Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing PCB concentration in an electrical induction apparatus containing a dielectric fluid with greater than 500 ppm PCB to a level of less than about 50 ppm PCB. Dielectric fluid containing greater than 500 ppm PCB is drained from an electrical induction apparatus, and the drained apparatus then is filled with tetrachloroethylene as a first interim dielectric fluid. The apparatus is then electrically operated with the first interim dielectric fluid so as to attain about an equilibrium PCB concentration in the first fluid. The first interim dielectric fluid then is drained from the apparatus and replaced with fresh tetrachloroethylene as a second interim dielectric fluid. The apparatus then is electrically operated with the second interim dielectric fluid so as to attain about an equilibrium PCB concentration in the second fluid.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for chemically decontaminating PCB-contaminated dielectric fluids utilizes three reactors through which the contaminated fluid is processed on a repetitive, sequential batch basis automated by a programmable controller. The processing of each reactor batch includes a charging cycle during which a reactor is filled with contaminated fluid, a reaction cycle during which the PCBs are destroyed by reaction with reagents introduced into a reactor, and a discharging cycle during which the reactor is emptied of decontaminated fluid and reaction by-products into a decanting tank for ultimate separation. The controller coordinates the sequential batch processing through the three reactors in 120.degree. time phased relation such that a charging cycle of one reactor batch, a reaction cycle of a second reactor batch and a discharging cycle of the third reactor batch are all coincident in time during normal operation.