the site
for approximately two weeks in November 1987, and
treated about 10 cubic yards of contaminated soil. The
overall program consisted of three extended test burn
runs conducted under the normal operating conditions of
the unit, and a series of fourteen shorter tests conducted
under different operating conditions to determine their
effect on the unit's performance, energy consumption,
and throughput. Test results under varied operating
conditions showed potential cost savings without a
decrease in performance. Based on decontamination
effzciencies, the unit performed equally well when the
primary combustion chamber temperature was reduced
from 1,600°F to 1,200°F. Also, electrical usage dropped
significantly and throughput increased when fuel oil was
added to the waste feed to supplement fuel value. Under
none of these operating conditions, however, was there
any reduction in the mobility of lead after treatment.
Pyretron ™ Gas Train with Burners Firing • EPA's Combustion
Research Facility
The Pyretron™ oxygen-air-fuel burner, developed by
American Combustion, Inc. of Norcross, Georgia, was
demonstrated at EPA's Combustion Research Facility
(CRF) in Jefferson, Arkansas from November 1987 to
January 1988. The primary objective of the
demonstration was to evaluate the performance of the
Pyretron™ at higher throughputs than a conventional air-
based incineration system. For this comparison, the
conventional air burner of the CRF rotary kiln system
was substituted with the Pyretron™ oxygen burner.
Eight comparison tests were conducted using a mixture
of contaminated soil from the Stringfellow Acid Pit
Superfund site in California, and decanter tank tar sludge
(listed waste K087). Preliminary test results indicate the
potential for significant cost savings for the cleanup of
Superfund sites using the Pyretron™.
For the conventional rotary kiln system, the optimum
feed charge was 21 pounds at a charging interval of 12
minutes. Higher feed rates served to destabilize the
process. Oxygen depletion in the conventional kiln
resulted in flameouts, excessively high carbon monoxide
(CO) levels exiting the kiln, and CO breakthroughs from
the afterburner. While attempts were made to increase
air flows to provide additional oxygen, residence times
were reduced below levels necessary for complete
combustion.
During testing of the Pyretron™, the mass charge was
maintained at 21 pounds; however, the throughput rate
was doubled by reducing the charge interval from 12
minutes to 6 minutes. Test results show that at this rate,
the Pyretron™ provided temperature control in both the
kiln and afterburner. Oxygen levels at the kiln exit were
maintained at sufficiently high levels and CO levels were
kept to a minimum, with no indication of CO in the
stack. Results from this test show that the Pyretron™
maintained sufficient oxygen concentration in the kiln.
CO levels at the kiln exit were well within the capacities
of the afterburner system, and there was no CO emitted
from the afterburner. In addition, destruction and
removal efficiencies (DRE) exceeded 99.99% for all
tests.
From January to April 1988 an in-situ vacuum extraction
process developed by Terra Vac, Inc. of Dorado, Puerto
Rico was used to extract volatile contaminants from soils
at the Groveland Wells Superfund site in Groveland,
Terra Vac Extraction Wells Installed at Groveland Wells
Superfund Site
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In-Silu Mixing 0f International Waste Technologies'
Solidification/Stabilization Agent at a Florida Site
Massachusetts. The site overlays a portion of the
Groveland municipal water supply. In that area of the
site, waste oils and degreasing solvents have
contaminated the subsurface soils with volatile organic
compounds (principally trichloroethylene, with lesser
concentrations of 1,2-trans-dichloroethylene and
tetrachloroethylene). Most of the contamination occurs
beneath a concrete slab that is used as a storage platform.
Extraction wells were drilled at four locations at the edge
of the contaminated area. At each location, two wells
were installed, a shallow well and a deep well, to
separately extract volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
from above and below a clay lens. Three of the well sets
were intended to act as a barrier, intercepting VOCs that
would normally be drawn to the fourth well. The fourth
well set was used to measure the cleanup capability of
the extraction process. The system operated 24 hours
per day for two months. Samples of the soil gas, process
gas, stack gas emissions, and liquid from the
vapor/liquid separator were collected. Initial results
indicate that a total of approximately 1,300 pounds of
volatile organic compounds were extracted. Some
shallow soil gas concentrations were reduced by more
than 95%, and the extraction process seemed to work
successfully even in wet clay soils. As a result of the
demonstration test Terra Vac has been hired by the site
owner to undertake site remediation.
