Abstract: A decontamination converter apparatus installed at an outdoor site where organic compounds have been stored and where such compounds have entered the ground as contaminants and endanger the groundwater comprising an inlet conduit constructed to receive an air stream, produced at the site, that carries organic contaminants; preheating means comprising (a) a heat exchanger and (b) an externally powered heater, said preheating means arranged to preheat said site-produced air stream carrying said contaminants; and oxidizing catalytic converter having a predetermined minimum operating temperature for efficient operation and arranged to receive the said air stream from said preheater means and constructed to oxidize said organic contaminants to produce a decontaminated effluent air stream substantially free of said organic contaminants; and ducting directing the thus decontaminated, hot effluent air stream from said catalytic converter through said heat exchanger and thence to the atmosphere; said heat exchanger be

Abstract: A method and system for decontaminating water, e.g., groundwater or process effluent, which is contaminated by small concentrations, e.g., in the range of 0.01 to 100 ppm, of dissolved volatile organic compounds (VOCs) includes introducing a flow of the water to an air stripping stage in which the water is directed through a packed column and air is directed through the column to air-strip organic molecules from the contaminated water; releasing the thus decontaminated water substantially free of the compounds to the environment; pretreating the organic compounds-carrying air in the substantial absence of water particles by a preheater; passing the heated air through a catalytic stage that oxidizes the organic compounds, and releasing the gaseous effluent from the catalytic stage to the atmosphere substantially free of organic contaminants.