US5245113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decontamination of PCB contaminated solids
Assignee: Dynecology Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-23
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Granted: 1993-09-14
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Expires: 2011-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removal of PCBs or similar refractory organic substances from solid surfaces, such as soil or hardware, e.g., capacitors and transformers containing a charge or residue of PCB or similar fluids. Such toxic substances are volatilized from substrates contaminated therewith by contacting them with carrier gas, such as a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and steam. The carrier gas and volatilized components are introduced into a partial oxidation zone of a gas generator where PCBs are completely destroyed at a temperature range of 2800° F. to 3500° F.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut W. Schulz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:07
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62D; A62D3/00; A62D3/30; A62D3/38; B; B09; B09C; B09C1/00; B09C1/06; F; F23; F23G; F23G5/00; F23G5/02; F23G5/027; F23G7/00; F23G7/14; A62D2101/00; A62D2101/20; A62D2101/22; F23G2201/00; F23G2201/50; F23G2206/00; F23G2206/20; F23G2206/201; F23G2900/00; F23G2900/54001; F23G2900/70; F23G2900/7011; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A process for decontamination of sealed electrical hardware capacitors and transformers containing absorbed or absorbed polychlorinated biphenyls which comprises: a) opening said polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated hardware to the atmosphere; b) loading said polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated hardware into a furnace; c) contacting said contaminated hardware in said furnace with a stream of carrier reducing gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range of 750° to 950° F. effecting vaporization of absorbed and adsorbed polychlorinated biphenyls therefrom; d) passing said reducing gas stream containing vaporized polychlorinated biphenyls into a partial oxidation reaction zone maintained at a temperature in the range of 2500° to 3500° F. at the point of entry of said stream; e) simultaneously destroying said polychlorinated biphenyls and generating a reducing gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide in said reaction zone by partial oxidation of a carbonaceous fuel with oxygen and steam at an autogenous temperature in the range of 2500° to 3500° F.; and f) supplying reducing gas from said reaction zone to said furnace as a source of said carrier gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A process for decontamination of sealed electrical hardware capacitors and transformers containing absorbed or absorbed polychlorinated biphenyls which comprises: a) opening said polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated hardware to the atmosphere; b) loading said polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated hardware into a furnace; c) contacting said contaminated hardware in said furnace with a stream of carrier reducing gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range of 750° to 950° F. effecting vaporization of absorbed and adsorbed polychlorinated biphenyls therefrom; d) passing said reducing gas stream containing vaporized polychlorinated biphenyls into a partial oxidation reaction zone maintained at a temperature in the range of 2500° to 3500° F. at the point of entry of said stream; e) simultaneously destroying said polychlorinated biphenyls and generating a reducing gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide in said reaction zone by partial oxidation of a carbonaceous fuel with oxygen and steam at an autogenous temperature in the range of 2500° to 3500° F.; and f) supplying reducing gas from said reaction zone to said furnace as a source of said carrier gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction zone is in the hearth zone of a solid fuel gasifier wherein solid fuel is reacted with oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction zone is an unpacked reactor wherein carbonaceous fuel is converted to reducing gas by partial oxidation with oxygen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-13 | 1997-03-15 | 1997-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-13 | 2001-03-15 | 2001-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-13 | 2005-03-15 | 2005-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |