Apparatus for removing PCB's from electrical apparatus

Claim 1

An apparatus for removing contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls from transformers and from a dielectric fluid/solvent contained therein comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state sufficient to substantially fill the transformer to an operable level, the polychlorinated biphenyls being soluble in said dielectric fluid/solvent, said dielectric fluid/solvent selected from the group consisting of: a. trichlorotrifluoroethane; b. perchloroethylene; c. perfluorocyclic ether; d. perfluorobicyclo-(2.2.1)heptane; e. perfluorotriethyl amine; f. monochloropentadecafluoroheptane; g. perfluordibutyl ether; h. perfluoro-heptane; i. mixtures of trichlorotrifluoroethane and perchloroethylene; (b) a distillation means receiving said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein; (c) means for maintaining the transformer substantially filled to its operational level with said dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state.

Claim 2

An apparatus for removing contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls from transformers and from a dielectric fluid/solvent contained therein comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state sufficient to substantially fill the transformer to an operable level, the polychlorinated biphenyls being soluble in said dielectric fluid/solvent, said dielectric fluid/solvent selected from the group consisting of: a. trichlorotrifluoroethane; b. perchloroethylene; c. perfluorocyclic ether; d. perfluorobicyclo-(2.2.1)heptane; e. perfluorotriethyl amine; f. monochloropentadecafluoroheptane; g. perfluordibutyl ether; h. perfluoro-heptane; i. mixtures of trichlorotrifluoroethane and perchloroethylene; (b) a distillation means receiving said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein; (c) means for maintaining the transformer substantially filled to its operational level with said dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state.

Claim 6

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus to an operational level and in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble; (b) means for elevating the temperature of the electrical apparatus above ambient but below the boiling point of said charge of said dielectric fluid; (c) an effluent conduit for conducting dielectric fluid having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means; (d) a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid; (e) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid in liquid state.

Claim 7

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus to an operational level and in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble; (b) means for elevating the temperature of the electrical apparatus above ambient but below the boiling point of said charge of said dielectric fluid; (c) an effluent conduit for conducting dielectric fluid having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means; (d) a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid; (e) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid in liquid state.

Claim 8

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus to a level providing adequate insulation therefore so that the electrical apparatus is operable; (b) an effluent conduit for conducting said dielectric fluid having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means; (c) a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with polychlorinated biphenyl free dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state.

Claim 9

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus to a level providing adequate insulation therefore so that the electrical apparatus is operable; (b) an effluent conduit for conducting said dielectric fluid having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means; (c) a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with polychlorinated biphenyl free dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state.

Claim 10

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble and in quantity sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus to an operational level; (b) an effluent conduit for conducting said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means; (c) a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid/solvent; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid/solvent; (e) cooling means for maintaining the temperature and pressure within the electrical apparatus within the design limits of the electrical apparatus.

Claim 11

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble and in quantity sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus to an operational level; (b) an effluent conduit for conducting said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means; (c) a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid/solvent; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid/solvent; (e) cooling means for maintaining the temperature and pressure within the electrical apparatus within the design limits of the electrical apparatus.

Claim 12

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of trichlorotrifluoroethane in liquid state as the dielectric fluid/solvent and in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble; (b) means for energizing the electrical apparatus; (c) an effluent conduit for conducting said dielectric fluid having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid/solvent; (e) means for maintaining the temperature and pressure within the electrical apparatus within the design limits of the electrical apparatus.

Claim 13

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of trichlorotrifluoroethane in liquid state as the dielectric fluid/solvent and in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble; (b) means for energizing the electrical apparatus; (c) an effluent conduit for conducting said dielectric fluid having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus to a distillation means for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid/solvent; (e) means for maintaining the temperature and pressure within the electrical apparatus within the design limits of the electrical apparatus.

Claim 14

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from an operable electrical apparatus comprising: (a) means for substantially filling electrical apparatus with a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble, said dielectric fluid/solvent providing adequate insulation to the electrical apparatus so that the electrical apparatus remains operable, said dielectric fluid/solvent having a boiling point substantially lower than the boiling point of polychlorinated biphenyls so that said dielectric fluid/solvent is separable from polychlorinated biphenyls by single stage distillation; (b) a drain conduit for removing said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus; (c) a distillation means in fluid communication with the electrical apparatus via said drain conduit for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid/solvent; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid/solvent.

