Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T17:47:34.756Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Microwave Remediation of Hazardous Waste: A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Steven J. Oda  and
P. Eng
Steven J. Oda
Affiliation:
Consultant, 36 Eleventh Street, Toronto, Canada M8V 3G3
P. Eng
Affiliation:
Consultant, 36 Eleventh Street, Toronto, Canada M8V 3G3
Get access

Abstract

Quantities of untreated hazardous wastes are growing at alarming rates. Intensive searches are underway to develop more effective and energy efficient solutions that can reduce or eliminate the impact of these wastes. One potential answer involves the use of microwave heating. Incorporated into process equipment, microwave heating can provide a number of important attributes that contribute to productivity improvement. These characteristics include: selective heating associated with the potential for recovery of value-added product; volumetric heating to improve processing time; the potential for remote operation to limit personnel exposure to hazardous waste; and, in situ application to reduce the risk of airborne contamination caused during material transfer. Successful applications appear in niche areas using microwave heating to provide an economic advantage over conventional surface heating techniques particularly in areas such as infectious waste, soil decontamination, solvent recovery and microwave ‘catalysis’. The perception of high cost and ‘fear-of-the-unknown’ remain obstacles preventing more widespread adoption of these technologies as in the case of other relatively new microwave applications. An understanding of the reasons for the success of existing commercial systems helps in targeting opportunities for future applications in hazardous waste treatment. This review illustrates these factors by highlighting examples of existing applications, new research and development initiatives and future opportunities.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 347: Symposium O – Microwave Processing of Materials IV , 1994 , 371
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Oda, S. J., “Dielectric Processing of Hazardous Materials - Present and Future Opportunities”, in Microwave Processing of Materials III, edited by Beatty, R.L., Sutton, W.H. and Iskander, M.F. (MRS Proc. 269, San Francisco, 1992).Google Scholar
2. Pugh, D.R., Voss, W.A.G. and Abdollal, K., “Microwave and Radiofrequency Heating Technologies for Hazardous Waste Treatment”, Can. Elec. Assoc. Report CEA 9001 U 755, July 1992.Google Scholar
3. Oda, S.J., “Let's Wave that Waste Away”, Electroflash (Bulletin of the Canadian Committee on Electrotechnologies), 7 (2), (1993).Google Scholar
4. Schmidt, P.S., “Potential Impact of Electrotechnologies on Industrial Pollution Control”, presented at the ECOWORLD '92 Conference, Washington, D.C., (1992).Google Scholar
5. Saoud, A., “Environmental Benefits from RF Post-Baking Drying”, Union Internationale d'électrothermie, Int. Conf. Microwave & High Frequency, Comité Français de'électricité, Nice, France, (1991).Google Scholar
6. Allen, P. L. and Ford, L.H., “The Developing Technology of Microwave Vitrification”, Nuclear Energy, 21 (3), (1982).Google Scholar
7. Bridges, J. E. and Sresty, G.C., “Radwaste Resin Volume Reduction and Stabilization via RF/Microwave Heating”, Trans. Am. Nue. Soc., 56, (1988).Google Scholar
8. Genthner, H., Best, A., and Lins, W., “Solidification of Low Level Salt Solutions with Microwaves”, Waste Management '88: Waste Processing, Storage and Disposal, 1, (1988).Google Scholar
9. Komatsu, F. et al, “Application of Microwave Treatment for Radioactive Wastes”, Waste Management, 10, (1990).Google Scholar
10. Shibata, C. and Tamai, H., “An Improved Microwave Melting Furnace for Radioactive Wastes”, J. Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy, 25 (2), (1990).Google Scholar
11. Kurkumeli, A.A., Molokhov, M.N., Sadkovskaya, O.D., “Microwave Heating for Vitrification of Radioactive Wastes”, Union Internationale d'Electro thermie Inter. Conf. Microwave & High Frequency, Nice, France, 1991.Google Scholar
12. Schulz, R.L., Folz, D.C., Clark, D.E., Hutcheon, R.M., and Wicks, G.G., “Application of Microwave Energy for Waste Remediation”, Int. Microwave Power Inst. 28th Symposium Proc, Montreal, Que., July 1993.Google Scholar
