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 Technology (SET™) is a treatment process that destroys the hazardous components in waste, including radioactve mixed waste, leaving the resultant material free for reuse or non-hazardous disposal. It is one of several unique, patented technologies developed and commercialized by Commodore Applied Technologies, Inc., and implemented by Commodore Advanced Sciences, Inc., an environmental firm with over 20 years of experience providing total solutions for the management of hazardous and radioactive mixed wastes.

THE SET™ PROCESS

SET™ is based on a scientific phenomenon first observed by Sir Humphrey Davy early in the 19th century-alkali metals dissolved in ammonia create a solvated electron solution. As solvated (free) electrons are formed in the solution, they bond with the ions of contaminated materials to neutralize the hazardous constituents. Using the power of solvated electron solutions, Commodore's scientists developed the unique SET™ process to destroy the hazardous wastes and detoxify contaminated materials.

In application, contaminated materials are placed into a treatment cell and mixed with the solvated electron solution. In the case of PCBs or other halogenated contaminants, chemical reactions strip the halogen ions from the carbon ring. Other types of contaminants such as benzene or PAHs are also destroyed. At the end of the reaction, ammonia within the treatment cell is removed and recycled. As the solids are dried, the reaction products produced in the process precipitate into the solid matrix.

	SET™ is unsurpassed in the destruction or neutralization of the halogenated materials that rank among the world's most persistent toxic pollutants.
Unlike other technologies, it destroys the contaminants and preserves the valuable soil, oil, and other materials that can be reused or disposed as non-hazardous waste.

EPA PERMITS

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a nationwide TSCA treatment permit for SET™ for mobile PCB chemical destruction in soils, metals, oils, organics and debris. Recognized by EPA as a non-thermal process equivalent to incineration, SET™ is believed to be the only multi-matrix PCB chemical destruction process approved for nationwide operation.

BENEFITS OF SET™

Organic contaminants are destroyed, not just removed or concentrated - there can be no recombination.
Operates as a closed system - produces no hazardous secondary wastes or off-gases.
Permits are easily obtained for site operations.
Operates at ambient temperatures.
Transports and sets up quickly in less than 4000 sq. ft of space.
Can be scaled to accommodate the size of the project.
Requires minimal amounts of power, water, and other outside support.
Handles heterogeneous waste streams from liquids to solids.

SET™ APPLICATIONS

SET™ has proven effective against contaminants that include:

Halogenated Organic
Compounds
PCBs and Pesticides
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chemical Warfare Agents
High Energy Explosives

Dioxins and Furans
Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6)
Chlorinated Solvents
RCRA Organic
Compounds

SET™ provides flexibility to handle heterogeneous wastes and works effectively on virtually any matrix including, but not limited to:

Soils
Sediments & sludges
Oil wastes

Metals
Surfaces
Organics

Concrete
Non-Aqueous Liquids
"Pure" Organic Matrices

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

The commercial abilities of SET™ have been demonstrated to EPA, DOE, DOD and private sector clients in commercial operations as well as
numerous studies.

Treated over 300 tons of PCB-contaminated soils excavated from an oil-spill site at the Pennsylvania Air National Guard base, located at the Harrisburg International Airport, utilizing the full-scale S-10 system to reduce PCB levels to <1ppm. During the treatment process, Commodore successfully performed an EPA demonstration of the commercial system.
Currently treating 20,500 lbs. of mixed radioactive and hazardous solvent wastes for a contract with American Ecology Recycle Center, Inc. (AERC), at facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The SL-2 SET system is treating hazardous residues generated during the cleanup of radioactively contaminated tools, equipment, and other metallic materials.
Currently working on a contract with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for the destruction of 12,000 lbs. of low-level contaminated sodium. Commodore's SET process is being used to treat bulk sodium, converting it to inactive sodium chloride (NaCl). Trace amounts of radioactive material, such as Na22, are also being converted to a salt in the SET process, and the residue can then be land disposed as low-level radioactive waste.

Treated 10,000 pounds of mixed wastes, everything from sorbent materials to shredded capacitors, at DOE Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project removing RCRA and TSCA* regulated materials leaving low-level radioactive wastes acceptable for on-site disposal.
For a Fortune 500 company, treated drummed waste containing PCB and radioactively contaminated wastes (soils, oils and hardware). Removal of the RCRA contaminants allowed the wastes to be disposed as low level radioactive wastes.
Performed on-site treatment on the highly ferric volcanic soils of Hawaii for the US Navy Pacific Division demonstrating the ability of SET™ to reduce PCBs to <1ppm.