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Impact of chlorinated paraffins in recovery/disposal process

Oil recovery

Oil recovery and secondary refining are rightly encouraged (EEC 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 C_10-13 should be treated as hazardous waste in a landfill context in view of their toxicity to aquatic organisms.

Solid wastes containing chlorinated paraffins C_14-17, C_18-20 or C_20-30 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.