Abstract: This invention relates to generally an apparatus and method for accumulating and discharging a gas under pressure or vacuum to aid the remediation of a contaminated porous medium, such as soil or both. In one aspect, a windmill, an air pump, and a linkage between the windmill and the pump to permit the windmill to drive the pump at a higher differential pressure than the dynamic pressure of the wind. A venting head connected in fluid communication with the pump for placement to interact with a porous medium to be vented at a level above the water table.

Abstract: A method for treating polluted material such as industrial waste water or polluted water from other sources, sewage or sewage sludge, or other forms of sludge, to degrade oxidizable substances therein. The polluted material is subjected to a wet oxidation process in a tubular reactor so as to decompose and/or modify oxidizable substances therein and improve the filterability of any solids present in the material. The material may also be pretreated to facilitate the wet oxidation process. Solid polluted material is preferably in the form of an aqueous suspension when subjected to wet oxidation. The wet oxidation process is performed to such an extent that the decomposed and/or modified substances remaining after the oxidation step are substantially biodegradable. Heavy metals may also be removed subsequent to the wet oxidation process.