Evaluation of Alternative Treatment Technologies for CERCLA Soils and Debris (Summary of Phase 1 and Phase 2)

摘要

The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a synthetic soil matrix was prepared as a theoretical composite of Superfund soils nationwide. In the second phase, soils from actual Superfund sites were treated. Three treatment technologies were evaluated in both phases: (1) chemical treatment (KPEG), (2) physical treatment (soils washing), and (3) low-temperature thermal desorption. The Phase I study also included the evaluation of incineration and stabilization. Comparison of results obtained in the treatment of Superfund soils and the synthetic soils reveals that the trend in contaminant removals was similar for both types of soils. The percentage removal, however, was higher for synthetic soils than for actual Superfund soils. This can be attributed to the fact that the synthetic soils were spiked and tested without allowing much time for sorption of the contaminant onto the soils. In contrast, the actual Superfund soils had weathered for long periods of time before treatment was attempted; therefore, contaminant removal was shown to be more difficult on the actual soils.