In cooperation with General Electric, Inc., International
Waste Technologies (IWT) demonstrated its in-situ
stabilization/solidification process at a closed electric
service shop in Hialeah, Florida in April 1988. At that
site approximately 13,000 cubic yards of soil are
contaminated with PCBs and some volatile organics and
heavy metals. IWT used the Geo-Con, Inc. Deep Soil
Mixing system to drill and blend waste material with
IWT's patented bonding agent. The IWT process bonds
organic and inorganic compounds, creating
macromolecules which are highly resistant to acids and
other deteriorating factors.
The major objectives of the demonstration were to
evaluate the ability of the process to immobilize PCBs in
the soil; determine the level of performance and
reliability of the mechanical equipment being used;
assess the effectiveness of the process for in-situ
stabilization; and to observe the integrity of the
solidified soil over a period of five years. During the
demonstration, the stabilization/solidification process
was tested on two sectors totaling about 400 square feet
The soil was blended and stabilized in depths up to 18
feet. Samples of the untreated soil and the treated
material were analyzed for soil characteristics,
leachability, permeability, unconfined compressive
strength, microstructural changes, and contaminant
levels. These analyses will be repeated on borings of the
treated soil to be taken one to two times a year.
Preliminary results show that the mixing system
achieved a homogeneous soil/reagent blend with
minimal difficulties. The solidified mass had low
permeability and high density, but lost its integrity
during freeze/thaw cycles. Data on the effect of
treatment on the mobility of PCBs is still being
evaluated.
C.F. Systems Corporation, of Cambridge,
Massachusetts has developed a solvent extraction
technology. The technology uses liquified gases at high
pressure as solvents to remove organic constituents from
sludges, solids, and liquid wastes. In September, 1988,
Visitors Observe C.F. Systems' Solvent Extraction Unit during
Technology Demonstration at New Bedford Harbor, MA
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C.F. Systems' pilot-scale system was tested on PCB-
contaminated harbor sediments from the Massachusetts
New Bedford Harbor Superfund site. The major
objective of the demonstration was to evaluate the ability
of the extraction system to remove and concentrate PCBs
from the sediments. During the test, PCB concentration
and residence time were varied for each of four test runs.
About one-half drum (30 gallons) of sediments (with
additional water added to obtain the appropriate
consistency) was processed for each run. Samples of the
waste feed, treated sediments, and extract were analyzed
for PCBs and other priority pollutants. Preliminary
results indicate that the process successfully removed
PCBs. Harbor sediments containing 350 ppm PCBs
were reduced to 10 ppm after ten passes through the unit.
Sediments containing 2,250 ppm PCBs were reduced to
96 ppm after six passes through the unit.
To be put on the mailing list to receive SITE
demonstration project reports, write to:
Dorothy Williams
USEPA/CERI
26 W, Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268
STATUS OF REMAINING
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
Site selection is nearly completed for all of the following
projects. Preliminary sites have been selected for most
projects.
Solidification/Stabilization Technologies
Geosafe Corporation, of Kirkland, Washington is
demonstrating a technology developed by Battelle
Pacific Laboratory. The technology is an in-situ
vitrification process (ISV) which thermally destroys
organic constituents and converts contaminated soil or
sludge into a glass and crystalline product. The site
selection process is continuing.
Separation and Recovery Systems (SRS) of Irvine
California, with EIF Ecology of France, has developed a
chemical fixation technology to stabilize wastes that
have significant organic content. Although the SRS/EIF
technology will effectively stabilize inorganic sludges
containing heavy metals, its primary objective is to
immobilize the organics that are present in oily sludges
such as crude oil, refinery intermediate or final products,
tars, and acid sludges. The process needs wastes
containing at least 5% organic and has worked very well
on wastes that contain 80% organics. This lime-based
process uses conventional earth moving equipment to
process and blend the specially-prepared lime mixture
with the waste. At the present time, work is progressing
to locate a site for the demonstration.
