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Remediation Technologies Screening Matrix, Version 4.0 4.21 Hot Gas Decontamination
(Ex Situ Soil Remediation Technology)
  Description Synonyms Applicability Limitations Site Information Points of Contact
Data Needs Performance Cost References Vendor Info. Health & Safety
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>>3.6 Ex Situ Thermal Treatment (assuming excavation)

      >>4.21 Hot Gas Decontamination
Introduction>> The process involves raising the temperature of the contaminated equipment or material for a specified period of time. The gas effluent from the material is treated in an afterburner system to destroy all volatilized contaminants.

Description:

Figure 4-21a: Typical Process Flow Diagram
for Hot Gas Decontamination of Explosives Contaminated Equipment  

Figure 4-21b: Specifics - Typical Process Flow Diagram
for Hot Gas Decontamination of Explosives Contaminated Equipment

The process involves raising the temperature of the contaminated equipment or material to 260 °C (500 °F) for a specified period of time. The gas effluent from the material is treated in an afterburner system to destroy all volatilized contaminants. The method eliminates a waste that currently is stockpiled and requires disposal as a hazardous material. This method will permit reuse or disposal of scrap as nonhazardous material.

Hot gas decontamination can also be used for decontamination of explosives-contaminated masonry or metallic structures. The method involves sealing and insulating the structures, heating with hot gas stream to 260 °C (500 °F) for a prescribed period of time, volatilizing the explosive contaminants, and destroying them in an afterburner. Operating conditions are site-specific. Contaminants are completely destroyed.

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Synonyms:

NA

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Applicability:

The method is applicable for process equipment requiring decontamination for reuse. It is also applicable for explosive items, such as mines and shells, being demilitarized (after removal of explosives) or scrap material contaminated with explosives.

The method can also be used for buildings or structures associated with ammunition plants, arsenals, and depots involved in the manufacture, processing, loading, and storage of pyrotechnics, explosives, and propellants.

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Limitations:

The following factors may limit the applicability and effectiveness of the process:
  • The costs of this method are higher than open burning.
  • Flash chamber design must take into consideration possible explosions from improperly demilitarized mines or shells.
  • The rate at which equipment or material can be decontaminated is slower than that for open burning.

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Data Needs:

A detailed discussion of these data elements is provided in Subsection 2.2.1 (Data Requirements for Soil, Sediment, and Sludge). Specific data required to evaluate the potential use of hot gas decontamination include:
  • Types of explosives present.
  • Weight of the explosives present.

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Performance Data:

Items decontaminated for 6 hours at a minimum temperature of 260 °C(500 °F) were found to be safe for public release as scrap. TNT destruction rates of 99.99% can be achieved.

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Cost:

The cost of the decontamination will vary with the application, depending upon the size and geometry of the equipment or material to be decontaminated and the temperature and holding time required for the decontamination. No specific cost analysis has been completed.

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References:

Maumee Research and Engineering, April 1986. Design Support for a Hot Gas Decontamination System for Explosives-Contaminated Buildings.

McNeill, W., et al., October 1987. Pilot Plant Testing of Hot Gas Building Decontamination Process - Final Report, USATHAMA Report AMXTH-TE-CR-87130.

Tennessee Valley Authority Environmental Research Center, 1995. Demonstration Results of Hot Gas Decontamination for Explosives at Hawthorne Army Depot, Volumes I - IV, prepared for USAEC under Contract No. TV-N87179V, AEC Report No. SFIM-AEC-CR-95031.

TVA, 1995. Hot Gas Decontamination of Explosives Contaminated Items, Process and Facility Conceptual Design, AEC Report No. SFIM-AEC-ET-CR-94118.

USAEC, 1995. Demonstration Results of Hot Gas Decontamination for Explosives at Hawthorne Army Depot, Technical Report SFIM-AEC-ET-CR-95031.

USAEC, 1995. Field Demonstration of Hot Gas Decontamination System, Technical Report SFIM-AEC-ET-CR-95011.

USAEC, 1995. Hot Gas Decontamination of Explosives-Contaminated Items, Process and Facility Conceptual Design, Technical Report SFIM-AEC-ET-CR-94118.

USAEC, 1997. "Transportable Hot Gas Decontamination" in Innovative Technology Demonstration, Evaluation and Transfer Activities, FY 96 Annual Report, Report No. SFIM-AEC-ET-CR-97013, pp. 115-117.

USATHAMA, July 1990. Pilot Test of Hot Gas Decontamination of Explosives-Contaminated Equipment at Hawthorne Army Ammunition Plant (HWAAP), Hawthorne, NV, Final Technical Report, USATHAMA Report CETHA-TE-CR-90036.

Woodland, L.R., et al., August 1987. Pilot Testing of Caustic Spray/Hot Gas Building Decontamination Process, USATHAMA Report AMHTH-TE-CR-87112.

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Site Information:

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Points of Contact:

General FRTR Agency Contacts

Technology Specific Web Sites:

Government Web Sites

Non Government Web Sites

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Vendor Information:

A list of vendors offering Ex Situ Thermal Soil Treatment is available from EPA REACH IT which combines information from three established EPA databases, the Vendor Information System for Innovative Treatment Technologies (VISITT), the Vendor Field Analytical and Characterization Technologies System (Vendor FACTS), and the Innovative Treatment Technologies (ITT), to give users access to comprehensive information about treatment and characterization technologies and their applications.

Government Disclaimer

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Health and Safety:

To be added

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