Impact of chlorinated paraffins in recovery/disposal process
Oil recovery
Oil recovery and secondary refining are rightly encouraged (EU
Directives such as 75/442/EEC and 87/101/EEC and in the USA via
RCRA waste minimisation) and oils containing chlorinated paraffins
do not present problems in these processes. Undesirable
by-products are not present in or formed from chlorinated paraffins
either in metal working operations or recovery.
In an attempt to prevent waste PCBs entering oil recovery
processes in Germany the government in the early 1990s modified the
"old oil law" in such a way that it also penalises users of
chlorinated paraffins (the limit to halogen content at <0.2% for
"old oil" purposes).
It is expected that the other EU Member States and federal USA
will continue to encourage the full and proper re-use of waste oils
which include the highly cost-effective CPs. Euro Chlor supports
this.
Incineration
Studies of combustion of chlorinated paraffins mixed with either
waste solids or as liquids have shown that in full-scale industrial
installations it is entirely possible to operate without forming or
emitting any dioxins. Excessively high operating temperatures are
not required. In fact in vapour phase studies dioxins were not
detected above 700 °C.
A major product of combustion is hydrogen chloride and
incineration facilities are designed so that condensation does not
occur on metallic surfaces that may otherwise corrode.
Large modern incineration facilities are often fitted with acid
scrubbing facilities which remove HCl. Where scrubbing is not
available the incinerator gaseous effluent may be limited to its
allowable halogen and other gas contents.
CPs containing waste oils are used in energy generation (cement
kilns, direct power etc). In this case, for calorific value
purposes and minimisation of HCl formation, it is suggested that
the chlorine content of the waste oil be limited to c. 1%.
Landfill
Chlorinated paraffins are not normally disposed of to landfills
as liquids, nor are liquids containing chlorinated paraffins put in
landfills.
Solid wastes containing chlorinated paraffins C10-13
should be treated as hazardous waste in a landfill context in view
of their toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Solid wastes containing chlorinated paraffins C14-17,
C18-20 or C20-30 may be disposed of by
landfill. The chlorinated paraffin is firmly bound to solids and
cannot escape into groundwater at a level above its solubility
limit. These CPs are of significantly lower toxicity to aquatic
organisms at or below their solubility limit.
Last update: 09/2011
