NCD980602163_20011004_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_MSR Pilot Plant Test-OCR

October 4, 2001
Midwest Soil Remediation, Inc.
Attn: Mr. Mike Fetherling
1480 Sheldon Drive
Elgin, IL 60120
SUBJECT: Warren County PCB Landfill Pilot Test Results
Dear Mike;
TD*X Associates, LLC
P.O. Box 13216
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
ph [phone]
FAX [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
On August 7, 2001, TD*X conducted a pilot test on a soil sample from the Warren County PCB Landfill
(WCLF). This test was conducted in a continuous indirect heated pilot plant with a condensation style gas
treatment system at the Midwest Soil Remediation (MSR) Elgin, IL facility. The pilot plant closely models
the MSR High Capacity Indirect (HCI) TDU, with the exception that the gas outlet section for the full scale
HCI TDU provides for a more efficient separation and likely better performance. The test was conducted
under the MSR PCB R&D approval. This letter report summarizes the test results.
The feed sample consisted of six buckets of soil from the landfill. The sample was collected by NCDENR
in about 1997 by coring the landfill. Prior data had characterized these samples as having up to 330 to 880
ppm PCBs. TD*X blended all six buckets and screened out the > 1/4" size non-friable particles. Visual
inspection indicated virtually all of the sample was minus 2", and that less than 5% by volume was greater
than 1/4". It is not known what segregation of oversize occured in the field during the original sample
collection. The feed soil was sandy, with pockets of cohesive clay that were easily distributed into the sand.
Some small gravel was present. The color was dark brown. Some roots were present, but not a significant
fraction. Also, a very small amount of broken glass was present. There was no free liquid, but some of the
buckets of soil were more wet than the others. The soil was fairly dry, and should not present a problem for
feeding with the HCI TDU feed system as currently configured. Also, over the course of the testing, the soil
dried further and was even easier to feed.
During the test, a little more than five buckets of soil were fed to the pilot TDU, totaling 115 .6 kg of feed.
Four operating conditions for the dryer were used, resulting in four different soil treatment temperatures.
Treated soil samples were taken at each operating condition. A free oil phase collected on the surface of the
scrubber phase separator, however there was insufficient volume to collect this material separately; an
estimated 10 to 20 ml was floating on the phase-sep. This organic condensate was black in color, lighter than
water, and had the appearance of used motor oil. The aqueous condensate had a characteristic yellow color,
a neutral pH, and was visibly clear after simple filtration with a filter paper.
The analytical sample results for the pilot test are summarized in the attached Table. The feed soil was
contaminated at 89 ppm PCBs; lower than the anticipated site wide average of about 300 ppm PCBs, and
much lower than the maximum of2,000 ppm PCBs. However, there was sufficient PCB contamination to
make for a moderate challenge of the HCI TDU process. The treated soil samples had 15 to 1.5 ppm PCBs
Mike Fetherling
Warren County PCB Landfill Pilot Test Results
October 4, 2001
Page 2
over the treatment temperature range of 700 to 1,085°F. The aqueous condensate had 0.23 ppm PCBs.
The treated soil did not pass the site treatment standard of 0.2 ppm PCBs at any of the four temperatures.
However, this is not considered an indication that the full scale unit will necessarily have performance
difficulty. During the pilot testing, the carrier gas outlet temperature from the dryer was consistently less
than 300°F. This is not the case for the full scale equipment, where the gas outlet temperature is normally
much greater than 600°F. TD*X considers this difference to mean that better performance can be expected
for the full scale unit. This expectation is based on a similar performance difference between pilot and full
scale results from work performed by TD*X staff on the Sangamo-Pickens Superfund site soils in 1992 and
1995, respectively. The Sangamo site pilot testing, performed under similar conditions as the WCLF pilot
test, yielded residual contaminant levels of about 1 ppm, whereas full scale operations routinely yielded less
than 0.2 ppm PCBs.
Our major conclusions from the pilot testing are:
average PCB and total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbon (TRPH) levels in the sample were lower
than the reported site wide averages, which would mean lower organic condensate production rate
and PCB content if they hold for the full scale operations,
PCB removal was demonstrated, but more efficient separation and possible operation at soil
treatment temperature at or above 1,000°F may be required for full scale operations, and
the condensation system operated normally, indicating that both recovered organic condensate and
aqueous condensate should be typical of prior successful operations.
