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AssigneeLockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
InventorsDavid H. Meikrantz, Bruce J. Mincher, Rodney E. Arbon
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The invention is a process for the in-situ destruction of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds in transformer oils and transformers. These compounds are broken down selectively by irradiation of the object or mixture using spent nuclear fuel or any isotopic source of high energy gamma radiation. For example, the level of applied dose required to decompose 400 ppm of polychlorinated biphenyl in transformer oil to less than 50 ppm is 500 kilogray. Destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls to levels of less than 50 ppm renders the transformer oil or transformer non-PCB contaminated under current regulations. Therefore, this process can be used to treat PCB contaminated oil and equipment to minimize or eliminate the generation of PCB hazardous waste.
A process for the high energy selective decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons in oil without generating off-gas byproducts, comprising, subjecting the oil containing chlorinated hydrocarbons to a gamma radiation energy having an average energy in the range of between 700 to 9000 keV for a sufficient time and applied dose rate to decompose the chlorinated hydrocarbons at a decomposition rate that exceeds a decomposition rate of the oil to provide desired concentration levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the chlorinated hydrocarbons and oil mixture.
A process for the high energy selective decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons in a mixture of chlorinated hydrocarbons and oil, the steps comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.