Field evaluation of hazardous waste pretreatment as an air pollution control technique.

Three commonly practiced commercial treatment processes were investigated for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from hazardous waste: thin-film evaporation, steam stripping, and fractional distillation. The data collected included limitations of the treatment technology, the VOC removal effectiveness, the characteristics of residuals, and cost information. Three thin-film evaporators were evaluated, each treating different types of wastes. There was a large variation in the amount of highly volatile compounds removed by the technique, depending upon the boiling temperature of the waste stream. Four waste streams were treated in a batch-steam stripper. Over 90% VOC removal was obtained in all four cases. Two aqueous/organic waste streams were treated using fractional distillation and over 90% VOC removal was obtained in both cases.