Sincerely,
Carl R. Palmer, P.E.
Director, Thermal Process Group
cp\CRP\1026
C:\Docs\ TechRpts\0 1-006. WCLFPilotTestLetterReport. wpd
cc: Carl Swanstrom -MSR
Gary Duke -IT Corporation
Mike Fetherling Warren County PCB Landfill Pilot Test Results Parameter Feed Prehm October 4, 2001 Page 3 WCLF Pilot Testing Analytical Results, 8/7/01 Feed #1 Feed #2 Prod #1 Prod #2 700°F 811°F Prod #3 l,017°F 311-51-34 311-55-19 311-54-30 311-54-21 311-54-21 311-54-21 Total Solids, % 93.7 89.6 TRPH mg/kg (dwb) 828 PCBs mg/kg 45.4 89.3 15.1 15.7 1.71 Total Solids Method EPA 160.3 TRPH Total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons, Method EPA 418.1 (dry weight basis results) PCBs Method SW846-8082 _,,.. ... Prod #4 Cond 1,085°F 311-54-21 311-55-25 1.65 0.234
10/04/2081 89:53 919-388-71:387
® -·-
October 4, 200 l
Mi<lwe31 Soil Remediation, Inc.
Attn: Mr. Mike Fetherling
1480 Sheldon Drive
Elgin, IL 60120
C Ft::LMER
SUBJECT: Warren County PCB Landfill Pilot Test Results
Dear Mike;
PAGE 02
TD•X Associ1tes, LLC
P.O. 8-0x 132l6
Research Triangle Park. NC 27709
ph (9 l 9) 468-1266
FAX [phone]
E-mai I: T dxpalmerrg;aol.ct:m
On August 7, 2001, TD*X conducted a pilot test on a soil sa□ple f:-om the Warren County PCB Land.fill
(WCLF;-. This test was conducted in a continuous indirect heated pilot plant with a condensation style gas
treatment system at the Midwest Soil Remediation (\1SR) Elgin. IL facility. The pilot plant closely modeis
the MSR High Capacity Indirect (HCI) TDU, with the exception that the g3s outlet section for the full scale
HCI TDU provides for a more efficient separation and likely better performm1ce. The tesr was conduct~d
under the MSR PCB R&D approval. This lener report summarizes the test results.
The feed sample consisted of six buckets of soil from the landfill. The sample was collected :,y NCD ENR
in about 1997 by coring the landfill. Prior data had charack rized these samples as having up to 330 ro 880
ppm PCBs. TD*X blended all six buckets and screened out the > 1/4" size non-:friabie particles. Visual
inspection indicated vi;-tUal)y all of the sample was minus 2", and that less than 5% by vclun1e was greater
than L-'4''. It is not known what segregation of oversize occured in the field during tlle original sample
collection. The feed soil was sandy, with pockets of cohesive clay that were easily distributed into the sand.
Some small gravel was present. The color was dark brown. Some roots were present, but not a significant
fraction. Also, a very small amount of broken glass was present. There was no free liquid. but some of tb.e
buckets of soil were more wet than the others. The soil was fairly dry, and snould not present a prubiem for
feeding with the HCI TDU feed system as currently configured. Also, over the counc of:he testing, th~ soil
dried further and was even easier to feed.
During the test, a: little more than five bucket5 of soil were fed to the pilot TDU, totaling 115 .6 kg or" feed.
Four operating conditions for the dryer were used, resulting in four different soil treatment temper~tu:-es.
T:-eated soil samples were taken at each operating condition. A free oil phase coll ected on the surface of the
scrubber phase separator, however there was insuff:cient volume to collect this material separately; an
estimated 10 to 20 ml was floating on the phase-sep. This organic condensate was black in color, lighter tha.T1
water, and had the appearance of used motor oil. The aqueous condensate j .:,d a characteristic yellov,,. color.
.1 neutral pH. and wa:; visibly clear after simpie filt:-ation with a filter paper.