Biological Technologies
MoTec, Inc. of Juliet, Tennessee has developed a
portable, high-energy method of organic waste
biodegradation, referred to as Liquid-Solid Contact
Digestion. During this process, sludges or soils
contaminated with organic compounds are first mixed
with water and emulsifiers. The waste then undergoes
aerobic biological treatment in a batch digester, and is
transferred to a polishing tank for final treatment
Following the completion of the process, the supernatant
from the polisher is recycled to the primary contact tank,
and the residuals are further treated in land farms or
reactors on site as necessary. Recently, treatability
studies were conducted by MoTech on soil and sludge
samples from a Virginia wood preserving site, and a
pesticide contaminated site in Missouri. A
demonstration is planned at the Virginia site for spring,
1989.
The Powdered Activated Carbon Treatment (PACT)
process developed by Zimpro/Passavant, Inc. of
Rothschild, Wisconsin is a biological treatment that
incorporates physical adsorption using powdered carbon.
Solids removed from the wastewater treatment process
will be further processed through a wet air oxidation
unit. A site of a paint and varnish manufacturer in
New Jersey has tentatively been selected for the
demonstration, which is planned for late spring 1989.
Biotrol, Inc. has developed a biological treatment for
organics in aqueous waste. This new technology
biodegrades toxic compounds in groundwater, process
waters, and lagoon waters. Contaminants may include
PCP, creosote, and inorganic compounds such as
nitrates. Biotrol indicates that PCP concentrations up to
400 ppm may be treated with this process. The pilot unit
consists of a trailer mounted, 5 gal/min mobile system.
This demonstration is tentatively planned for summer
1989 at a site in Minnesota contaminated with PCP.
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Effluent to POTW
NPDES or Reuse
'Continuous Operation
Schematic ofBiotrois Aqueous Biological Treatment System
DETOX , Inc. of Dayton, Ohio has developed a new
biological process which treats aqueous wastes that have
low concentrations of organics. The submerged, fixed-
film bioreactor relies on aerobic microbial processes to
metabolize contaminants that are present in a liquid
waste stream. The design of the system allows for the
biological treatment of liquids containing low
concentrations of readily biodegradable materials to
discharge concentrations in the low parts per billion
range. The treatment is particularly effective in treating
alcohols and ketones, which are not amenable to carbon
adsorption. A typical DETOX system consists of an
above ground fixed-film reactor, supplemental nutrient
storage tank and pump, sump tank with pump, cartridge
filter, and an activated carbon filter. An oil and gas
site in Pennsylvania is being considered for this
demonstration.
Detox Submerged Fixed-Film Bioreactor
High and Low Temperature Thermal
Technologies
A circulating fluidized bed combustor, developed by
Ogden Environmental Services, destroys a variety of
waste materials at temperatures below 1560°F (850°C).
The unit employs simultaneous limestone injection,
which captures acid gases and eliminates the need for a
scrubber. The unit may be used to recover heat as steam,
or produce electricity, hot water, or air. A demonstration
of a transportable unit is planned for summer, 1989 at
the McColl Superfund site at Fullerton, California. The
McColl site was used for the disposal of petroleum
refinery waste in the 1940s. The waste of interest at the
site is a hard, black, asphalt waste which is highly acidic
due to high sulphur content. As of this writing, Ogden
was scheduled in late March to conduct a five-day test
on samples of McColl waste using a stationary pilot-
scale unit located in La Jolla, California. Ogden will
then run a one-month field-scale demonstration at the
McColl site using a 100 ton per day, transportable unit
Retech, Inc. of Ukiah, California has developed a
thermal treatment centrifugal reactor which uses plasma
heat to decompose organics in a mixed solid and liquid
feed. The solid components are melted and cast or
granulated for disposal, while the volatile compounds are
vaporized and decomposed in an afterburner. A
Department of Energy (DOE) facility in Montana is
being considered for a demonstration of this technology.
The site includes Butte Area Superfund sites
contaminated by mining and wood treating operations.
The demonstration will involve testing the reactor on
destruction of organic contaminants in the soil and
immobilization of heavy metals in a glass-type waste.
Plans are being made for the demonstration in early
summer, 1989. Preliminary tests in spring 1989 will use
a standard soil matrix.
