FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Treatment of Mixed Wastes 

Treatment of Chemical Weapons

Treatment of PCBs, Dioxins and Furans

Treatment of Explosives 

Treatment of Chlorofluorocarbon Refrigerants and Halons

Solvated Electron Chemistry 
A Versatile Alternative for Waste Detoxification 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Patents Held

1. Question: What is Solvated Electron Technology?

Solvated Electron Technology (SET™) is a proprietary, patented chemical process developed by Commodore for the destruction or neutralization of hazardous materials. The effectiveness of the SET™ process is based on the properties of the solvated electron. Sir Humphrey Davy first observed the solvated electron early in the 19th century. He observed the reaction of ammonia with alkali metals and produced the now classic "solvated electron blue solution." The blue solution contains highly reactive "free" electrons that attack organic molecular bonds of many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, essentially acting as "molecule busters" ripping the bonds apart. 

Through an extensive research and development effort, Commodore developed SET™ as a commercially viable technology that can be used to destroy some of the world's worst environmental hazards. Using SET™ units - composed of a series of processing and reactor equipment - Commodore scientists have demonstrated the technology's unsurpassed method of destroying hazardous and highly regulated toxic materials at a number of sites. SET™ effectively treats and destroys PCBs, CFCs, pesticides, dioxins, furans, chlorinated solvents, fungicides, herbicides, chemical weapons and high-energy explosives. Further, SET™ processes depleted uranium hexafluoride (UF6) and the hazardous material from many mixed radioactive and hazardous waste combinations. Whether found in soils, oils, sludge, sediments, metals, concrete, liquids or other media, SET™ can safely destroy the halogenated compounds without producing residual waste products. 

2. Question: What are the advantages of SET™?

SET™ has several advantages:

  • SET™ is a non-thermal technology and operates at ambient temperatures. SET™ is a safe alternative to traditional incineration methods that operate at very hot temperatures and require complex filtration systems.

  • SET™ is a closed system. It produces no hazardous secondary wastes or off-gases. All residual wastes can be disposed of in regulated landfills or simply be returned to the environment.

  • Halogenated compounds are destroyed, not just removed or concentrated. Commodore has reached the highest level of expertise and competence in using the solvated electron technology to render hazardous waste non-toxic.

  • SET™ is transportable. Unlike incinerator units that require waste to be shipped to a fixed facility, SET™ units can be transported to the waste site, reducing the risks and costs of transporting hazardous waste.

  • SET™ is scalable and can accommodate the size of the project. Commodore's units can be efficiently and effectively scaled to treat any amount of waste, no matter how large or small.

  • Unlike traditional remediation systems, SET™ requires minimal amounts of power, water and other outside resources. 

  • SET™ is capable of treating heterogeneous waste streams composed of a mixture of liquids and solids.

3. Questions: What chemicals are used in the SET™ process?

Anhydrous (no water) ammonia and sodium metal are mixed to form the solvated electrons - "free" electrons in a solution. The ammonia dissolves the sodium forming the blue solution. Although they are not the only ingredients that can be used to produce the solvated electron, they are the most readily available and economical. 

4. Question: What are the effluents or residual waste products that result from the SET™ process?

The primary effluents of the SET™ process are non-hazardous inorganic sodium salts and hydrocarbons. Verified by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the halogenated organic (containing fluorine, iodine or chlorine) materials found in hazardous wastes do not survive the treatment process. Depending on the original waste agent, the residual waste products from the process can be disposed in a regulated landfill, returned to the environment, or event reused in another process. 

5. Question: Does Commodore have safety standards for handling ammonia and sodium during the SET™ process?

Safety comes first at Commodore. Although ammonia and sodium can be found in nature and in a number of commercial products, special care must be taken when using them in their purest form. Commodore's administrative safeguards and personnel training compose an extensive safety program and proven record for the safe operation of SET™. Commodore's safety procedures have been reflected over the years. At no time during the research and development phase nor during Commodore's commercial operations has there been any safety incident involving the handling and use of sodium and ammonia.