SITE Program: The Results to Date
Ronald D. Hfll*
Introduction
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research
and Development (ORD), joining with the Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response (OSWER), has initiated the Superfund Innovative
Technology Evaluation (SITE) program. The SITE program will help EPA
find, test, and encourage the use of new ways to destroy, stabilize, or
otherwise treat hazardous wastes, rather than just burying them in the
ground.
The overall goal of the SITE program is to maximize the use of
alternatives to land disposal and containment at Superfund sites. To
accomplish this goal, the program will provide reliable cost and per-.
formance information on technologies that offer an alternative to land
disposal. This information will be generated by conducting pilot-scale
or full-scale demonstrations of alternative technologies at Superfund
sites.
Background
EPA's Superfund program is designed to clean up hazardous waste
sites around the country. It has been under way for 6 years with
action taken at over 450 Superfund sites to address long-term problems
created by hazardous wastes. More than half of these sites have in-
volved burying the hazardous wastes in specially prepared landfills—a
process called land disposal. While land disposal can be a good way to
handle wastes, in some instances it does not provide a permanent"solu-
tion to the problem. .The wastes in the landfill may sti.ll be dangerous
and may potentially leak through the confines of the burial site. :
Recently, members of the scientific community,- the public, and
Congress expressed concern that it was time to move away from reliance
on land disposal for handling hazardous wastes. These views are re-
flected in the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1985 (HSWA) and
the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). The
Agency responded by altering certain policies and developing regula-
tions regarding hazardous waste disposal in landfills and the expanded
use of alternative technologies.
More specifically, the Land Disposal Restriction provisions of HSWA
stipulate that certain wastes cannot be land disposed unless they meet
specific concentration-based treatment standards that represent best
V
*Director, Land Pollution Control Division, Hazardous Waste Engineering
Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
26 W. St. Clair Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.
1 Hill
-------
Page Intentionally Blank
-------
demonstrated available technology. Similarly, the new SARA sets a
clear preference for the use of cost-effective treatment remedies which
(permanently and significantly reduce the toxicity, mobility, or volume
of wastes at Superfund sites. In addition to these provisions, SARA
directs EPA to carry out a program of research, evaluation, testing,
development, and demonstration of alternative or innovative technolo-
gies to achieve more permanent protection of human health and welfare
and the environment. These laws, regulations, and policies clearly
provide the impetus toward the use of treatment alternatives for the
management of hazardous wastes. Technical and policy guidance on the
use and availability of alternative technologies in both the Superfund
removal and remedial programs is expected soon.
Site Program Phases
The four phases of the SITE program listed below are being conducted
simultaneously. They will be integrated so that information from one
phase can be used in another. Each phase is designed to meet a par-
ticular objective of the SITE program. The SITE program will be
periodically reviewed to determine how information generated from all
phases may be used to encourage the selection of new technologies at
Superfund sites.
Phase I: Identify and Remove Impediments
Trained engineers, economists, and policy analysts will identify
the obstacles to the orderly development and use of alternative
technologies to manage hazardous wastes. Resolving issues dealing
with permit requirements, treatment residue disposal, liabilities,
procurement requirements, and public interest will help pave the way
to increased use of treatment alternatives. Recommendations on how
EPA can remove or limit obstacles to the use of alternative tech-
nologies will be complete in 1987.
Phase II: Conduct a Demonstration Program
EPA will conduct a demonstration program for innovative technolo-
gies at selected Superfund sites or at a facility processing hazardous
waste. From these demonstrations, EPA will develop performance and
cost information for the new technologies. This information will
help EPA decide under what circumstances to use the technology at
hazardous waste sites.
The demonstration program will be an ongoing effort. EPA plans
to start several demonstrations as soon as possible to obtain infor-
mation on the most advanced technologies. Demonstrations will then
occur on a yearly schedule. An annual SITE .demonstration plan will
be published for public comment and will discuss the proposed tech-
nologies to be demonstrated and the Superfund sites identified for
use that year. A report on the current status of the demonstration
program is reported later.
