A performance history of the base catalyzed decomposition (BCD) process

Remediation of halogenated organic compounds—such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)—poses a challenge because these compounds are resistant to microbial attack and to degradation by many common chemicals. Since the mid‐1980s, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Research and Development in Cincinnati, Ohio—the National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL)—has funded research and development efforts to develop specialized, chemical dehalogenation processes for detoxifying PCBs and related compounds. NRMRL owns domestic rights for “basic process” patents on a chemical dehalogenation process commonly known as Base Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD). EPA has licensed the process to two firms for use in the United States. This article summarizes laboratory‐scale, pilot‐scale, and field performance data on BCD technology collected to date by various governmental, academic, and private organizations.