Solving the global decommissioning challenge with asbestos waste

The TCCT unit consists of a modular system including a waste preparation area, primary waste convertor, emission control system, control system and a product handling system. The waste preparation system conditions the waste for introduction into the primary waste converter. In the converter, the waste is subjected to conditions that result in complete destruction of asbestos fibres in a very short period of time. Asbestos is made from minerals of the serpentine and amphibole groups and are hydrated silicates which naturally decompose at between ~500ºC and ~800ºC. However, this reaction is slow even at much higher temperatures making the minerals difficult to destroy. The ARI process introduces a non-hazardous fluxing agent to asbestos. This flux accelerates the decomposition reaction and results in the complete and irreversible transformation of all asbestos minerals into common volcanic-type minerals like olivine, wollastonite and diopside. The reactions take place without significant melting of the material. The high operating temperatures and chemical reactions also destroy all organic compounds and immobilise metals and radionuclides. The emission control system assures that the system complies with all regulatory standards and offers superior protection of the public and the environment. Once the asbestos is destroyed in the primary converter, the treated product is continuously discharged to temporary storage containers pending confirmatory analysis. ARI Global Technologies can build stationary or transportable units of varying capacity. A typical 50 tonne per day unit covers a footprint of only 60m by 45m. About the technology