Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran formation and emission in the thermal desorption waste treatment process

It is extremely unlikely that significant amounts of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) or polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) will be emitted in the off-gas stream from the thermal desorption process, or the treated waste, particularly if the baseline design and anticipated operating conditions of the enhanced bench-scale (EBS) system are used. However, because of the acute toxicity of these compounds and because most of the data on their formation have been extrapolated from studies more related to incineration and fire conditions than thermal desorption, specific laboratory tests and specific EBS runs should be performed to monitor the rate of emission of PCDDs and PCDFs under thermal desorption conditions. In general, the following four conditions need to exist for significant amounts of PCDD or PCDF to be formed: (1) the presence of fly ash; (2) the presence of an oxidizing source; (3) a suitable temperature, and (4) the presence of a suitable precursor. Although the EBS system provides some of these conditions, it is unlikely that enough fly ash will be produced in the system to allow a significant amount of PCDD or PCDF formation. Additionally, particulate matter controls will be used to remove airborne particulates from the gas phase. If PCDD/Fs are presented in a waste stream being evaluated in the EBS, they will likely volatilize in the kiln and subsequently condense in the venturi scrubber system