RE: PCB 40ppm where sould oil be sampled.Pandora's box

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Mike <megavolts61@xxxxxxxxx>

Hi Jim,
    Unless you heated it pretty hot to ignite 
it....I doubt it was PCBs.   Althought it's 
possible to have some in the oil,  PCB's are pretty hard to burn.
     Although PCBs do not ignite themselves, 
they can be combusted under extreme and carefully 
controlled conditions. Current regulations 
require that PCBs are burnt at a temperature of 
1200ºC for at least two seconds, in the presence 
of fuel oil and excess oxygen. A lack of oxygen 
can result in the formation of 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=PCDD&action=edit>PCDDs, 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=PCDF&action=edit>PCDFs 
and <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioxin>dioxins, 
or the incomplete destruction of the PCBs. Such 
specific conditions mean that it is extremely 
expensive to destroy PCBs on a tonnage scale, and 
it can only be used on PCB containing equipment 
and contaminated liquid. This method is not 
suitable for the decontamination of affected 
soils. ( from Wikipedia).      Personally,  I'd 
not try to incinerate the stuff...just use it for 
it's intended purpose and make sure not to spill 
any, if possible.   I mean, you already have the 
oil there....why try to make a superfund site out 
of your house when you can simply use it with 
care and common sense?    Even newer transformer 
oils are not likely too good for the 
environment.......heck a few millileters of motor 
oil can pollute a million liters of water.....
Mike


Original poster: "Jim Mora"

Hi Mike

Yes. No contact was made. I burned 2 inches vigorously up wind from
copious
black smoke. This is not how PCB normally acts is it?