3 Common Hazardous Wastes: Properties

and Classification

3.1. A water sample at a temperature of 34 ˚C contains 344 ppb of dissolved mercury ion. What
is the Hg concentration in µg/L?

SOLUTION

3.2. Show that 5.0 µg /L of PCE in water at 30 ˚C is not equal to 5.0 ppb.

SOLUTION

3.3. A 500-L (132 gal) tank contains 255 mg/L 2,4,6-trichlorophenol dissolved in hexane. What
is the trichlorophenol concentration in ppm? Assume the temperature of the system is 20
˚C.

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3.4. Repeat Problem 3.3, but substitute trichloroethylene for hexane as the system solvent.

SOLUTION

3.5. Convert each of the following air concentrations to ppm if the temperature at the time of
sampling is 28 ˚C and the atmospheric pressure is 720 mm Hg.

a. 28 mg/m3 toluene
b. 12 mg/m3 hexachloroethane
c. 21 mg/m3 anthracene

SOLUTION

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3.6 A gas sampling device containing 200 g of the sorbent Tenax is used to collect organic
impurities from air that may be contaminated with 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane. At
the end of sampling, 240 L of air had been drawn through the sampling system, and the
concentration of the chlorofluorocarbon in the Tenax was 811 mg/kg. Assuming 100%
trapping efficiency because no weight gain was observed in a second Tenax tube placed in
series after the first, what was the contaminant concentration in the air in ppm? The ambient
temperature was 18 ˚C and pressure was 750 mm Hg.

SOLUTION

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3.7. The concentration of TCE in an air sample near a hazardous waste landfill is 34 ppm, the
ambient air temperature is 31 ˚C, and the atmospheric pressure is 0.94 atm. What is the
TCE concentration in mg/m3?

SOLUTION

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3.8. A sample of air has been collected from above an air stripping tower to evaluate 1ts
performance and to determine if toxic air emission standards are being violated. The
temperature at the time of collection was 18 ˚C, and the atmospheric pressure was 740 mm
Hg. The concentrations in the sample were 4.8 mg/m3 of benzene, 1.7 mg/m3 of PCE, and
2.0 mg/m3 of methylene chloride. What are the concentrations in ppm?

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3.9. Determine the specific activity of 100 g of a dry contaminated soil containing mixed
hazardous waste that emits α radiation at a rate of 6.7 × 109 dps.

SOLUTION

Ci
Activity = 6.7 × 109 dps × = 0.181 Ci
3.7 × 1010 dps

0.181 Ci 0.00181 Ci
Specific activity = = = 1.81 mCi/g
100 g g

Answer: Specific activity = 1.81 mCi/g

3.10. A 10-g sample of 14C-atrazine is characterized by 2.5 × 107 dps. What is the specific activity
of this sample?

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3.11. Describe the relationship between molecular structure and water solubility.

SOLUTION

3.12. A drum contains an aqueous solution of 2,4-dichlorophenol at pH 8.2. Determine the value
of α.

SOLUTION

3.13. Determine the percentage of pentachlorophenol and pentachlorophenoxide at pH 2.75, pH

3.75, pH 4.75, pH 6.75, and pH 7.75.

SOLUTION

pKa of pentachlorophenol = 4.75

pentachlorophenoxide
pH = pK a + log
pentachlorophenol

pH 2.75:
pentachlorophenoxide
2.75 = 4.75 + log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide
−2 = log
pentachlorophenol

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 pentachlorophenoxide 1
10−2 = =
pentachlorophenol 100

Pentachlorophenol = 99.01%, pentachlorophenoxide = 0.99%

pH 3.75:
pentachlorophenoxide
3.75 = 4.75 + log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide 1
10−1 = =
pentachlorophenol 10

Pentachlorophenol = 90.91%, pentachlorophenoxide = 9.09%

pH 4.75:
pentachlorophenoxide
4.75 = 4.75 + log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide 1
100 = =
pentachlorophenol 1

Pentachlorophenol = 50%, pentachlorophenoxide = 50%

pH 6.75:
pentachlorophenoxide
6.75 = 4.75 + log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide 100
102 = =
pentachlorophenol 1

Pentachlorophenol = 0.99%, pentachlorophenoxide = 99.01%

pH 7.75:

3-8
 pentachlorophenoxide
7.75 = 4.75 + log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide 1000
103 = =
pentachlorophenol 1

Pentachlorophenol = 0.0999%, pentachlorophenoxide = 99.9%

3.14. Pentachlorophenol has been disposed of in a soil pit at a wood preserving facility and has
migrated into the groundwater underlying the facility. The pH of the groundwater is 9.1.
What percent of the pentachlorophenol is in the anionic state as pentachlorophenoxide?

