PROCESS FOR DECONTAMINATION OF CHROMATED COPPER ARSENATE TREATED WOOD

摘要

This invention relates to a chemical process of decontamination of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood. This process includes: i) at least one leaching step of metals from CCA-treated wood particles (solids content ranging from 20 to 200 g/L) with a diluted inorganic acid solution (0.05 to 1 N) at a temperature lower than 100.degree.C and for a period of time (0.5 to 24 h) sufficient to adequately solubilize arsenic, chromium and copper; ii) the separation of the wood particles from the acid solution; iii) at least one washing step of the wood particles in a solution in order to remove residual arsenic , chromium and copper; and iv) at least one treatment step for the recovery of metals from the acid leachates and washing waters. The decontaminated wood particles and the metals extracted from the CCA-treated wood can be safely disposed or recycled.