Details of Demonstration Project funded by US Department of Energy
The AJT process originated as a possible method to clean up the Charleston Naval Base that was closed in 1996. At that time the individuals that now make up AJT Enterprises, Inc. developed the concept in conjunction with help from Clemson University. The Navy chose not to pursue the immediate cleanup of the facility. AJT Enterprises, Inc. was formed to commercialize the process.In 1996, Clemson University, AJT Enterprises, Inc. and the Albany Research Center (ALRC) of the U.S. Department of Energy secured a grant of $500,000.00 for a Phase I demonstration project from the Department of Energy (DOE). The effort and guidance of the staff of Senator Fritz Hollings was instrumental in getting this grant. This award was based on the submission of an unsolicited proposal submitted to the DOE by Clemson University and AJT Enterprises, Inc. on January 26, 1996. The proposal was entitled "Vitrification of Contaminated Soil (From The Charleston Naval Complex) Demonstration and Performance".
This Process was successfully demonstrated in the electric arc furnace facility at ALRC. The objectives of ALRC were to conclusively show that this vitrification methodology is fully capable of separating metal, halogen and organic constituents from variable matrices, resulting in a benign glass product. The goals were: (1) reduction in volume of the waste materials, (2) production of an environmentally safe and benign glass product composed of roughly 80% of furnace charge, (3) separation of heavy metals from the glass product, (4) acquisition of engineering data to allow projection of costs in a full scale process, (5) real-time analysis of furnace exhaust gases, and (6) characterization of products of the process.
Materials Processed - An effort was made to find the most highly contaminated, or unique, matrices available at the Charleston Naval Complex and surrounding geographical area. Department of Defense (DoD) testing at the Complex indicated the following two Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) waste streams to be appropriate:
- SWMU 5; lead acid battery operations neutralization pit, and
- SWMU 25; Building 44, the old electroplating operation. They each presented remediation challenges. SWMU 5 had significant concentrations of lead and other contaminants in a matrix of rock, coke and soil. The Building 44 sample, containing high chromium levels, consists solely of a cement block matrix.Ashley River dredge spoils from a local Charleston marina comprised the third waste stream. Available data from ALRC indicates the spoils contain low levels of Cr, Pb and Zn; at 90, 30, and 100 ppm respectively.
Independent Review - The Demonstration was monitored by the DOE Principal Investigator, representatives of the DOE Principal Investigator, and the Peer Review Committee. The vitrified product was subjected to leaching and toxicology tests to fully assess the safety of the product to the environment. The physical property and toxicology tests were conducted by Clemson University or its subcontractors.
The Demonstration Project was successful in every respect.
Listing of members of the Peer Review Committee.
For further information about the process or about the opportunities in partnering with AJT Enterprises, Inc. contact:
AJT Enterprises, Inc.
2419 Santee River Road
St. Stephen, South Carolina 29479(843) 567-4633; (843)567-4833 Fax
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