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US5019175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds in a contaminated medium
Assignee: Environmental Protection Agency
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Filing: 1989-05-11
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2009-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium comprises adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to the contaminated medium in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium. An alkali metal hydroxide is then added in an amount of from about 2 to about 20 weight percent, based on the weight of the contaminated medium. The medium is then heated to substantially dehydrate the medium and then further heated at a temperature between about 100° and 350° C. to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds. An acid is then added to the medium in an amount sufficient to neutralize the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J. Rogers
- 👤 Alfred Kornel
- 👤 Harold L. Sparks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:12
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62D; A62D3/00; A62D3/30; A62D3/36; A62D2101/00; A62D2101/20; A62D2101/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/902; Y10S210/908; Y10S210/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to a contaminated medium containing halogenated organic compounds, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (b) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 20 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water from the medium; (d) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 250° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (e) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to a contaminated medium containing halogenated organic compounds, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (b) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 20 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water from the medium; (d) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 250° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (e) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of from about 120 to 1,000 Daltons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol is added in an amount to provide from about 1 to about 5 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is added in an amount of from about 2 to about 12 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the acid which is added to the medium to provide a pH of from 7 to about 9 is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid and nitric acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the contaminated medium comprises soil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the contaminated medium comprises sludge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the contaminated medium comprises sediment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the contaminated medium includes an absorbent comprising spent activated carbon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the contaminated medium comprises a liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the contaminated medium contains up to 100,000 ppm of halogenated organic compounds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the medium which results from the acid addition step is returned to its original environment.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) providing a contaminated medium comprising soil, sludge or sediment and containing at least one halogenated organic compound contaminant therein; (b) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to the contaminated medium, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 12 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (d) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water in the medium; (e) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 250° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (f) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) providing a contaminated medium comprising soil, sludge or sediment and containing at least one halogenated organic compound contaminant therein; (b) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to the contaminated medium, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 12 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (d) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water in the medium; (e) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 250° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (f) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to a contaminated medium containing halogenated organic compounds, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (b) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 20 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water from the medium; (d) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 330° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (e) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to a contaminated medium containing halogenated organic compounds, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (b) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 20 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water from the medium; (d) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 330° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (e) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) providing a contaminated medium comprising soil, sludge or sediment and containing at least one halogenated organic compound contaminant therein; (b) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to the contaminated medium, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 12 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (d) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water in the medium; (e) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 330° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (f) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium, comprising (a) providing a contaminated medium comprising soil, sludge or sediment and containing at least one halogenated organic compound contaminant therein; (b) adding an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to the contaminated medium, the aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol being added in an amount to provide from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent polyethylene glycol, based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (c) adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an amount of from about 2 to about 12 weight percent based on the weight of the contaminated medium; (d) heating the contaminated medium at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove at least 75 weight percent of the water in the medium; (e) further heating the medium at a temperature between about 330° C. and 350° C. for a time sufficient to effect destruction of the halogenated organic compounds; and (f) adding an acid to the medium in an amount sufficient to provide the medium with a pH of from about 7 to about 9.
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