Disposal of Askarel Transformer

Askeral esters are a relatively new product are you sure it is filled with Askeral and not something interesting like PCB? (Poly Chlorinated Bi-phenols)

BAB

Hi..BAB

Thanks for your comment.

I have inspected that Transformer and found in the name plate that Askarel WT 1020 kg & year 1978. This is 1000 kva 11/0.4 kv Pauwels made Transformer. According to our client, this Transformer to be retired and transport out of saudi arabia for safe destruction at a suitable specialized facility which is licensed for that purpose.

Jobinjosin

As has been hinted in other submittals, Askarel IS a PCB containing product. Here in the US it is a real pain to dispose of this stuff. Big fines for keeping it too long in onsite temporary storage areas. EPA likes to levy big fines for infractions.

Elimination

The Basel and Stockholm conventions controls the transport (movement) and disposal of the Hazardous Wastes, they were adopted in 1989 in response to widespread concern about the dumping of hazardous wastes in developing countries by companies of developed countries.

The notification and procedures of the Basel Convention requires that any transboundary movement of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal is only permitted when the movement itself and the ultimate disposal are environmentally sound.

International conventions, Legislation

UN General Assembly, in its resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 1972, officially established United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as the central UN node for global environmental cooperation and treaty making.

Many countries have taken enforcement actions for illegal PCB disposal but unfortunately, the major known accidents in the world are from illegal disposal of PCBs contaminated products.

But as today Dioxin and PCB monitoring programs for food and feedstuff in most countries of the world, including many European countries are currently inadequate.

OCDE nations are now bringing under control the vast majority of PCBs still in use, this will help prevent further contamination of our air, water, and food supplies from a toxic and very persistent manufactured chemical. The OCDE nations have implemented database on the stocks, controlled the waste disposal of PCBs and their destruction under environmentally acceptable conditions.

Transport

For shipment and transportation of PCBs and PCB containing equipment in general, a number of requirements apply, including labeling and packaging according to the United Nations committee on the transport of dangerous goods.

Disposal of PCBs

Treatment and disposal methods divide into those which seek to destroy the PCBs, and those which place it in a depository for long term storage, landfilling should be regarded as a method for PCBs contaminated waste where very dilute or slightly contaminated material is involved.

High temperature incineration is a well-established and proven technology for the destruction of PCBs.

It shall be noted that disposal cost for PCBs wastes are high, in Europe Concentrated waste such as transformers come to the range of USD 2000-300 per tonne, these charges do not include transportation to the disposal site.

Before taking any decision of replacement we shall keep in mind that storages of PCB wastes is a necessary element of the management of PCBs wastes but is not a long term option and a solution and place shall be found for their treatment in line with the international regulations.

Thank you very much for your valuable guidance.

jobinjosin

When it comes to PCB disposal the first thing to do is to check the past experience and performance of people offering to do the work.

The second thing to do is to get quotes from a few different sources that sound reasonable.

There is a huge variation in expertise and price.

The funny thing is that often the price is not an indication of the quality of the work.

The following email address is for a guy here in Australia who is something of an expert with PCB disposal.

gawaste@iinet.net.au

He does a lot of disposal work for Australian government authorities which require compliance with international and local legislation/conventions.

I have no pecuniary interest in recommending him, but I have found him helpful and reliable in the past.

BAB.

Dear BAB..

Thank you very much for your continuing support regarding my subject. Since our project location in saudi arabia, we prefer the agency near to middle east. If you can help me.....I hope....

Regards

Jobinjosin