DETOXSM -- An innovative mixed waste treatment method

Delphi Research, Inc. has developed and tested a catalyzed wet oxidation process, DETOXSM, which is capable of oxidizing a broad range of organic compounds and concentrating heavy metals and radionuclides. The process utilizes iron (Fe3+) as a primary catalyst, and ruthenium (Ru3+) and platinum (Pt4+) as the cocatalysts in an acid medium. Extensive laboratory testing and bench-scale testing has been performed to establish the destruction efficiency and cation solubilities in the DETOXSM solution. Organic constituents tested have included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), trichloroethylene, Hydrocount trademark, Ready Value trademark, paper, polyethylene, wood, n-butyl acetate, picric acid, pentachloropyridine, tetrachlorothiophene, and poly(vinyl) chloride. Solubility studies on the selected cations have been performed and include chromium, lead, mercury, barium, beryllium, cadmium, nickel, vanadium, and arsenic. Cerium and neodymium were used as surrogates to represent the chemical and physical properties of uranium and plutonium respectively. A summary of results obtained in these studies are presented and observations noted regarding the limitations and/or unusual solubility characteristics of potential metal contaminants. An overview of on-going development and engineering work being performed for the US Department of Energy (DOE-METC), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and EG and G Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) is presented