Hill
-------
Phase III: Applications Analyses
Successful demonstration of a technology will not guarantee that
a technology will in fact be adopted for full-scale use at Superfund
sites. In addition to the analysis of impediments and the demonstration
programs described earlier, the SITE program includes an analysis of
the investment potential and long-term demand for a technology.
SITE, therefore, has included an analysis of the potential demand
for a given technology in its program to assist developers in plan-
ning for commercialization of their technology. The analysis is not
intended to replace the normal market analysis performed by the
private sector, but rather will provide information to help improve
the accuracy of such analysis as well as assist the EPA in long-term
program planning. The effort primarily will be directed to deter-
mine how many sites can use a given technology. This may involve
additional tests using surrogate wastes at a test and evaluation
facility.
Phase IV. Emerging Technologies Development
While much of the SITE program necessarily is focused on tech--
nologies that are ready for demonstrations to accelerate their
acceptance into routine commercial use, it is recognized that there
may be technologies in a lesser state of development which deserve
attention. Therefore, the SITE program includes a development
program to assist the development of technologies from the labora-
tory and pilot-scale phases to the demonstration phase. This work
usually should be performed by the private sector. However, where
attractive technologies have not generated sufficient private sector
interest, the EPA may choose to assist their development.
The development program is similar to the demonstration program.
The EPA will monitor nonfederal research and development activities
to identify promising technologies. There will be routine solicita-
tions to allow developers to propose a program of EPA assistance to
develop their technologies. The EPA intends to focus on emerging
alternative technologies that deal with recycling, separation, de-
toxification, destruction, and stabilization of hazardous constitu-
ents. The selection of technologies for EPA support will be based
on the same criteria as the selection process under the demonstra-
tion program, plus consideration of the capability of the developer
to conduct the work.
The program also may involve extensive use of EPA inhouse capabilities.
The Agency has several test and evaluation facilities which may be
appropriate to further research and develop,-specific technologies. If
the demand for such facilities grows, the EPA may expand or modify
its facilities. In general, however, this program is intended to be
incorporated into the EPA's long-term research and development
programs and become a permanent part of the Agency's hazardous waste
programs. /
Hill
-------
The Demonstration Phase: A Summary
Phase II, the Demonstration Phase, will be the most publicly visible
of the four phases. Actual work will begin at Superfund sites during
the demonstration phase and new technologies will be evaluated. Key
events in the demonstration phase are summarized:
0 Advertise in Commerce Business Daily
A notice requesting proposals was placed in the Commerce Business
Daily (CBD) in early January 1987, and will be placed annually
thereafter. Developers of new and innovative technologies are asked
to obtain from EPA the information necessary to submit proposals for
demonstrating their technology. Information about the Request for
Proposals (RFP) can be obtained from Mr. Steve James (ORD) by call-
ing 513/569-7877 (commercial), or 684-7877 (FTS).
In addition to choosing technologies based on the CBD advertise-
ment, EPA has set up a second mechanism where innovative technolo-
gies may also be demonstrated as part of routine response actions.
Superfund or other cleanup sites on which EPA is planning to use
treatment technologies as part of the response action may be adapted
for SITE demonstrations.
0 Select Technologies
Potential new technologies will be carefully screened by OSWER
and ORD. The screening process will be competitive and must be
completed within 90 days of receiving the completed application. In
selecting technologies to be demonstrated, EPA must consider, at a
minimum, the following criteria:
1. The potential for contributing to solutions to those waste
problems which pose the greatest threat to human health,
which cannot be adequately controlled under present technolo-
gies, or which otherwise pose significant management diffi-
culties.
2. The availability of technologies which have been sufficiently
developed for field demonstration and which are likely to be
cost-effective and reliable.
3. The availability and suitability of sites for demonstrating
such technologies, and the capability to conduct^demonstra-
tion projects-in such a manner as to assure the protection of
human health and the environment.
4. The likelihood that the data to be generated from the demon-
stration project at the site will be applicable to other
sites.
