Reactive waste

Strong acids and bases Reactive wastes Ignitable wastes... 

A reactive waste is one that readily explodes or undergoes violent reactions. Common examples are discarded munitions or explosives. In many cases, there is no reliable test method to evaluate a... 

Containers holding ignitable or reactive wastes must be at least 15 m (50 ft) away from the property line if this is not possible or practical, the plant manager representing the generator must store such containers in compliance with all applicable local ordinances and bylaws and... 

Namboodri, C.G. Walsh, W.K. Ultraviolet light/hydrogen peroxide system for decolorizing spent reactive waste water. Am. Dyest. Rep. 1996, 85, 15-25. 

In the production of ductile iron, calcium carbide is often used as a desulfurizing agent. When added to the iron, it reacts with the sulfides and forms calcium sulfide. This material floats on the surface of the molten iron, where it is skimmed off the surface and placed in a hopper. Since excess carbide is employed to ensure removal of the sulfur, the resulting slag contains high levels of unreactive carbide and must be handled as a reactive waste. 

Stolzenburg, T. R., et al. May 1985. "Analyses and Treatment of Reactive Waste A Case Study in the Ductile Iron Foundry Industry." Purdue Industrial Waste Conference Transactions. West Lafayette, Indiana. 

Recycling, reuse, diversion, destruction, or segregation of reactive wastes... 

Waste that is hazardous because it exhibits the toxicity characteristic also must be treated to remove this characteristic prior to disposal. Techniques to remove the toxicity characteristic include, for example, destruction of organic compounds by incineration or incorporation of the waste in an immobilizing waste form (e.g., grout). However, in contrast to ignitable, corrosive, or reactive waste, a properly treated toxic waste may still be considered hazardous in some cases, even if it is not characteristically hazardous after treatment and does not contain any listed substances. For example, a waste that is toxic because it contains high levels of heavy metals could be treated to reduce the leachability of the metals to acceptable levels by incorporation in an appropriate waste form, but the treated waste may still be considered hazardous when the toxic substances of concern are not destroyed by treatment and the possibility exists that their leachability from the waste form could increase substantially after disposal. 

Of the various ways of designating a solid waste as hazardous described above, only the toxicity characteristic is based on a quantitative assessment of potential risks resulting from waste disposal. The specifications of ignitable, corrosive, and reactive waste are based on qualitative considerations of risk, in that the presence of materials with these characteristics in a disposal facility clearly constitutes a hazard that could compromise the ability of the facility to protect public health. The specifications of listed hazardous wastes are based on risk in the sense that the listed substances have been identified as potentially hazardous to human health. However, requirements for treatment and disposal of listed waste discussed in Section 4.2.2 do not distinguish between different wastes based on considerations of risk from disposal. 

A material is considered to be a reactive hazardous waste if it is normally unstable, reacts violently with water, generates toxic gases when exposed to water or corrosive materials, or if it is capable of detonation or explosion when exposed to heat or a flame. Examples of reactive wastes would be waste gunpowder, sodium metal or wastes containing cyanides or sulfides [10]. 

Reactivity (waste code D003)-Wastes that are unstable and can readily undergo violent change. These wastes can react violently with water to generate toxic gases, vapors, or fumes. 

U.S. EPA Region 10, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and U.S. Army Environmental Center (AEC) have used these results for determining the characteristic hazardous waste status of explosives contaminated soil as a reactive waste under RCRA. The basis for the RCRA characteristic hazardous waste status is the assumed explosive reactivity of the soils if subjected to a strong initiating force or if heated under confinement (40 CFR 261.23). These results apply to explosives such as TNT, HMX, DNT, TNB, and DNB, and do not apply to initiating compounds, such as lead azide, lead styphenate, or mercury fulminate. 

RCRA, 40CFR261.30 hazardous codes, A B C D E and F, which represent corrosive waste (A) toxicity characteristic waste (B) acute hazardous waste (C) ignitable waste (D) reactive waste (E) and toxic waste (F) respectively A B C D E F... 

Reactive wastes, other than cyanide and sulfide wastes, must be treated and rendered nonreactive before packaging. 

Reactivity (40 CFR 261.23)—A reactive waste is a waste that (1) is normally unstable and readily undergoes violent change without detonating (2) reacts violently with water (3) forms potentially explosive mixtures with water, (4) when mixed with water or, when it is a cyanide- or sulfide-bearing waste that, when exposed to pH conditions between 2.0 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases, vapors, or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health... 

Working with shredded refuse, Pohland (1989) demonstrated that the readily accessible and reactive waste components are more effectively and predictably converted and removed under the influence of leachate recycle than with single-pass leaching, while Buivid et al (1981) showed leachate recycle to be most effective after addition of anaerobic sludge and calcium carbonate. Barlaz et al (1987 and 1989) concluded that leachate recycle without neutralisation stimulated the formation of acid products, but that neutralisation of the leachate decreased acid production and enhanced gas production. These laboratory studies... 

Reactive wastes that can explode or release toxic vapors, gases, or fumes at standard temperature or pressure... 

Procedures for disposal of highly toxic materials should be established before experiments begin, preferably before the chemicals are ordered. The procedures should address methods for decontamination of aU laboratory equipment that contacts (or could contact) highly toxic chemicals. Waste should be accumulated in clearly labeled, impervious containers that are stored in unbreakable secondary containers. Volatile or reactive waste should always be covered to minimize release to the hood environment in which it is being handled. 

Reactive wastes are unstable under normal conditions. They can cause explosions, toxic fiunes, gases, or vapors when heated, compressed, or mixed with water. Examples are lithium sulfiu batteries and explosives. 

The remainder of wastes consists of reactive wastes corrosive wastes toxic wastes ignitable wastes and P wastes (discarded commercial chemical products, off-specification species, containers, and spill residues), U wastes, and unspecified types. 

The transport of hazardous wastes is largely a function of their physical properties, the physical properties of their surrounding matrix, the physical conditions to which they are subjected, and chemical factors. Highly volatile wastes are obviously more likely to be transported through the atmosphere and more soluble ones to be carried by water. Wastes will move farther and faster in porous, sandy formations than in denser soils. Volatile wastes are more mobile under hot, windy conditions and soluble ones during periods of heavy rainfall. Wastes that are more chemically and biochemically reactive will not move so far as less reactive wastes before breaking down. 

As defined in Section 15.6, many hazardous wastes are corrosive to materials, usually because of extremes of pH or because of dissolved salt content Oxidant wastes can canse combustible substances to bum uncontrollably. Highly reactive wastes can explode, cansing damage to materials and structures. Contamination by wastes, such as by toxic pestiddes in grain, can result in substances becoming unfit for use. 

Examples of reactive or potentially reactive waste include ... 

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