Multi-stage pyrolysis systems for treating chlorine contaminated wastes
AssigneeCH2M Hill, Inc.
InventorJay M. Quimby
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of decontaminating solids contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons includes a first step of heating the contaminated solids at a temperature high enough to volatize chlorine contaminates but below a temperature range favorable to the formation of the dioxins and furans to dechlorinate the contaminated solids. Volatilized chlorine contaminates are removed from the dechlorinated contaminated solids. The dechlorinated contaminated solids are then purged with an inert gas to remove oxygen from the dechlorinated contaminated solids. Thereafter the dechlorinated contaminated solids are heated in the absence of oxygen to a temperature sufficient to crack hydrocarbons contaminating the solids to lower molecular weight hydrocarbons.
Claims15
A method of decontaminating solids contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons comprising:
- a) heating the contaminated solids at a temperature high enough to volatize chlorine contaminates but below a temperature range favorable to the formation of dioxins and furans to dechlorinate the contaminated solids;
- b) removing the volatilized chlorine contaminates from the dechlorinated contaminated solids;
- and
- c) cracking hydrocarbons contaminating the solids into lower molecular weight hydrocarbons by heating the dechlorinated contaminated solids in the absence of oxygen to a temperature sufficient to crack hydrocarbons.
A method of decontaminating solids contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons comprising:
- a) purging the contaminated solids with an inert gas to substantially remove oxygen gas from the contaminated solids;
- b) heating the contaminated solids at a first temperature high enough to volatilize chlorine contaminates but below a temperature range favorable to the formation of dioxins and furans to dechlorinate the contaminated solids;
- c) purging the contaminated solids with an inert gas to remove the volatilized chlorine contaminates;
- d) cracking hydrocarbons contaminating the solids into lower molecular weight hydrocarbons by heating the dechlorinated contaminated solids to a second temperature sufficient to crack hydrocarbons and
- e) purging the dechlorinated contaminated solids with an inert gas to remove gaseous cracked lower molecular weight hydrocarbons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.