Abstract

Terra-Kleen Response Group Inc. (Terra-Kleen), has commercialized a solvent extraction technology that uses a proprietary extraction solvent to transfer organic constituents from soil to a liquid phase in a batch process at ambient temperatures. The proprietary solvent has a relatively low toxicity, is water soluble, and is nonchlorinated.

The Terra-Kleen solvent extraction technology was demonstrated from September through November 1997 at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Fernald Environmental Restoration Management Project (FEMP) site in Fernald, Ohio. The Terra-Kleen RCI demonstration was a cooperative effort among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), and several state agencies.

For the RCI demonstration, Terra-Kleen agreed to remove semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two 1-cubic-yard batches of low-level radioactive soil, two 1-cubic-yard batches of low-level radioactive sludge, and two 1-cubic-yard batches of low-level radioactive debris. The soil, sludge, and debris were treated separately in six treatment vessels, each containing about 1-cubic-yard of material.

The Terra-Kleen RCI demonstration was designed with two primary and three secondary objectives to provide potential users of the technology with the information necessary to assess the applicability of the Terra-Kleen system at other contaminated sites. The RCI demonstration objectives were achieved through the collection of soil, sludge, and debris samples, as well as solvent and water samples.

This Rapid Commercialization Initiative (RCI) Report presents the results of the Terra-Kleen RCI demonstration. The RCI report evaluates the ability of the solvent extraction technology to remove SVOCs, including PCBs, and VOCs from low-level radioactive soil, sludge, and debris. Specifically, this report discusses performance and economic data collected during the RCI demonstration.

Contact

Terry Lyons

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