Acid Tars: Their Production, Treatment and Disposal in the U.K

Abstract

Acid tar is a hazardous waste produced by several industries which use concentrated sulphuric acid for the treatment of hydrocarbon materials. It is an acrid, corrosive substance with persistent, hazardous properties. Recent concern about the unsatisfactory treatment and disposal of acid tar has led to research into two main areas of interest: the potential problems which might be created by the legacy of historical disposal sites, and the most effective route for acid tar disposal. This work has found that problems will be created by historical dumps of acid tars, due to the potentially high number of tipping sites and the difficulties encountered in site rehabilitation. Incineration of acid tars in cement kilns is the most promising route for present arisings, because it provides effective and permanent disposal. However, more work is needed to assess its technical feasibility and application.