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Gaseous and particulate emissions from a DC arc melter
Thomas J Overcamp1, Matthew P Speer, Stewart J Griner
1Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Clemson University, Anderson, South Carolina 29625-6510, USA.
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)
|February 6, 2003
Summary
DC arc melter tests vitrified contaminated soils into stable waste forms. Emissions included gases and particulate matter, with lead and cesium enriched in the particles, not cerium.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Soil contamination by metal compounds and radionuclide surrogates poses environmental risks.
- Effective waste management strategies are crucial for hazardous material remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of DC arc melter technology for treating contaminated soils.
- To characterize the waste forms and emissions produced during the vitrification process.
Main Methods:
- Contaminated soil simulants were treated in a DC arc melter under air or nitrogen purge gases.
- Vitrified waste forms (glassy/ceramic) and metal phases were analyzed.
- Gaseous emissions and particulate matter (PM) were collected and analyzed for composition.
Main Results:
- Vitrification successfully produced stable glassy or ceramic waste forms with a distinct metal phase.
- Primary gaseous emissions included carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, methane, and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
- Particulate matter (PM) concentrations ranged from 32 to 145 g/m3; cerium (surrogate for Pu, U) was not enriched, but cesium and lead were significantly enriched in the PM.
Conclusions:
- DC arc melter technology is effective for immobilizing metal compounds and radionuclide surrogates in soil.
- Understanding emission profiles, particularly PM composition, is critical for safe operation and risk assessment.
- Enrichment of lead and cesium in PM requires careful consideration for emission control strategies.