United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA-600/S7-83-024 June 1983
v>EPA Project Summary
At-Sea Incineration of
PCB-Containing Wastes
Onboard the M/T VULCANUS
D.G. Ackerman, J. F. McGaughey, and D.E. Wagoner
This report describes tests during the
incineration-at-sea of a shipload of
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on-
board the M/T VULCANUS, during
August 1982 in the Gulf of Mexico. A
standard EPA-specified sampling train
was used to acquire samples of the
effluent combustion gases. A fixed-
position water-cooled probe, in the
starboard incinerator, directed stack
gas to the train. Ten tests were per-
formed. Samples of the waste were
also taken during each test. Samples
were analyzed on land for PCBs, chlorc-
benzenes, tetrachlorodibenzofurans
(TCDFs), and tetrachlorodibenzo-p-
dioxins (TCDDs). Other test related
activities included wipe-sampling and
onboard analysis of these samples,
acquisition of samples of work space
air in the incineration control room and
the dining room, and acquisition of
pertinent process related data. The var-
ious measures of performance met or
exceeded requirements of the permit.
Incinerator walls averaged 1303°C,
oxygen 10.1 percent, carbon dioxide
9.1 percent carbon monoxide 8 ppm,
combustion efficiency 99.99 percent
and destruction efficiencies greater
than 99.99 percent for PCBs and
chlorobenzenes and greater than 99.9
percent for TCDFs.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Industrial Environmental Re-
search Laboratory, Research Triangle
Park, NC, to announce key findings of
the research project that is fully docu-
mented in a separate report of the
same title (see Project Report ordering
information at back).
Introduction
Thermal destruction of combustible
wastes at sea is an alternative to land-
based incineration. In August 1974, March
1977, and July-September 1977, testing
sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA) was performed while
the M/T VULCANUS was burning organo-
chlorine wastes. Results of these tests
were evaluated by the EPA: it was con-
cluded that oceanic incineration was an
environmentally acceptable and cost-
effective alternative to other means of
disposal.
The first at-sea incineration of wastes
containing polychlorinated byphenyls
(PCBs) was performed in U.S. waters
under EPA permit HQ-81-002 during
December 1981 - January 1982. The
wastes were burned on the incinerator
ship M/T VULCANUS, operated by Ocean
Combustion Service (OCS) BV, Rotterdam,
The Netherlands. The wastes were sup-
plied by Chemical Waste Management
(CWM), Inc., Oak Brook, IL, from its facility
in Emelle, AL CWM and OCS were the
permittees. OCS is a wholly owned sub-
sidiary of CWM.
During August 15-31, 1982 a second
shipload of PCB-containing wastes sup-
plied by CWM was incinerated by the M/T
VULCANUS, also under research permit
HQ-81 -002. EPA sponsored a test project
during this second burn, and this docu-
ment reports the results of testing to
measure emissions of unburned PCBs,
chlorobenzenes (CBs), tetrachlorodiben-
zofurans (TCDFs), and tetrachlorodibenzo-
p-dioxins (TCDDs).
Summary of Results
Incineration occurred in the Gulf of
Mexico at-sea incineration site designated
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by EPA for oceanic incineration. The site is
centered 315 km (196 mi) SSE of Gal-
veston, TX, and 350 km (217 mi ) S of
Cameron, LA and occupies an area of
about 4,900 km2 (1,890 mi2). Incinera-
tion operations started on August 1 7 and
were completed on August 29. The cargo
was 3,523 metric tons (mt) (3,883 tons)
in weight and 3,031 m3 (801,000 gal.) in
volume. Incineration operations required
282 hours and a total of 3,507 mt was
destroyed.
A standard EPA-specified sampling train
was used to acquire samples of the ef-
fluent combustion gases. A fixed-position
water-cooled probe, mounted in the star-
board incinerator, directed stack gas to the
train. Ten tests were performed. Samples
of the waste were also taken during each
test Samples were analyzed on land for
PCBs, chlorobenzenes, tetrachlorodiben-
zofurans (TCDFs), and tetrachlorodibenzo-
p-dioxins (TCDDs) by the Univerisy of
Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, and the Environ-
mental Monitoring Systems Laboratory of
EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC (EMSL-
RTP).
Other test-related activities included
wipe-sampling and onboard analysis of
these samples, acquisition of samples of
work space air in the incineration control
room and the dining room, and acquistion
of pertinent process-related data.
The various measures of performance
met or exceeded requirements of the per-
mit Incineratorwall temperatures averaged
1303°C, oxygen 10.1 percent carbon
dioxide 9.1 percent carbon monoxide 8
ppm, combustion efficiency 99.99 per-
cent, and destruction efficiencies greater
than 99.99 percent for PCBs and chloro-
benzenes and greater than 99.9 percent
for TCDFs.
The full report describes the M/T
VULCANUS and the testing, gives results
of the test operations and analyses, and
presents destruction efficiencies. There
are nine appendices: voyage report of the
Chief Engineer, example calculations, se-
lected portions of research permit HQ-81 -
002, evaluation of a heat-traced Teflon
line, procedures for cleaning glassware,
EPA summary of analyses of TCDFs and
TCDDs, EPA report on the quality assur-
ance effort on the analyses of TCDFs and
TCDDs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
report on the analyses of test samples for
TCDFs and TCDDs, and Research Triangle
Institute report on the quality assurance
effort on the analyses of audit samples for
PCBs.
D. Ackerman, J. McGaughey, andD. Wagoner are with TRW, Inc., Redondo Beach,
CA 90278.
Merrill D. Jackson is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "At-Sea Incineration of PCB-Containing Wastes
Onboard the M/T VULCANUS," (Order No. PB 83-207 647; Cost: $23.50,
subject to change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Postage and
Fees Paid
Environmental
Protection
Agency
EPA 335
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
CHICAGO It- 60o04
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