THERMODYNAMIC TOOLS FOR OPTIMISATION OF THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE DECOMPOSITION OF PCB IN THERMAL PLASMA

Abstract

Methodology using the thermodynamic equilibrium composition calculation to optimise the high-temperature organic waste treatment in thermal plasma was developed. The methodology was demonstrated in the case of high-temperature treatment of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) in a thermal plasma reactor using two different working media, air and water vapour. Calculated results obtained in this analysis show composition of combustible and harmful chemical species formed in the PCB oil decomposition process. Optimisation of the composition of the combustibles can suggest the most economical parameters of the process. Toxic substances emissions are one of the limiting factors in the process of optimization. This analysis can be considered as the first step towards defining optimal operating parameters of the pilot-plasma facility for waste treatment from the ecological and economical aspects.