SOLUTION

pKa of pentachlorophenol = 4.75

pentachlorophenoxide
pH = pK a + log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide
9.1 = 4.75 + log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide
4.35 = log
pentachlorophenol

pentachlorophenoxide 22387
104.35 = =
pentachlorophenol 1

pentachlorophenoxide 22387
%= × 100 = × 100 = 99.996%
total 22388

3.15. A 1,000 L water tank contains 1,200 moles of an experimental chemical that is a weak acid
with a pKa of 7.2. The pH of the tank is 9.0. What is the molar concentration of the chemical
that will dissolve in the water at pH 9.0? Assume that the basic form of the chemical is
miscible with water, and the water solubility of the acidic form is negligible.

SOLUTION

pKa of chemical = 7.2

pH = 9.0

3-9
 [base]
pH = pK a + log
[acid]

[base]
9 = 7.2 + log
[acid]

[base]
1.8 = log
[acid]

[base] 63.1
101.8 = =
[acid] 1

63.1
Fraction in basic form = = 0.984
1 + 63.1

0.984 × 1200 moles

S= = 1.18 M
1000 L

3.16. An aqueous solution in a 55-gallon (208-L) drum, characterized by minimal buffering

capacity, contains 4 kg of phenol and 1.5 kg of sodium phenate. What is the pH of the
solution?

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3.17. The pH of an aqueous solution of aniline is 11.1. What are the values of α and β?

SOLUTION

3.18. A waste drum has received approximately half acetone and half water. In sampling the
drum, where can you expect to find the acetone and the water?

SOLUTION

3.19. A drum of waste chemicals contains benzene, aniline, and toluene. Would you expect the
presence of different phases? If so, where in the drum?

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3.20. List the specific gravity and water solubility of the following compounds:
a. 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene
b. Mevinphos
c. Pentachloroethane
d. Dieldrin
e. Dodecane
f. Isopropyl chloride
g. Ronnel

SOLUTION

1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 3.86

3.21. Using the Merck Index or online resources, find the specific gravities of each of the
following forms of cadmium.
a. Cd metal
b. CdS
c. Cd(OH)2
d. CdCO3

SOLUTION

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3.22. A common adage is “A small bucket of PCE can contaminate an entire aquifer.” If a 18.9-
L (5-gal) bucket is released (and equally distributed) into a 3.79 × 108-L (100 million-
gallon) aquifer, will the PCE standard of 5 μg/L under the Safe Drinking Water Act be
exceeded?

SOLUTION

Such a calculation is unrealistic because only a small percentage (e.g., approximately 1%)
of a NAPL dissolves in the groundwater.

3.23. A 208-L (55-gal) drum of benzene is spilled into a 37,900-L (10,000-gal) well mixed water
storage tank. What percentage of the spilled benzene is present in the aqueous phase? Where
would you find the benzene that is not dissolved?

SOLUTION

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3.24. Repeat Problem 3.23, but with the drum contents consisting of hexachloroethane.

SOLUTION

Water solubility of hexachloroethane = 38.6 mg/L

Density of hexachloroethane = 2.901 kg/L (Appendix C)
Mass of hexachloroethane:
(55 gal)( 3.79 L/gal)(2.091 kg/L) = 436 kg
Maximum hexachloroethane concentration in the aqueous phase based on its water
solubility:
(10,000 gal)(3.79 L/gal)(38.6 mg/L)(1 kg/1,000,000 mg) = 1.46 kg
Percentage of hexachloroethane dissolved in water:
(1.46/436)(100) = 0.334%
Answer: 0.334% of the hexachloroethane will be in the aqueous
phase while the remainder will lie below the water at the
bottom of the tank

3.25. A 37,900-L (10,000-gal) UST containing toluene has leaked and the toluene is floating at
the top of a shallow aquifer as free product. Its effective water solubility is controlling the
concentration of toluene in the groundwater. If 37.9 × 106 L (10 million gallons) of
groundwater have been polluted with toluene at a concentration equal to 1% of its tabulated
water solubility, what volume of toluene remains as floating product?

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SOLUTION

3.26. Determine the effective solubility of TCE in groundwater if it is present in a mixture at a

mole fraction = 0.47 and γ = 0.2.

SOLUTION

3.27. Gasoline, containing 2% (w/w) benzene, has migrated to a shallow aquifer. Determine the
effective benzene concentration in the groundwater (γ = 0.5). Assume that the average
molecular weight of the gasoline components is 120 g/mole.

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SOLUTION

3.28. A hydrocarbon mixture containing essentially all BTEX is in contact with a groundwater
system. If the six BTEX compounds are present in equal mass proportions, determine the
effective solubility for each. Assume γ = 0.5.

SOLUTION

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3.29. Determine the LFL and UFL for each of the following mixtures of chemicals.
a. 44% benzene and 56% n-octane
b. 37% MEK and 63% TCE
c. 17% chlorobenzene, 45% gasoline, and 38% methylene chloride.
d. 39% naphthalene, 41% MIBK, and 20% phenol

SOLUTION

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 12

12
2.07

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3.30. Estimate the LFL and UFL for
a. Hexane
b. Dodecane
c. MEK
d. Naphthalene
e. Phenol
Compare the estimated values to the tabulated values.