13. Oda, S.J., Balbaa, I.S. and Barber, B.T., “The Development of New Microwave Heating Applications at Ontario Hydro Research Division”, in Microwave Processing of Materials II, edited by Snyder, W.B., Sutton, W.H., Iskander, M.F. and Johnson, D.L., (Mater. Res. Soc. Proc. 189, San Francisco, 1990).Google Scholar
14. Erskine, P. U. and Jones, P.L., “Radio Frequency Dewatering of Filter Cake”, Union Internationale d'électrothermie Inter. Conf. Microwave & High Frequency, Nice, France, 1991.Google Scholar
15. U.I.E. Dielectric Heating for Industrial Processes, Union d'Internationale de l'Electrothermie publication, pp 146–149, Paris, France (1992).Google Scholar
16. Krause, T. R. and Helt, J.E., “Applications of Microwave Radiation in Environmental Remediation Technologies”, in Microwave Theory and Application in Materials Processing II, edited by Clark, D.E., Laia, J.R., and Tinga, W.R. (Am. Cer. Soc. Proc. 36, Cincinnati, OH, April 1993).Google Scholar
17. Aubert, B., Boen, R. and Naud, G., “Ash Melting by Microwaves Using Monomodal Waveguides”, Proc. Int. Microwave Power Inst. 28th Symposium, Montreal, Que., July 1993.Google Scholar
18. Davidovitz, J., Schmitt, R.E. and Friehnelt, V., “Microwave Processing of Geopolymer-Cement Based Waste Forms”, in Microwave Theory and Application in Materials Processin II, edited by Clark, D.E., Laia, J.R., and Tinga, W.R. (Am. Cer. Soc. Proc, Cincinnati, OH, April 1993).Google Scholar
19. Chen, Y., Susbee, M. and Roy, D.M., “Microwave Sintering of Fly Ash”, presented at the 1993 ACS Annual Meeting, Cincinatti, OH, 1993 (unpublished).Google Scholar
20. Sharp, J. “Radio Frequency Processing of Infectious Waste at a Regional Commercial Treatment & Recycling Facility”, Int. Microwave Power Inst. 26th Symposium Proc, Buffalo, NY, (1991).Google Scholar
21. George, C. and Fan, J., “Thermal Desorption of Pentachlorophenol-Contaminated Soil & Sludge Using Microwave Energy”, Proc. Int. Microwave Power Inst. 28th Symposium, Montreal, Que., July 1993.Google Scholar
22. Pearce, J., University of Texas (Austin) - Center for Energy Studies, private communication, March 1994.Google Scholar
23. Haque, K.E., MacDonald, R.J.C., Oda, S.J. and Balbaa, I.S., “Microwave Reactivation of Carbon”, Proc. Can. Min. Processors Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, (1993).Google Scholar
24. Oda, S.J., “An Overview of Microwave Applications Research in Canada”, in Microwaves: Theory and Application in Materials Processing, edited by Clark, D.E., Gac, F.D. and Sutton, W.R. (Am Cer. Soc. Proc 21, Cincinatti, OH, 1991).Google Scholar
25. Weissenberger, A.P. and Schmidt, P.S., “Microwave-Enhanced Regeneration of Adsorbents”, presented at the 1994 MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA, (1994).Google Scholar
26. Woodmansee, D.E. and Carroll, J.J., “In Place Regeneration of Adsorbents Using Microwaves”, U.S. Patent No. 5 227 598 (13 July 1993).Google Scholar
27. Kotsch, H., “Desorption of Noxious Material-Loaded Adsorbent by Radiative Heating, Especially with Microwaves”, U.S. Patent No. 4 737 610 (12 April 1988).Google Scholar
28. Mitu, K.K. (Mitsubishi Chem. Ind.), “Active Carbon Production…with Microwaves”, Japanese Patent No. 83033167 (18 July 1983).Google Scholar
29. Wan, J.K.S., “High-Power Pulsed Microwave Catalytic Processes: Decomposition of Methane”, J. Microwave Power, 25 (1), (1990).Google Scholar
30. Wan, J.K.S., “The Principles of 3R (Reduction, Reuse, Recycling) in Microwave Catalytic Treatments of Chemical Waste”, presented at the 1994 MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA, (1994).Google Scholar
31. Cha, C., “Reduction of NOx Using Char Irradiated by Microwaves”, Proc. Int. Microwave Power Inst. 28th Symposium, Montreal, Que., July (1993).Google Scholar
32. Peterson, E.R. and Buenger, C.W., “NOx Reduction on Char Using Microwaves”, presented at the 1994 MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA, (1994).Google Scholar
33. Cha, C.Y., Vaillancourt, M.B. and Kim, S.S., “Electromagnetic Technique for SO2 and NOx Removal from Coal Combustor Product Gas”, Proc. Am. Chem. Soc. (Symp. Mechanisms & Chemistry of Pollutant Formation and Control From Internal Combustion Engines), Washington, D.C., (1992).Google Scholar