Extraction of PCBs from Transformer Oil and Its Dechlorination Using Visible Light
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 5
Abstract
An investigation into an extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from transformer oil (TO) using different solvents and its dechlorination with visible light was conducted. The extraction experiments showed that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was the preferable solvent for extraction of PCBs from TO, with an average of 88.79% recovery. Multicycle extractions using DMSO led to 87.93, 11.22, and 0.77% PCBs recovery during the first, second, and third cycles, respectively. Optimization studies indicated that for TO with low concentrations of PCBs, a 5-min shaking time, and a DMSO to TO ratio of is optimal. For higher concentrations of PCBs in TO, the optimum conditions were 30 min of shaking time with a DMSO to TO ratio of . Furthermore, water aids in the extraction. PCBs were effectively dechlorinated using visible light in conjunction with sodium borohydride, , as a reducing agent. The presence of DMSO did not seem to interfere with the dechlorination.
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Acknowledgments
The writers gratefully acknowledge financial support from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the University of Calgary.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 5 • May 2013
Pages: 627 - 632
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 16, 2011
Accepted: Sep 21, 2012
Published online: Sep 23, 2012
Published in print: May 1, 2013
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