Claim 15

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from an operable electrical apparatus comprising: (a) means for substantially filling electrical apparatus with a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble, said dielectric fluid/solvent providing adequate insulation to the electrical apparatus so that the electrical apparatus remains operable, said dielectric fluid/solvent having a boiling point substantially lower than the boiling point of polychlorinated biphenyls so that said dielectric fluid/solvent is separable from polychlorinated biphenyls by single stage distillation; (b) a drain conduit for removing said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus; (c) a distillation means in fluid communication with the electrical apparatus via said drain conduit for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from said dielectric fluid/solvent; (d) means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled with said dielectric fluid/solvent.

Claim 19

An apparatus for removing PCBs from electrical apparatus as recited in claims 6 or 7 wherein said dielectric fluid/solvent is one member of the following group: (a) trichlorotrifluoroethane; (b) perchloroethylene; (c) a mixture of trichlorotrifluoroethane and perchloroethylene.

Claim 20

An apparatus for removing PCBs from electrical apparatus as recited in claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein: said cleansing means is a single stage distillation unit.

Claim 21

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus, said dielectric fluid/solvent providing adequate insulation to the electrical apparatus so that the electrical apparatus remains operable, said dielectric fluid/solvent selected from the group consisting of trichlorotrifluoro-ethane, perchloroethylene, and a mixture of trichlorotrifluoro-ethane and perchloroethylene; (b) means for distilling said dielectric fluid/solvent receiving said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from said means for draining; (c) means for draining said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus; (d) means for maintaining the level of said dielectric fluid/solvent in the electrical apparatus such that the electrical apparatus remains substantially filled and operable.

Claim 22

An apparatus for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus comprising: (a) a charge of a dielectric fluid/solvent in liquid state in which polychlorinated biphenyls are soluble sufficient to substantially fill the electrical apparatus, said dielectric fluid/solvent providing adequate insulation to the electrical apparatus so that the electrical apparatus remains operable, said dielectric fluid/solvent selected from the group consisting of trichlorotrifluoro-ethane, perchloroethylene, and a mixture of trichlorotrifluoro-ethane and perchloroethylene; (b) means for distilling said dielectric fluid/solvent receiving said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from said means for draining; (c) means for draining said dielectric fluid/solvent having polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved therein from the electrical apparatus; (d) means for maintaining the level of said dielectric fluid/solvent in the electrical apparatus such that the electrical apparatus remains substantially filled and operable.

Claim 23

An apparatus as recited in any one of claims 1--4 wherein said transformer level maintaining means includes means for recirculating purified dielectric fluid/solvent from said distillation means to said transformer.

Claim 26

An apparatus as recited in any one of claims 5-12 and 15, wherein said means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled includes means for recirculating dielectric fluid/solvent substantially free of polychlorinated biphenyls from said distillation means to the electrical apparatus.

Claim 29

An apparatus as recited in any one of claims 1-4, wherein said distillation means is continuously operable to separate said drained dielectric fluid/solvent into substantially pure dielectric fluid/solvent vapor and a concentrated polychlorinated biphenyls bottom product, and said means for maintaining the transformer level includes means for continuously recirculating condensed dielectric fluid/solvent vapor from said distillation means to the transformer.

Claim 32

An apparatus as recited in any one of claims 5-12 and 15, wherein said distillation means is continuously operable to separate said drained dielectric fluid/solvent into substantially pure dielectric fluid/solvent vapor and a concentrated polychlorinated biphenyls bottom product, and said means for maintaining the electrical apparatus substantially filled includes means for continuously recirculating condensed dielectric fluid/solvent vapor from said distillation means to the electrical apparatus.

Claim 33

The apparatus of any one of claims 5-9, 11, 12 and 15, wherein said dielectric fluid/solvent comprises perchloroethylene.

Claim 34

The apparatus of anyone of claims 5-9, 11, 12, or 15 wherein said dielectric fluid/solvent comprises a mixture of perchloroethylene and trichlorotrifluoroethane.