Westinghouse Electric Corporation has developed a
transportable pyroplasma arc unit that treats pumpable
waste at a rate of three gallons per minute. This
technology uses an electric arc in an oxygen-deficient
atmosphere to produce a plasma at temperatures from
9000°F to 36,000°F (5000°C to 15,000°C), which breaks
down chemicals in waste to their atomic state. The
chemicals then reform into hydrogen, carbon monoxide,
hydrogen chloride, nitrogen, particulate carbon, and
carbon dioxide. The product gas is scrubbed with
caustic soda to neutralize and remove acid gas and to
remove particulate carbon. The system is process
computer controlled, and the entire unit is contained in a
48-foot trailer.
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Westinghouse obtained a hazardous waste research,
development, and demonstration permit for the Waltz
Mill facility near Pittsburgh where the demonstration is
to occur. Current plans are to transfer wood preserving
waste from a Superfund site in Maryland to the Waltz
Mill facility for a late spring 1989 demonstration.
Chemical Waste Management's Truck-Mounted X*TraxT"
Low-Temperature Thermal Desorption System
Chemical Waste Management, Inc. of Riverdale,
Illinois has developed a mobile thermal desorption
system, called X*TRAX™, which has been designed to
treat waste solids or sludges containing organics. The
X*TRAX™ system employs a process in which solids
with organic contamination are heated in the presence of
water, driving off the water and organic contaminants
and producing a dry solid containing trace amounts of
organic residue. The system consists of two parts: the
dryer trailer containing an indirectly-fired rotary kiln and
the off-gas trailer containing a cooling and condensing
train to remove organics from the resulting gas. An inert
nitrogen carrier gas is recirculated through the kiln to
transport the volatilized water and organics to the off-gas
handling system. The X*TRAX™ system is designed to
remove organic contaminants from solids and sludges
that contain less than 10% organics, and less than 60%
moisture. A demonstration at the Chemical Waste
Management facility in California is tentatively
scheduled for fall 1989 on PCB-contaminated soil.
Physical/Chemical Technologies
The B.E.S.T.™ solvent extraction-type sludge treatment
process, developed by Resource Conservation Co. in
Bellevue, Washington, is used to de-water and de-oil
contaminated sludges and soils, including those
containing PCBs. The process uses differences in the
chemical solubility of triethylamine (TEA) in water at
different temperatures to break waste into three
constituents: water effluent, reusable oil and organics,
and dry, oil-free solids. Heavy metals are isolated by
conversion to hydrated oxides which precipitate out and
exit the process with the solids fraction. The system has
been used as part of a removal action near Savannah,
Georgia, and the developer is looking for a suitable site
for a formal demonstration.
The Waste Processing Unit developed by Sanitech, Inc.
of Twinsburg, Ohio uses ion-exchange-like materials to
selectively remove toxic heavy metals from contami-
nated groundwater or surface water. During the process
aqueous waste passes through a filter bed which consists
of coated compounds that are attached to an inert carrier.
Acid treatment of the bed recovers the captured metal
ions and regenerates the bed material. EPA is
considering a zinc smelting site for this technology
demonstration.
Biotrol, Inc. of Chaska, Minnesota has developed a
mobile, pilot scale, 500 Ib/hr soil washing unit. The
process uses water to separate hydrocarbons, penta-
chlorophenol (PCP), and creosote from contaminated
soil. The method applies to soils that are predominantly
silts, sands, and gravels (not clays), with soil particles
greater than 20-70 microns. Fine particles (clays)
constitute part of the concentrated waste stream. The
technology is designed to treat PCP concentrations up to
5000 ppm; oil, grease, and creosote up to 5%; and
hydrocarbon petrochemicals up to 5-10%. Debris larger
than one inch must be removed prior to treatment, and
soils should not contain excessive amounts of clay. A
demonstration is planned for summer, 1989 at a site in
Minnesota contaminated with PCP.
