Appts. for detoxifying hazardous waste in situ - without atmospheric contamination by rapid procedure

摘要

Appts. for detoxifying a desired portion of hazardous toxic waste to a desired degree, the waste opt.contg. toxic organic dps. and water-soluble salts of toxic metals, includes (a) a confined space sealing communication with the portion and extending above it; (b) an agitator for the portion; (c) device for discharging pressurised steam into the agitated portion to transform toxic organic cpds. volatile at the temp. of the steam into toxic vapours; these vapours with free toxic gases that may be present in the portion flow upwards in the confined space; (d) pressurising device for withdrawing air, steam, toxic vapours and toxic gases from the confined space above the portion as a stream at a sufficiently rapid rate to maintain a negative pressure in the space to prevent toxic gases from leaking from the confined space to contaminate the atmosphere and the pressurising device; (e) appts. to free the pressurised stream of toxic components and steam; (f) device to discharge the stream into the agitated desired portion; (g) sensor to indicate the identy and quantity of toxic components in the portion; (h) device for discharging an oxidising agent agent into the portion when sensor (g) indicates organic cpds. producing a disagreeable odour, or water-soluble salts of toxic metals are present so that other organic cpds. are formed and the salts become water-insoluble; and (i) device for discharging a dewatering agent into the portion when sensor (g) indicates that it has been sufficiently detoxified. The agent transforms the portion to a hard water-impermeable mass after agitation has been terminated; and the toxic cpds. remaining in the mass cannot be leached out.