SOLUTION

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3-20
3.31. Estimate the LFL and UFL for
a. Tetradecane
b. Dimethyl phthalate
c. MIBK
d. Diethyl ether
e. Anthracene

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3.32. Based on the ignition temperatures of chlorinated ethanes and ethenes, what conclusion can
be made about the effect of chlorination on flammability?

SOLUTION

3.33. A steel storage shed containing an open drum of trichloroethylene has reached a temperature
of 138 ˚F (59 ˚C). Is there a fire hazard in the building, and why?

SOLUTION

3.34. Using the information provided in Table 3.16, list the labeling categories of fire, reactivity,
and health for the following chemicals.
a. Hexane
b. 1,4-Dioxane
c. Chlorobenzene
d. Phenol

SOLUTION

Compound Fire Reactivity Health

Hexane 3 0 1
1,4-Dioxane 3 1 2
Chlorobenzene 3 0 2
Phenol 1 0 2

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3.35. Why are each of the following mixtures potentially dangerous?
a. Sodium sulfide and battery acid
b. Sodium metal and aqueous sodium hydroxide
c. A strong solution of sodium carbonate and concentrated hydrochloric acid
d. Sodium cyanide and acetic acid
e. Bleach (calcium hypochlorite) and ammonia

SOLUTION

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.36. Determine if the following wastes are incompatible. If they are incompatible, state the
hazardous conditions that would result from mixing the wastes.
a. Crystalline sodium chloride and water
b. Waste pentaldehyde and a lime slurry
c. Plating bath waste containing cyanide and pickling liquor
d. Waste calcium metal and water
e. Battery acid and NaOH pellets
f. KMnO4 crystals and waste sulfuric acid
g. KMnO4 crystals and waste muriatic (technical-grade hydrochloric) acid
h. Concentrated ethanol and water

SOLUTION

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3.37. Describe the physical or chemical reaction that takes place when each of the following are
mixed.
a. Hydrochloric acid and cyanide
b. Sodium metal and water
c. Battery acid and caustic lime sludge

SOLUTION

3.38. Sketch a DOT placard, including the UN/NA identification number, for tanker trucks
containing each of the following hazardous materials.
a. Acetone
b. TCE
c. Parathion
d. Benzene
e. Phenol

SOLUTION

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3.39. A 90-day hazardous waste storage area is to be designed to receive 208-L (55-gal) drums
containing the following waste chemicals at the following general rates:
Battery acid (100 L/mo)
Hydrated lime (400 L/mo)
10,000 mg/L Aqueous sodium sulfide (500 L/mo)
n-Butyl nitrate (50 L/mo)
Pentaldehyde (50 L/mo)
Design a 90-day storage facility with the following features:
a. Waste segregation based on chemical compatibility
b. NFPA placards
c. Area requirements for the storage and movement of drums
d. Waste containment in the event of a spill

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SOLUTION

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3.40. The primary activities at an industrial facility include electroplating, metal parts cleaning,
and paint stripping. The usual monthly disposal of the wastes include

Acetone Ten 208-L (55-gal) drums (222,000 mg/L in water)

MEK Eighteen 208-L (55-gal) drums (50,000 mg/L in water)
Acrylonitrile Two 208-L (55-gal) drums (95% v/v)
TCE Two 208-L (55-gal) drums (90% v/v)
Sodium cyanide Five 208-L (55-gal) drums (174,000 mg/L)
Potassium dichromate Electroplating sludge (1020 kg solids at 2.16 kg/L and 12,600 L of
water)
Sulfuric acid 80% of a 208-L (55-gal) drum

The drums are stored for 90 days before they are transported off site by a RCRA-permitted
transporter. They are currently stored casually in a corner of the facility, which is a safety
hazard. The upper management wants you to design a floor plan for a small building to

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 safely store the waste drums. Some key features of the plan include the number and area
requirements of segregated sections of the building to negate chemical incompatibility. A
208-L (55-gal) drum is 0.6 m in diameter. (Feel free to use a safety factor to provide more
area for increased future waste generation rates). Each section will be isolated using a 0.5-
m-high concrete berm, which would contain spilled materials from any drum ruptures.
Construction of the berm is expensive, so the best design would use the minimum number
of segregation cells but still provide safety in the building if different chemicals within one
cell come into contact. Design a storage area for the wastes, and sketch a plan view showing
the location of the waste drums and the berms.

SOLUTION

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3-30
3-31
3.41. Using data from the Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials or online resources,
determine the LFL and UFL for each of the following mixtures of chemicals.
a. 28% acrylonitrile and 72% decane
b. 40% n-heptane and 60% hydrogen cyanide
c. 24% acetone, 38% cyclohexane, and 38% dodecane.
d. 10% acrylonitrile, 39% toluene, and 51% p-xylene

SOLUTION

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3.42. Using reference materials or online resources, find the water solubility and specific gravity
of the following hazardous compounds:
a. Acrolein
b. Dimethoate
c. 2,4-Pentanedione
d. Dibrom
e. Methomyl
f. Neburon
g. Vacron

SOLUTION

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3.42:

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