Biotrol's Traitor-Mounted Soil Washing System
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CBI Freeze Crystallization Unit
CBI Freeze Technologies, Inc. of Plainfield, Illinois
separates contaminants from aqueous and liquid waste
by freezing the waste. This new technology operates on
the principle that when water freezes the ice crystal
structure naturally excludes all contaminants from the
water molecule matrix. Thus, when water containing
hazardous waste is cooled below its freezing point pure
water crystallizes out and may be physically separated
from the hazardous constituents. This process
concentrates the waste contaminants, thereby reducing
waste volume typically by 90%. The trailer mounted,
1 gal/min unit may be used to treat heavily-contaminated
liquid or aqueous wastes containing metals and organics
and from 1-10% dissolved solids. Sites for the CBI
Freeze demonstration are under review.
OBERLIN PRESSURE FILTER
WASTEWATER
FEED
Cutaway Schematic • DuPont Oberlin Pressure Filler with Dupont's
TYVEfC" Filter
E,I Dupont de NeMours, Inc. of Newark, Delaware has
developed an automatic micro-filteration system for the
removal of suspended solids from aqueous waste streams.
The treatment is based on use of Dupont's new Tyvek™
filter media in an automatic pressure filter provided by
the Oberlin Filter Co. The Tyvek™ material, in roll
goods form, provides for filtration down to 0.1 micron
with excellent chemical resistance and strength, while the
Oberlin filter produces a relatively dry filter cake and
allows unattended filtration capability. The system may
be used to treat any aqueous waste that contains
hazardous solids or dissolved constituents that can be
induced to precipitate. Metal particles, metal hydroxides
and oxides, radioactive particulates, organic solids, and
cyanide wastes have been successfully separated by the
system. Solids in the incoming waste are normally
limited to 5000 ppm in order to avoid rapid Filter cake
build-up. The demonstration is tentatively scheduled for
summer 1989 at a zinc smelting site in Pennsylvania.
Ground water at the site is contaminated with high
concentrations of zinc and other heavy metals.
Freeze Technologies' Freeze Crystallization Unit
Freeze Technologies Corporation of Raleigh, North
Carolina also uses freeze crystallization to separate
organics and inorganics from heavily-contaminated
aqueous and liquid wastes. The ice crystals may then be
recovered and washed with pure water to remove
adhering brine contaminants. Wastes are cooled by the
addition of coolant. Residuals generated by this process
include treated water and concentrated waste sludge,
typically 10% of the original waste volume. Freeze
Technologies currently has a mobile pilot system that
12
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CONTAMINATED SOIL
PROCESS
Schematic • Silicate Technology's Sotl Treatment and Stabilization
Process
will process up to 1 gal/minute, and a 10 gal/minute unit
is under construction. A California site with both toxic
metals and organics in the groundwater has been selected
for this demonstration.
Silicate Technology Corporation of Scottsdale, Arizona
has developed a method to stabilize metals and high-
molecular-weight organics in soils and sludges. This
new technology uses a proprietary reagent, FMS silicate,
to selectively adsorb organic contaminants prior to
mixing the waste with cementing material to form a
solid, high strength mass. The process can use standard
debris screening and mixing equipment (such as cement
trucks), and has already been used at non-Superfund
sites. According to Silicate Technology, this process
may be used to treat the following contaminants in
unlimited concentrations: metals, cyanides, fluorides,
arsenates, ammonia and other inorganics, as well as
higher weight organics, such as halogenated, aromatic,
and aliphatic compounds. A coal tar Superfund site in
Washington state has been tentatively identified for this
demonstration, and the developer has conducted
treatability tests. The demonstration is scheduled for late
spring 1989.
Toxic Treatments, Inc. (TTUSA) of San Mateo,
California has developed the Detoxifier, an in-situ
method of removing volatile organics from soil, using
steam or air. The transportable unit uses drills that have
been modified to allow for the expulsion of steam or air
through the cutting blades. The modified drills allow the
soil to become much more porous so that the injected,
superheated steam and air can uniformly heat and strip
the organic contaminants. Water and organic vapors are
Toxic Treatments' In-Situ Steam Extraction System
collected at the soil surface by a shroud and then
processed to recover the pure water and organics. For
steam stripping, the system is most practical for
contaminants with boiling points less than 300-350°F
(165-190°C). The remediation depth must be less than
27 feet and no underground obstacles larger than 14
inches in diameter should exist. A former storage and
transfer facility for bulk liquid chemicals in southern
California has been chosen for the demonstration, which
is to occur in late spring 1989. Contaminants at the site
include common industrial chemicals, chlorinated
solvents, plasticizers, adhesives, and paint additives.
