Hazardous or toxic waste destruction or containment – Containment – Solidification – vitrification – or cementation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-08
2003-04-29
Bos, Steven (Department: 1754)
Hazardous or toxic waste destruction or containment
Containment
Solidification, vitrification, or cementation
C588S253000, C588S253000, C208S044000, C208S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06555728
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pitch material of the type used in ballasts of fluorescent lamps, which is typically contaminated with polyhalogenated aromatic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and more specifically to processes for destruction of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds present in such pitch material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical ballast for a fluorescent lamp consists of a heavy gauge steel box surrounding a reactor (comprising a core and a coil assembly), a capacitor and a thermal protector. The capacitor is filled with a dielectric material, most commonly consisting of one or more polyhalogenated aromatic compounds such as PCBs.
The spaces between the steel box and the inner components of the ballast are typically filled with an asphalt-based seal potting material, also known as “pitch”, which is solid at ambient temperature and which melts at a temperature of from about 110° C. to about 150° C. The pitch contained in a fluorescent lamp ballast typically contains some amount of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds, which may originate from dielectric fluid leaked from a faulty capacitor or which may be incorporated into the pitch as a fire retardant or the like.
Environmental and toxicological problems caused by the use of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds resulted in a restriction on their production under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 and a complete ban of their manufacture by the EPA in 1979. New regulatory requirements were also imposed on the disposal of polyhalogenated aromatic compound-containing waste materials.
Although a variety of technologies are available for disposal of polyhalogenated aromatic compound-containing wastes, government regulatory requirements restrict and control their use in each jurisdiction. In the United States, the proper method for disposing of polyhalogenated aromatic compound-containing ballasts depends on their condition and on specific state and federal regulations. According to TSCA regulations, non-leaking ballasts may be disposed of in a municipal solid waste landfill. Leaking ballasts, on the other hand, must be incinerated at an EPA-approved high-temperature incinerator.
Due to potential future liabilities relating to disposal of polyhalogenated aromatic compound-containing wastes in landfills, incineration has become the preferred method for disposal of polyhalogenated aromatic compound-containing ballasts. The high cost of incinerating whole ballasts has, however, led to the development of alternative treatments whereby the components of the ballast are separated, with the metal components being recovered and the polyhalogenated aromatic compound-containing capacitor and pitch being incinerated.
In general, the pitch from fluorescent lamp ballasts contains very little, if any, polyhalogenated aromatic compounds. However, the cost of analyzing the polyhalogenated aromatic compound content of the pitch is generally higher than the cost of incineration, and therefore the pitch is usually sent for incineration without analysis. The incineration of large amounts of pitch to destroy relatively small quantities of polyhalogenated aromatics is wasteful.
To reduce the cost and efficiency of disposal, an improved method is needed for treatment of pitch from fluorescent lamp ballasts to destroy polyhalogenated aromatic compounds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art by providing a process for destruction of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds contained in pitch from fluorescent lamp ballasts in which the pitch is combined with one or more organic solvents to form a liquid phase in which the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds are dissolved, followed by chemically destroying the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds in the liquid phase.
According to the process of the present invention, the pitch may be partially or completely melted before it is combined with the organic solvent, or may be combined with the organic solvent at ambient temperature and subsequently heated to dissolve the pitch in the solvent.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the organic solvent s comprised of mineral oil which is optionally combined with one or more co-solvents in order to lower the temperature at which the pitch becomes dissolved.
Following formation of a single liquid phase comprising the pitch and the organic solvent, the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds dissolved therein are preferably destroyed by contacting the liquid phase with an alkali dispersion, as described in co-pending Canadian patent application Ser. No. 2,316,409, filed Aug. 18, 2000, for an invention entitled “Method for Decontamination of Low Level Polyhalogenated Aromatic Contaminated Fluid and Simultaneous Destruction of High Level Polyhalogenated Aromatics”, the teachings of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. The polyhalogenated aromatic compounds contained in the single liquid phase may instead be destroyed chemically by other known processes for decontamination of materials containing polyhalogenated aromatic compounds, including but not restricted to reaction with a blend of potassium or sodium hydroxide with polyethylene glycol or reaction with potassium tert-butoxide.
The present invention thus provides a simple and economical method for destroying the relatively low levels of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds present in pitch, which avoids the need for pitch incineration.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for destruction of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds contained in pitch from ballasts of fluorescent lamps, comprising: (a) contacting said pitch with a sufficient amount of an organic solvent such that the pitch and the solvent together form a liquid phase in which the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds are dissolved; and (b) chemically destroying the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds in the liquid phase.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred methods for destruction of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds in pitch from fluorescent lamp ballasts are now described below. Prior to performing the process of the invention, the lamp ballast is preferably separated into its individual components. The metal casing and other components free from polyhalogenated aromatic compounds are recovered and recycled, where possible. The capacitor oil and the pitch are the chief components containing polyhalogenated aromatic compounds and are processed separately.
Pitch is a tar-like substance comprised of long-chain hydrocarbons, being solid at ambient temperatures and melting over a range of temperatures from about 110° C. to about 150° C.
The pitch is processed in a two step process according to the present invention. In the first step, the pitch is contacted with a sufficient amount of an organic solvent such that the pitch and the solvent together form a liquid phase in which the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds are dissolved. References to formation of a liquid phase by the pitch and the solvent as used herein refer to dissolution or dispersion of the pitch in the organic solvent to a sufficient extent that substantially all the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds present in the pitch become dissolved in the organic solvent.
In one preferred process of the present invention, the pitch is first heated prior to being combined with the solvent. Preferably, the pitch is heated to a temperature at which it is at least partially malted, typically about 110° C. to about 150° C., after which it is contacted with an organic solvent which is preferably pre-heated to a temperature at which substantial solidification of the pitch will not occur during mixing. The result is a solution of pitch in the organic solvent, which is preferably maintained at a temperature of about 90° C. for further processing in the second step of the process.
In another preferred process of the invention, the solid pitch is combined with the organic solvent and is subsequently heated until a single liquid phase
Gonzalez Luciano A.
Harcus James D.
Kowalyk Henry E.
Sim Blair F.
Bos Steven
Kinectrics Inc.
Kuhar Anthony
Ridout & Maybee LLP
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