Importance

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Abstract

A system and apparatus therefor for the removal and destruction of harmful toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from a fluid, such as electrical transformer oil. The contaminated fluid is pumped through heating equipment to raise its temperature to a predetermined level prior to it being fed into a mixing chamber. An injector mechanism feeds a predetermined quantity of a reagent, such as an elemental sodium dispersion, into the mixing chamber where a power-driven impeller thoroughly mixes the two fluids. This mixture is fed into a reaction zone, preferably consisting of a plurality of closely nested back-and-forth tubes of a predetermined length and cross-sectional area wherein a chemical reaction occurs between the PCB-fluid and reagent forming harmless by-products which are insoluable in the now decontaminated fluid. The solid by-products are removed in a separator, such as a filtering medium or centrifuge, and any gases and water vapor are removed in a deep vacuum degasser. The trapped, harmless by-products then can be disposed of in a conventional, safe manner and the decontaminated fluid can be returned to its point of origin for reuse.

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First Claim