To be put on the mailing list for RFP SITE 005,
scheduled for release in January 1990, write to:
Mr. William Frietsch
USEPA/RREL
26 W, Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268
MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING
PROGRAM
The SITE Measurement and Monitoring Technologies
Program provides assistance in the development and
demonstration of innovative technologies to characterize
Superfund sites. Through EPA's Environmental
Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada
(EMSL-LV) technologies are investigated for their
capacity to (1) assess the extent of contamination; (2)
13
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determine effects on human health and the environment;
(3) aid in the selection of the most appropriate remedial
action; and (4) monitor the effectiveness of a selected
remedy. To date, the SITE Measurement and
Monitoring Program has focused on two technologies:
immunoassays for toxic substances, and fiber optic
sensors for in-situ analysis at Superfund sites.
In the past year EMSL-LV research in immunoassays for
toxic substances included a laboratory evaluation of the
Westinghouse Bio-Analytic Systems (WBAS)
immunoassay for PCP. The immunoassay compared
favorable with a gas chromatography method in
precision and accuracy. Field tests of this method on
water samples at a PCP-contaminated Superfund site are
planned for 1989. Work is also underway on the
development of immunoassays for benzene, toluene, and
xylene in soil samples, and nitroaromatic compounds in
environmental samples.
Development of the trihalomethane (chloroform) fiber
optics sensor is also progressing. The sensor was
redesigned and field-tested again for gas-phase
measurements above contaminated ground water. As in
previous tests, the measurements had better precision
and were obtained faster than those obtained with field
gas chromatography. The sensitivity attained approaches
the drinking water compliance requirements. The sensor
is now ready for in-situ chloroform measurements in
water in 1989.
In addition, a fiber optics sensor for gasoline, developed
by a commercial firm with extensive collaboration by
EMSL-LV, is being expanded to produce a family of
specific fuel sensors that include jet fuel, kerosene,
diesel, and fuel oil, as well as other chlorinated
hydrocarbons such as trichlorethylene. For more
information on the Measurement and Monitoring
program contact:
EricKoglin .
U»S»EPA»E»vi«jnmental Monitoring Systems
Laboratory i
PA Box 93478
Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478 !
SEVEN EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
PROJECTS IN PROGRAM
The seven projects accepted in 1988 under the Emerging
Technologies Program are described below.
The Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories of Atomic
Energy of Canada Limited is developing a laboratory-
scale demonstration unit to extract toxic metal cations
from groundwater. The technology involves the use of
ultrafiltration in combination with water soluble
macromolecular compounds to selectively remove metal
ions from aqueous waste solutions.
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus Division will
perform a bench-scale test of an in-situ technology. The
process treats soils contaminated with fuel oils,
hazardous organic compounds, and heavy metals by the
application of electric and acoustic fields.
Bio-recovery Systems, Inc., will test AlgaSORB, a
sorption process based on the affinity of algae cell walls
for heavy metal ions. Immobilized algae cells in a silica
gel polymer are used in much the same way as ion-
exchange resins.
The Colorado School of Mines is experimenting with
constructed wetlands-based treatment technology. The
technology is predicated on the concept of using natural
geochemical and biological processes inherent in a
wetlands ecosystem to remove and accumulate metals
from influent waters as insoluble precipitates.
Energy and Environmental Systems, Inc. is inves-
tigating a technology designed to photochemically
oxidize aromatics to non-toxic chemical species. A laser
beam is used to contact and oxidize concentrated waste
particulates filtered and washed from groundwater.
Envirite Field Services, Inc. will be conducting a series
of laboratory tests on a soil washing process that uses a
patented blend of solvents. The tests will determine how
different soils separate from solvents using pressure
filtration and centrifugation.
The Western Research Institute will conduct several
tests of CROW: Contained Recovery of Oily Wastes.
The CROW process uses conventional oil recovery
technology with in-situ biodegradation to remediate
hazardous oily waste accumulations.
