Thermal Properties and Biodegradability Studies of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)

For investigating the relationship between thermal properties and biodegradability of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), several films of PHBV containing different polyhydroxyvalerate (HV) fractions were subjected to degradation in different conditions for up to 49 days. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), specimen weight loss and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to characterize the thermal properties and enzymatic biodegradability of PHBV. The experimental results suggest that the degradation rates of PHBV films increase with decreasing crystallinity; the degradability of PHBV occurring from the surface is very significant under enzymatic hydrolysis; the crystallinity of PHBV decreased with the increase of HV fraction in PHBV; and no decrease in molecular weight was observed in the partially-degraded polymer.     

Field Testing and Computer Modeling of an Oxygen Combustion System at the EPA Mobile Incinerator

The LINDE® Oxygen Combustion System has been demonstrated successfully at the EPA Denney Farm site as part of the modified EPA mobile incinerator. This paper describes the field testing results and computer modeling of the LINDE system. The oxygen system enables the EPA unit to incinerate dioxin and PCB contaminated soil at a consistent rate of 4000 lb/h—200 percent of the original maximum capacity. The pure oxygen combustion system improved the thermal efficiency of the incinerator by over 60 percent and reduced the flue gas volume dramatically. Therefore, the dust carryover problem was mitigated. The destruction and removal efficiencies of hazardous wastes exceeded EPA requirements.

The design of the proprietary burner allows the use of up to 100 percent oxygen in place of air for incineration with improvements over conventional oxy-fuel burners. As a result, the temperature distributions in the rotary kiln are uniform and NO_x emissions are low.

The oxygen combustion system, controlled by a programmable controller, provided much better response and flexibility than conventional air based systems. The system generated a stable flame and responsed well to the transient conditions of the rotary kiln. Kiln puff occurrence was virtually eliminated in the operation of the mobile incinerator.

A computer model of the incinerator was developed and used for the process design of the LINDE system. The model predicted the test results reasonably well. This model can be a useful tool in the design and operation of rotary kiln incineration systems.