PCBs Training workshop in Alexandria February 24th – 27 th , 2014
PCBs Decontamination
PCBs
Reclassification
Solid hazardous material (PCBs contaminated) decontamination treatment process is defined as reclassification from hazardous to non-hazardous waste
Decontamination steps
Treatment technologies -Primary treatment & -Main treatment
Primary treatment Primary treatment work before decontamination as: -drain each appliance form their liquids -dismantle all porous materials and collect separately -paper -wood -porcelain insulating materials -dismantle and segregate the -steel parts -cooper wires -magnetic sheet -aluminum -stainless steel
Primary treatment Process of decontamination in two categories: 1st category porous materials as: -Wood; -Paper; -Plastics; -Stones; -Soil -Packing material (plastics, gloves, masks, papers..)
Primary treatment 2nd category non porous materials as: -steel parts -cooper wires -magnetic sheet -aluminum -stainless steel -porcelain insulation
non Porous PCBs parts reclassification PCBs Contaminated solid parts or Material, Metals or Soil, in order to be reclassified as nonhazardous waste, is required, •that the relevant local legislation sets targeted decontamination limits. •The targeted limits for the reclassification of porous solid PCBs material to non PCBs after cleaning should be: 50 ppm/Kg (current limit of Stockholm Convention)
•The targeted limits for reclassify non-porous solid
PCBs material after cleaning, to non PCBs should be as in USA & Europe valid limits: 10μg/100cm2
Techniques and technologies for decontamination The decontamination process of non porous PCBs contaminated materials, may consists of Washing and or Rinsing of the material with solvent setting the goal to clean it. The washing process may be; Automatic, semiautomatic or totally manually (hand wash operation). The washing solvent may be an organic solvent as kerosene, hexane or trichloroethylene.
After finishing the cleaning proceed the wipe test, must provide a concentration below 10Îźg/100cm2 and the facility or laboratory should issue a PCBs free certificate. After reclassification the equipment can be decommissioned as normal scrap metallic article.
Decontamination of the carcass and the coil of transformer
Integrated treatment; is a process treating the surface following sophisticated washing programs. -The machine stops if the process is finished. The solvent during washing is recovered and can be reused and recirculates in the unit. -Technically the process is called vacuum distillation washing with solvent recovery as trichloroethylene and especially in France called Autoclaves
Autoclaves decontamination unit in France
Decontamination of other porous materials Specific Pretreatment; before decontamination perform secondary pretreatment of the material. This treatment may be mechanical process as shredding, to maximize the specific surface of treated input materials, in order to improve cleaning efficiency
Wipe sample from a steel metallic surface
Wipe sample from non porous as steel metallic surface. -In order to prove a successful cleaning process of a non-porous metallic surface is necessary to take wipe sample, to prove the decontamination of the non porous metallic parts. After finishing the cleaning proceed the wipe test must gives a concentration below 10Îźg/100cm2 and the facility or laboratory should issue a PCBs free certificate. After reclassification the equipment can be decommissioned as normal scrap metallic article
Wipe sample Basic instructions for taking wipe sample: -Wear PPE -Use medical sterilized cotton -Dive cotton piece in hexane solvent (for GCMS analysis is recommended to use standard hexane). -Wipe a surface of 10X10cm2=100cm2. Wipe vertical and horizontal tree time all the surface. (use all sites of cotton) -Store the sample in glass box and carry to Lab for analysis In case of transformers or capacitors take a sample from the inside part of carcasses.
Wipe sample from metallic surface
Decontamination of transformers
Than you very much for your attention
Panos Ioakimidis ecoterra@otenet.gr ioakimidispan@gmail.com