The aru:.lyticai sample results for th!! pilot test are summarized ir. the actach~d Table. The feed soil was
contaminated at 89 ppm PCBs; low,;::-than th : ;mticipated site wide average of about 300 ppm PCBs. and
:nuch lower than the ma--<imum of 2.000 ppm PCBs. Howewr, there was sufficient PCB contarninatior: to
ma.!.;:~ for a moderate challenge of ,he HCJ TDC process . Tne 1reared 5oil samplt::~ hac. 15 to 1.5 ppm PCBs
10/04/2001 09:53 919-388-7087
Mike Fetherling
Warran County PCB Landfill Pilot Test Results
C PALMER PAGE 83
October 4, 2001
PagE: 2
over the treatment temperature range of 700 to 1,085'F. The aqueous condensate bad 0.23 ppm PCBs.
The treated soil did not pass the site treatment standard of ,).2 ppm PCBs at any of the four temE'eratun:s.
However, L1!is is not considered ;m indication that ~he full scale unit will necessarily have performance
ciifficuity. During the pilot testing, the carrier gas outlet temperature from the dryer was consistently less
than 300°F. This is not the case for the full scale equipmer.t, where the gas outlet temperature is normally
much greater thlll 600°F. TD•X considers this difference to mean that better performance can be expected
for the fall scale unit. This expectation is based on a similar perfonnance difference between pilot and foll
scale results from work performed by TD*X staff on the Sangamo-Pickens Superfund site soils in 1992 and
1995, respectively. Tne Sangamo site pilot testing, performed under similar conditions as the WCLF pilot
test, yielded residual contaminant levels of about i ppm, whereas full scale operations routinely yielded less
than 0.2 ppm PCBs.
Our major conclusions from the pilot testing are:
average PCB and total recoverable petroieum hydrocarbon (TRPH) levels in the sample were lower
than the reported site wide averages, which would :-i:ean lower organic condensate production rate
and PCB coment if they held for the full scale operations.
PCB :-emoval was demonstrated, but more efficient separation and possible operation at s,)il
treatment temperature at o, above l,000°F may be required for full scale opera:ions, and
the condensation system operated normally, indicating that bot.."li recovered organic condensate and
aqueous condensate should be typical of prior successful operations.
\\\\lllll!J// ,,, ,,,
.. ,,"0 -<Y.. CAl~o, ,,,,,. , ... ~, ....... ....:~t,. ,.., $' 0 ..-.. ~ss,,;.,,~ ~ ..
Sincerely, g ·r~~ 0-t,A 1 -~ l". -
4 ,r') r-·y..., : SEAL l : -~~ 0 26 7 8 7 : ~ ... I -
Carl R. Palmer, P.E. \_ C'\.fNGfN~\~•~~ ./ ' .. , ~ ~ ...... 11.-v .. Director, Thennal Process Group '~,~;lrL R .. pta.,\.~,,,'
,,,,,,,,;,,n1''\'
cp\CRP\ l 026
C:\Docsi Tech Rpt,\u 1-(>06. WCLF Pilot TesiletterRcpon. wpd
cc: Carl Swanstrom -MSR
Gary Duke -IT Corporation
Mike Fetherling Warren County PCB Landfill Pilot fest Results October 4, 2001 Page 3 WCLF Pilot Testing Analytical Rcsulls, 8/7/0 I ---" Parameter Feed Feed #I Feed #2 Prod #I Prod 1/2 Prelim 'l00°F 811°F Prod #3 1,017°F 311-51-34 311-55-19 311-54-30 311-54-21 311-54-21 311-54-21 Total Solids, % 93.7 lN.6 TRPfl mg/kg ( <lwb) 828 -.. , PCBs mg/kg 45.4 89.3 15.l 15.7 1.71 Total Solids Method EPA 16(U TR!>H Total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons, Method EPA 418.1 (dry weight basis results) PCBs Method SW846-8082 !' Prod /14 Cond l,085°f 311-54-21 311-55-25 1.65 0.234 1--' O:SJ C) -~ ', h) GJ l".°:J 1--' (SI lD U1 w lD 1--' lD I w m CD I --J (SI m -✓ 0 'Tl I> r ~ fT1 ;u l'J I> G) fT1 (S) .µ