Frontier Technologies, Inc. was established in December, 1994 as a recycling facility for EPA designated F006, D002, D006, D007, D008, D011 wastes containing copper and lead. FTI's processing scheme produces saleable copper and lead products and a residue that is "delisted" under EPA Finalized Rules (Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 160, Tuesday, August 18, 1992/Rules and Regulations and codifed in 40 CFR 261.3(c)(2)(ii)C) and landfilled as nonhazardous, Subtitle D, commercial waste. Since the incoming listed hazardous wastes are converted to saleable metal products and a delisted residue, a waste generator's responsibility under RCRA's "cradle-to-grave" ends with Frontier Technologies, Inc.
Frontier Technologies, Inc. has permitted and constructed a RCRA storage and Resource Recovery Facility (EPA ID# MOR 000001230) in Rolla, Missouri near Interstate 44. This totally enclosed facility was built on a greenfield site in the Twitty-Dietzmann Industrial Park within the city limits. FTI has developed a hydro-pyrometallurgical process to recycle copper and lead from wastewater treatment sludges generated by the electronics manufacturing, metal finishing, and electroplating industries leaving a "delisted" residue suitable for Subtitle D disposal. Currently, thousands of tons of EPA designated F006, D002, D006, D007, D008, D011 sludges are being landfilled as Subtitle C (hazardous) waste each year which is an undesirable alternative for these wastes because of the toxic metal content such as cadmium, lead, chromium, and silver that may be potentially leachable if the landfill fails. Conventional treatment consists of smelting (if the copper content is high enough) or using acids and bases to solubilize the metals for subsequent separation and recovery. Unfortunately, hazardous waste products are still produced (for example, slag or leach residues) that must be, or should be, disposed in Subtitle C landfills.
FTI's process begins with an aqueous leaching process that selectively dissolves the copper from the incoming waste. The pregnant solution is filtered away from the insoluble solids and the copper is recovered which regenerates the leach solution for further waste processing. The solids are then roasted under reducing conditions to volatilize the lead which is then captured for sale to secondary lead refineries. The roaster discharge contains only iron, calcium, silicon, and magnesium oxides which is suitable for Subtitle D (sanitary) landfill. FTI has one of the few permits in the nation that can process these types of wastes (F006 in particular) in a manner qualifying for the generic exclusion for all by-product residues.
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Operating Procedures and Training
Acceptance Criteria -- Non-Conforming Materials
Directions to Frontier Technologies, Inc.
GENERATOR'S WASTE MATERIAL PROFILE Sheet
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