Destruction of polychlorinated biphenyl and utilization of waste heat in integrated steel plant

Abstract

Hazardous waste management has become a matter of international priority. Use of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) as dielectric fluids in transformers and capacitors has been banned owing to its toxic hazards. Further, at 300-800°C, it can produce even more toxic compounds (polychlorinated dibezodioxins and dibenzofurans). Nonexistence of any viable disposal technology has resulted in huge stockpiles of PCB contaminated oil at various Indian industries. This paper reports destruction technology trial to destroy PCB by incineration in rotary kiln. This field trial was successful in destroying PCB and utilizing generated heat energy for dolomite and limestone calcination. This hazardous waste was destructively utilized as fuel supplement during controlled incineration limiting stack emission within stipulated norms.