Evaluation of the TCE catalytic oxidation unit at Wurtsmith Air Force Base

Wurtsmith Air Force Base is the site of an air‐stripping‐with‐emissions‐control system to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chiefly trichloroethylene (TCE), from groundwater. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a fluidized‐bed catalytic oxidation unit for destroying halogenated organics with respect to catalyst bed temperature and operating time. The objectives included identification of any products of incomplete combustion formed and determination of the utility costs for the unit. Samples were collected over a period of ∼ 19 months with volatile organic sampling trains according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 30. Samples were taken at catalyst bed temperatures of 315, 370, 425, and 480°C. The results indicate that the incinerator was destroying the TCE with <97% efficiency when operated at ≥370°C. A conservative cost estimate for utilities was determined to be $0.36/1000 gal of water treated.