TRANSFER PLASMAS DESTROY PCB FLUIDS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
High voltage, ac transfer arcs were used as a reaction zone to destroy polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved in transformer fluid. The extremely high temperature of the arc is of sufficient magnitude that it destroys both the PCB's and the oil in which the PCB's are dissolved. Although fast pyrolysis is the major destructive mechanism, several other features of the process are unique. For example, the transfer arc discharge is submerged. The arc is created beneath the surface of the transformer oil at a water interface. Furthermore, the water phase is part of the electrical circuit; but it also participates in the reaction chemistry of the plasma arc. Water vapor created by the discharge reacts with the carbon and acetylene formed by pyrolysis to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This retards carbon buildup within the system. The presence of the water phase also provides a convenient adsorption medium for acid gases (HC1) which are formed by pyrolysis of the PCB's, These gases are infinitely more soluble in the water phase than they are in the transformer oil through which they would have to pass to escape the submerged reaction zone. As a result, this new technology provides a convenient small-scale destruction for oils contaminated with PCB

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: