Decontamination of solids prior to destruction of contaminants
Thermal Desorber
Contaminated solids such as plant items (Transformers, switches etc.), capacitors and soils are decontaminated in a number of ways depending on contaminant concentration and matrix. A variety of methods including drainage, flushing and solvent washing are employed. Thermal Desorption is used in conjunction with these processes. Contaminated solids therefore are not treated directly by the BCD or PLASCON® processes.
Thermal Desorption
Thermal Desorption is a process used at BCD Technologies specifically to remove PCBs from solid materials such as capacitors, drums, absorbent, spent activated carbon or soil.
The temperature in the Thermal Desorber vessel is increased in excess of the boiling point of the highest chlorinated PCB congener encountered in commercial aroclors. PCBs are distilled from the contaminated materials at these elevated temperatures and are swept from the desorber to a re-circulating heat exchange system by the flow of argon gas. Samples of the contents are then taken and analysed to ensure complete decontamination prior to discharge and recycling.