This proposal addresses a vital need in toxic wastes management, which is the stabilization of sludges holding organic pollutants. Such sludges require stabilization for compliance to regulatory guidelines for final disposal in a landfill. For this purpose, present technology is not suitable because hydraulic fixatives commonly employed for toxic wastes stabilization are incompatible with organic Pollutants. It is preferable to eliminate sludges holding organic Pollutants by incineration and other means rather than stabilize them for final disposal. But elimination entails processes that are not employable in every case. Logistical conditions may make them expensive to carry out. Admixed with water, organic pollutants are not cost-effective candidates for combustion. And halogenated and metaled organic compounds are technically difficult to combust and may yield toxic residues. In this investigation, the following approach to stabilization of sludges containing organic pollutants will occur. First, the sludge will be solidified and formed into particles. Next, the resulting particles will be embedded in thermosetting polybutadiene resin yielding agglomerates, and finally the agglomerates will be encapsulated in high-density polyethylene. The process yields modules of wastes, each 48 gallons in volume, consisting of a core of agglomerated contaminants in high concentration, encapsulated by 1/4 inch polyethylene resin. Modules fabricate readily and cost-effectively. The benefits are that contaminants are rendered safely managable by conventional bulk product ques, compacted for cost-effective transport and final disposal, stabilized to withstand delocalization stresses in a landfill and readily retrievable if that option became necessary or desirable. A laboratory demonstration will be carried out in Phase I to show feasibility of the technical approach to manage organic pollutants. With successful demonstration on a bench-wale, a pilot plant study will be proposed in Phase II to obtain data for producing full-scale modules holding organic pollutants. In this respect, a prototype apparatus fabricated under Department of Energy (DOE) sponsorship for managing low-level radioactive wastes is employable, and it would be made available by DOE for pilot plant studies of organic pollutants management.The investigators' process is significant in view of forthcoming Federal and state regulations regarding organic waste stabilization and solidification for final disposal in the earth. Organic waste sludges that camot be destroyed must be stabilized effectively prior to their disposa1. With completion of Phase I and II, the process will stabilize sludge and other intractable toxic wastes. One of its important features is management of many waste types without need for process adjustments. The process will secure residues from operations such as incineration, toxic waste concentration, and contaminant isolation as well as of sludges holding organic pollutants.