Hill
-------
0 Match Technologies to Sites
Many of the-new technologies may only be suited for specific
kinds of wastes at a specific site. Using the expertise and knowl-
edge in EPA Headquarters, laboratories, and the EPA regions, tech-
nologies will be matched with wastes at selected Superfund sites.
The new Superfund law requires EPA to initiate a minimum of ten
technology demonstrations each year. While most demonstrations will
take place at Superfund sites, some technologies may be tested at
commercial hazardous waste sites or at special test and evaluation
facilities operated by EPA or the developer. Factors such as risk,
public interest, expense, disposal of residues, and involvement of
potentially responsible parties will be considered when matching
sites and wastes with technologies.
0 Conduct Demonstration
After reviewing and incorporating comments on the SITE demonstra-
tion plan, EPA will enter into a cooperative agreement with the
developer of the technology. The demonstration may last several
months, depending upon the time required to gather information on
the effectiveness and reliability of the technology. The developer
will provide the equipment and be responsible for setup and operation
at the demonstration site. The technology will treat Superfund
wastes during the test, but since it is only a'demonstration, it will
not be expected to clean up all of the wastes at the Superfund site.
EPA's role will be ttxinsure credible results by providing the
testing protocols and procedures and preparing the analytical and
quality assurance/quality control work plans so the performance data
can be consistently and accurately interpreted.
0 Complete Evaluation and Distribute Information
At the close of each demonstration, EPA will evaluate the results
of all tests. If the results are positive, the technology could be
applied at other similar Superfund sites. EPA will modify Agency
procedures to encourage the use of these and other alternative
technologies.
EPA will make available the results of each new technology to the
hazardous waste cleanup industry, regulatory agencies, and the
public. The Agency is developing a technology transfer program to
ensure the distribution of accurate information as quickly as possible.
The Program to Date ;" )
The Superfund reauthonzation calls for a minimum of ten field dem-
onstrations per year through 1990. Congress authorized $20 million per
year for the demonstration program, including demonstrations of innova-
tive monitoring equipment. In FY'87, $8 million has been appropriated
for this program.
Hill
-------
In anticipation of reauthorization, EPA began setting up the SITE
program in 1986. In March 1986, the first notice requesting proposals
was placed in the CBD. Another notice appeared in January 1987. A
brief description of the technologies which will be demonstrated in
1987 follows:
1. Biological Degradation of Organic Contaminants Process developed by
Detox Industries, Inc., Sugar Land, Texas, biodegrades organic
contaminants in water, sludge, and/or soil into harmless materials.
Microorganisms developed by Detox are introduced into the waste
media in a reactor. Proprietary ingredients are applied when
necessary to adjust conditions for optimum biodegradation. Waste
types to be treated during the demonstration are PCB-contaminated
soils and sludges, and PAH/creosote soils.
2. Circulating Bed Combustion (CBC) process developed by Ogden
Environmental Services, San Diego, California, is an advancement of
the traditional fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technology which
yields improved performance. The improvements arise from a higher
gas velocity through the combustion chamber that produces a higher
combustion efficiency. Waste material and limestone are fed into a
combustion chamber along with recirculated bed material from a hot
cyclone. The high turbulence in the combustor allows the process
to destroy halogenated compounds such as PCB at temperatures
below 850°C.
3. The Electric Pyrolyzer is a process developed by Westinghouse Waste
Technology Services Division, Madison, Pennsylvania, to thermally
destruct hazardous organic wastes without combustion. The process
is designed as part of a mobile system unit. The system operates
through a rapid transfer of energy to waste materials causing dis-
sociation of organic molecules into individual atoms. Residence
times for materials in the gaseous and liquid phases are fully
controllable. Therefore, a wide range of destruction efficiencies
may be obtained. Halogens, metals, and other impurities are
trapped within a bath and the resultant product is a vitrified
solid and clean off-gas. A wide range of organic and inorganic
waste types is suitable for the process.
