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Microwave Remediation of Hazardous Waste: A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Steven J. Oda  and
P. Eng
Steven J. Oda
Affiliation:
Consultant, 36 Eleventh Street, Toronto, Canada M8V 3G3
P. Eng
Affiliation:
Consultant, 36 Eleventh Street, Toronto, Canada M8V 3G3
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Abstract

Quantities of untreated hazardous wastes are growing at alarming rates. Intensive searches are underway to develop more effective and energy efficient solutions that can reduce or eliminate the impact of these wastes. One potential answer involves the use of microwave heating. Incorporated into process equipment, microwave heating can provide a number of important attributes that contribute to productivity improvement. These characteristics include: selective heating associated with the potential for recovery of value-added product; volumetric heating to improve processing time; the potential for remote operation to limit personnel exposure to hazardous waste; and, in situ application to reduce the risk of airborne contamination caused during material transfer. Successful applications appear in niche areas using microwave heating to provide an economic advantage over conventional surface heating techniques particularly in areas such as infectious waste, soil decontamination, solvent recovery and microwave ‘catalysis’. The perception of high cost and ‘fear-of-the-unknown’ remain obstacles preventing more widespread adoption of these technologies as in the case of other relatively new microwave applications. An understanding of the reasons for the success of existing commercial systems helps in targeting opportunities for future applications in hazardous waste treatment. This review illustrates these factors by highlighting examples of existing applications, new research and development initiatives and future opportunities.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 347: Symposium O – Microwave Processing of Materials IV , 1994 , 371
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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References

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