14
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The Technology Profiles (EPA/540/5-8S/Q03),
dated November 198&t contains more
information on leach technology in tte SITE
program, Tot^ceivei aeopy,calliEPA's Center
for Environmental Research Information
(CERI) 81513/569-7562 or FTS 684-7562,
SITE SEEKING NEW
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
The Emerging Technologies Program (ETP) fosters the
further investigation and development of treatment
technologies that are not yet ready for full-scale
demonstration. The goal of EPA's ETP is to ensure that
a steady stream of more permanent, cost-effective
technologies will be ready for demonstration in the field,
thereby increasing the number of viable alternatives
available for use in Superfund site remedial actions.
Successful validation could lead to the development of a
system ready for field demonstration. The ETP provides
2-year funding, through competitive cooperative
agreements, to developers of emerging technologies.
EPA will make available up to $150,000 per year, to a
maximum of $300,000 over two years, to any individual
developer.
To be considered for funding under the ETP, a developer
must first submit a preproposal in response to EPA's
annual solicitation. The preproposal includes a technical
description of the technology, description of the
proposed project, and estimated resources needed for the
proposed project. The preproposals are evaluated by a
panel of EPA personnel knowledgeable about the
treatment technology being evaluated. Following the
review period, 10-20 preproposers will be invited to
submit formal Competitive Cooperative Agreement
Applications.
The first set of ETP proposals were received in October,
1987. In October 1988, seven projects were awarded first
year funding totaling $1,000,000. The Second Request
for Proposal (RFP SITE E02) was released in July, 1988.
Sixty preproposals were received and 17 full proposals
are currently being evaluated. EPA plans to release its
third solicitation, RFP SITE E03, in July, 1989, with
preproposals due in September, 1989. Detailed
guidelines for preparing preproposals and the evaluation
criteria will be available in the RFP.
IF you would like to be pot on the mailing list to
receive a copy of the Emerging Program RFP::
write to:
Mr. William Frietech
USEPAVRBEL '•':-• ••
= 26 W. Mawin Lultier Kiftg Drive
h Cincinnati Obb 15268
DISSEMINATION OF TECHNOLOGY
INFORMATION
EPA will document the SITE demonstration results in
reports to be made available to Federal, State and private
cleanup managers and other interested parties. Report
summaries will be widely distributed, and reports will be
sent by request. In addition, EPA Project Managers are
available to discuss individual technology demon-
strations. Technology developers are also available to
discuss their processes. Phone numbers for these contacts
are listed in the SITE Program Participants table.
Recognizing that access to this and other treatment
information is essential to the acceptance and use of
alternative technologies, the SITE program has developed
an information clearinghouse to collect, synthesize, and
disseminate technology performance data. The
clearinghouse has three components:
• A Hotline provides callers with up-to-date
information on SITE projects, demonstration
schedules and the availability of the results, and will
also refer callers to other sources of information. The
number is 800-424-9346, or 382-3000 in Washington,
D.C.
• An electronic bulletin board, part of a planned
computerized data base network, provides summary
information on the SITE projects, demonstration
schedules and results. Currently, this bulletin board is
available only to Federal and State hazardous waste
clean-up personnel. Contact the hotline for
information on joining the electronic bulletin board.
• A collection of reports, journals and other documents
is housed in the EPA Library's Hazardous Waste
Collection. This collection is available at EPA's 10
regional and 5 laboratory libraries. The bibliographic
data base is accessible using a personal computer.
SITE documents will be added as they become
available.
TMVlronmeTitaT Protection
15
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EPA is in the second phase of the clearinghouse
implementation, and plans to include pertinent data
generated by other EPA programs and other Federal
agencies' and State hazardous waste clean-up projects.
EPA sources of data will include RCRA industry data,
RCRA trial burn data, ORD's water treatability data
base, CERCLA experience with technologies, CERCLIS,
and RCRA delisting data. For more information on the
clearinghouse, contact:
Michael Masutacci
EPA's Office of Research and Development
202-382-5747, (FTS) 382-5747 or the Hotline
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT No. G-35
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/540/8-89/002
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, Library (PL-12J)
77 West Jackson Boulevard, 12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
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