4. Incinetron Hazardous Waste Destruction System-, Pure Oxygen Burner
developed by Advanced Combustion Technologies, Inc., Norcross,
Georgia, involves pure oxygen in combination with air and natural
gas combusted to destroy liquid hazardous waste. This method
allows higher burning temperatures without the addition of excess
air. The ability toAadd oxygen without adding combustion air
allows temperatures up to 4500°F. Conventional burners have a
maximum of about 2400°F because of the problems encountered with
adding air to the process. The burner will be installed in an EPA
incinerator and evaluated.
Hill
-------
Electric Infrared Incineration developed by Shirco Infrared Systems,
Inc., Dallas, Texas, consists of a continuous conveyor belt furnace
with associated material feed and discharge systems. In addition,
a process control and instrumentation equipment, secondary combus-
tion chamber, and mission control system are used. The incinerator
conveyor moves waste material through insulated heating modules to
volatilization/combustion temperatures by infrared heating elements.
Rotary rakes turn the material to ensure mixing and complete burn-
out. Exhaust gases pass to a secondary chamber for destruction of
residual organics and a venture scrubber/spray tower is utilized
for particulate and acid control. Specific organic waste types
include volatile and semi-volatile organics, PNA's, dioxins, pesti-
cides, and PCB's. For inorganics the process showed that certain
heavy metals can be thermally "fixed."
"CHLORANAN 20" Solidification Process developed by Hazcon, Inc.,
Katy, Texas, is a process where the reagent "CHLORANAN 20" is mixed
with the organic waste stream and a cementitious product. The
resultant mass becomes hardened and can be handled by a forklift
within 3 hours if poured into forms. All blending is accomplished
utilizing mobile field blending units that are totally enclosed to
prevent volatile organic escape. Specific organic wastes include
hydrocarbon waste from refinery operations, petrochemical, solvents,
paint residue, and greases. For inorganics all heavy metals are
suitable to treatment.
Pyroplasma System developed by the Westinghouse Plasma Systems,
Madison, Pennsylvania, is a process based on the concept of pyro-
lyzing waste molecules using a thermal plasma field. The process
destroys liquid organic wastes by dissociating the organic contents
into their component elements. The plasma torch is the vital fea-
ture of the process. Liquid wastes are injected directly into the
plasma with a temperature of 5000-20,000°C where the hazardous
molecules are broken into their atomic states in an oxygen defi-
cient atmosphere. The atoms recombine according to chemical kinet-
ics. Specific organic wastes include methyl ethyl ketone (MEK),
methanol (MeOH),,.ethanol (ETOH), carbon tetrachloride, and Askarel
(PCB's and trichlorobenzene).
Vacuum Extraction of Volatile Contaminants-from Soils and Ground-
water was developed by Terra Vac, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico. The
Terra Vac Process involves a mobile in-situ treatment which ex-
tracts the volatile contaminants from soils and groundwater by
introducing a negative pressure gradient through the use of vacuum
pumps. Air emissions of volatile organic compounds are controlled
by carbon adsorption condensers or afterburners. Speci.fic organic
waste types include volatile organic compounds (VOC), hydrocarbons,
and solvents in soils.
Hill
-------
9. HWT Chemical Fixation Process developed by International Waste
Technologies, Wichita, Kansas, is a system which consists of a
two-phased reaction. The toxic elements and compounds are fixed in
a fast-acting reaction with toxic metals and organics by intercala-
tion compounds. In phase two, the macro-molecule framework is an
irreversible colloid synthesis from a solid, to a gel, to a crys-
talline, three-dimensional, inorganic polymer. The bonding of
hazardous elements and compounds is the development of the chemical
reaction of the sulpho-ferri-aluminate hydrates. The admixtures
used promote a better development of the IPN bonding as a result of
the uniform microscopic distribution of HWT compounds. There are
no known limitations for specific organic or inorganic waste types.
10. Plasma Arc Pyrolysis System developed by Pyrolysis Systems, Inc.,
and owned by New York State Department of Environmental Conserva-
tion, Albany, New York, is a mobile hazardous waste destruction
system based upon the plasma pyrolysis of the waste chemical feed.
It is similar in concept to the Westinghouse unit. It will be
demonstrated on the sludges resulting from the Love Canal waste
treatment plant.
8 Hill
------- |