Claim 35

An apparatus for decontaminating an electrical induction apparatus from polychlorinated biphenyls, comprising: a still adapted to receive a dielectric fluid having a boiling point substantially lower than that of polychlorinated biphenyls and contaminated therewith, said still being operable to produce a dielectric fluid vapor substantially free of said polychlorinated biphenyls and a polychlorinated biphenyl concentrate; conduit means for transferring said contaminated dielectric fluid from an electrical induction apparatus to said still; a condenser adapted to receive said dielectric fluid vapor from said still; and means for recirculating liquid dielectric fluid condensate from said condenser to said electrical induction apparatus in an amount sufficient to maintain the electrical induction apparatus in an operable condition.

Claim 36

An apparatus for decontaminating an electrical induction apparatus from polychlorinated biphenyls, comprising: a still adapted to receive a dielectric fluid having a boiling point substantially lower than that of polychlorinated biphenyls and contaminated therewith, said still being operable to produce a dielectric fluid vapor substantially free of said polychlorinated biphenyls and a polychlorinated biphenyl concentrate; conduit means for transferring said contaminated dielectric fluid from an electrical induction apparatus to said still; a condenser adapted to receive said dielectric fluid vapor from said still; and means for recirculating liquid dielectric fluid condensate from said condenser to said electrical induction apparatus in an amount sufficient to maintain the electrical induction apparatus in an operable condition.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claims 33 or 34, further comprising means responsive to the temperature of fluid in said still for actuating transfer of said polychlorinated biphenyl concentrate to said waste receptacle.

Claim 45

An apparatus for decontaminating an electrical apparatus, comprising: a transfer line for substantially continuously withdrawing dielectric liquid containing a contaminant selected from polychlorinated biphenyls and trichlorobenzene from an electrical apparatus, said contaminant being readily soluble in said dielectric and having a substantially higher boiling point in relation thereto; a distillation chamber operable to receive said contaminated dielectric and to boil said dielectric and thereby separate said contaminated dielectric into a vapor phase substantially free of said contaminant and a liquid phase in which said contaminant is concentrated; a control valve positioned in said transfer line for controlling transfer of said contaminated dielectric to said distillation chamber to maintain said liquid phase therein at an operable level, said control valve being responsive to said level; a waste receptacle for periodically receiving said liquid phase from said distillation chamber; means responsive to the temperature of said distillation chamber for transferring said distillation chamber liquid phase to said waste receptacle; a condenser for receiving and condensing said vapor phase from said distillation chamber to produce liquid dielectric substantially free of said contaminant; a condensate tank for receiving said liquid dielectric from said condenser; means for recirculating liquid dielectric from said condensate tank to said at a rate sufficient to maintain an operable level of liquid dielectric in said electrical apparatus; and a charge of said dielectric liquid in the electrical apparatus and the decontamination apparatus sufficient for substantially continuous operation of said electrical apparatus and said distillation chamber.

Claim 46

An apparatus for decontaminating an electrical apparatus, comprising: a transfer line for substantially continuously withdrawing dielectric liquid containing a contaminant selected from polychlorinated biphenyls and trichlorobenzene from an electrical apparatus, said contaminant being readily soluble in said dielectric and having a substantially higher boiling point in relation thereto; a distillation chamber operable to receive said contaminated dielectric and to boil said dielectric and thereby separate said contaminated dielectric into a vapor phase substantially free of said contaminant and a liquid phase in which said contaminant is concentrated; a control valve positioned in said transfer line for controlling transfer of said contaminated dielectric to said distillation chamber to maintain said liquid phase therein at an operable level, said control valve being responsive to said level; a waste receptacle for periodically receiving said liquid phase from said distillation chamber; means responsive to the temperature of said distillation chamber for transferring said distillation chamber liquid phase to said waste receptacle; a condenser for receiving and condensing said vapor phase from said distillation chamber to produce liquid dielectric substantially free of said contaminant; a condensate tank for receiving said liquid dielectric from said condenser; means for recirculating liquid dielectric from said condensate tank to said at a rate sufficient to maintain an operable level of liquid dielectric in said electrical apparatus; and a charge of said dielectric liquid in the electrical apparatus and the decontamination apparatus sufficient for substantially continuous operation of said electrical apparatus and said distillation chamber.