Enhanced volatilization of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds

Abstract

This invention provides a method or process for separating an organic chlorinated contaminant such as polychlorobiphenyl from an inert porous material which comprises admixing the material with an effective amount of a volatilizable organic liquid in which the contaminant is soluble, heating the admixture under vacuum to a temperature above the boiling point of the organic liquid but below the decomposition temperature of the organic liquid and the contaminant, while maintaining a flow of an inert sweep gas through the porous material, and collecting the vapors for further treatment which includes recovery of the organic liquid for reuse in the decontamination of soil and other porous materials. Recovery of the organic liquid is achieved by passing the vapors from the separation step through a bed of activated carbon at a temperature above the vaporization temperature of the organic liquid. The carbon selectively adsorbs and holds the contaminant while the organic liquid in vapor form passes through and is recovered by condensation and recirculated to enhance decontamination of additional material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.