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WHC-SD-W100-TI-003 Rev. 0<br />

Polyethylene (and other thermoplastics) can be used to encapsulate wastes, by<br />

using melt processes similar to those used for bitumens. The molten material<br />

is mixed with waste and allowed to cool, forming a solid plastic block.<br />

Encapsulation<br />

Macro-encapsulation is used to isolate large waste items from the surroundings<br />

by use of primary physical barriers. Thermoplastics are well suited for this<br />

application. Micro-encapsulation involves the intimate mixing of waste and<br />

polyethylene, as in a screw-type extruder, to form a thorough coating on<br />

particulate waste. Although such a process does not chemically bind the waste<br />

constituents, the coating would be complete enough to prohibit release by<br />

normal mechanisms (ie. leaching).<br />

Chemical (Thermosetting) Polymers<br />

Thermosetting polymers are produced through chemical reaction between organic<br />

monomers. They are strong, tough, and are not adversely affected by high<br />

temperatures. The exact types and proportions of the raw materials is often<br />

proprietary information. Many of the raw materials are hazardous or toxic<br />

chemicals.<br />

Polystyrene<br />

Polystyrene is formed by adding a catalyst (i.e acrylonitrile) to styrene.<br />

-The-re-acti3n i-s-exathermic;-producing a-strong, forittie piastic matrix. The<br />

material is not useful for encapsulating water-bearing wastes.<br />

"o • iyester resins<br />

Pnlyester resins ,arre formed-by a chemical reaction between a resin (i.e.<br />

styrene), promoter ( i.e. phthalic acid), and a catalyst ( i.e organic<br />

peroxide), to form a encapsulating matrix around the waste. The reaction is<br />

exothermal and can produce temperatures around 60°C. Modified polyesters have<br />

been developed with enhanced water encapsulation abilities.<br />

Urea-formaldehyde resin<br />

Urea-formaldehyde polymers are created by<br />

aqueous emulsion of urea and formaldehyde<br />

reaction, and this process has been used<br />

material is susceptible to embrittlement<br />

time.<br />

Epoxy resins<br />

adding a mineral acid catalyst to an<br />

Water is a byproduct of the<br />

to encapsulate aqueous wastes. The<br />

by dehydration and "bleeding" over<br />

Epoxies are produced by reactions between phenols and epoxides, in the<br />

presence of alkali to neutralize the HC1 byproduct. Chemicals which enhance<br />

water compatibility and modify structural properties_can_be added. The<br />

reaction is only mildly exothermic, but the materials are generally more<br />

expensive than other polymers.<br />

Other<br />

G-6

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