AN OVERVIEW OF SOLVENT-EXTRACTION TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

In the course of evaluating potential technologies for treatment of contaminated soils at a regulated site in the upper Midwest, solvent extraction technology was reviewd and appeared to be a viable alternative to incineration and land disposal. Because of stringent federal and state land disposal rules, liability issues, and rising disposal costs, technologies that will treat and detoxify hazardous wastes effectively are preferred over other less aggressive technologies. Industry is actively seeking and evaluating options, and the regulatory community is encouraging development and application of new treatment technologies as alternatives to land disposal. To advance this effort, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program to promote the development of innovative technologies and to demonstrate such technologies at Superfund sites. Solvent extration technology is being evaluated in the SITE program. This paper was prepared because of the lack of a compiled source of existing information on the alternative use of solvent extraction technology for treating soils contaminated with hazardous substances in a manner other than incineration. Copyright © 1990 American Institute of Chemical Engineers