Removal of PCBs from PCB polluted sludge using the vacuum thermal recycling process

To tender PCB-polluted waste non-toxic, the attached and impregnated PCBs must be removed. For such impregnated materials, the Vacuum Thermal Recycling (VTR) method is demonstrated to be effective. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for PCB polluted sludge, a PCB-containing water -resistant compound for duct line, was used. This sample was clayey and of high viscosity, and therefore separation of PCBs were expected to be a Herculean task. After VTR the sludge sample was dry and porous. The amount of residual PCBs in the sludge sample was reduced from 3,600 mg/kg to 0.01 mg/kg or below. The elution value was reduced from 0.40 mg/l to below the detection limit of 0.0005 mg/l.