Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system of uniform vapor pathways for soil evaporative desorption. In one embodiment, a batch of contaminated soil is placed inside a treatment compartment through a hopper. The contaminated soil is moved across an inner length of the treatment compartment. As the contaminated soil moves toward a far end of the treatment compartment, planes surrounding the contaminated soil vibrates to facilitate mixing and loosening of the contaminated soil, thereby creating uniform vapor pathways around the surface and within the contaminated soil. A plurality of helical stem auger comprising helical flights may rotate to further mix and loosen the contaminated soil. Heat is applied to the contaminated soil to desorb contaminates within the soil. A vapor extraction line within a core of the hollow stem auger suctions vaporized contaminates out of the treatment compartment and into a reclamation system.

Abstract: Contaminated soil can be in-situ cleaned without an excavation process. Heated gas can be injected to the contaminated soil to heat the soil for vaporizing the contaminants. Vacuum extraction can be used for extracting the volatile contaminants. Cool air can be injected to the cleaned soil to prevent total organic carbon degradation.

Abstract: Simple flow path with minimum turns for the vapor extraction flow paths can provide maximum air flow with minimal head loss, leading to higher efficiency in a thermal desorption process. Hot air vapor extraction arrangement can include large diameter vertical or horizontal trunk line or curved plate with continuous wire wrap well screens. The vapor extraction trunk can draw all vapors to the center of the soil box, which can reduce the treatment time by substantially removing condensation zone. The interior of the vapor extraction well screen and trunk can include porous material, which can reduce dust within the vapor stream, eliminate potential short circuiting in the event of a screen rupture and reduce potential explosion hazards.

Abstract: Underground contamination can be treated with soil amended with oxygen gettering material. The treated soil can act as a reactive medium, creating a favorable environment to remove the contamination, such as breaking down the contamination into less harmful or harmless substances.

Abstract: Treating an immediate exhaust of a thermal desorption chamber can improve the safety of the treatment process, such as reducing potential explosion or flammability when treating highly contaminated soil. Mean free paths of the exhaust gas exiting a thermal desorption chamber are restricted to limit the flame propagation and explosion fronts. For example, a section of the gas exhaust conduit can be filled with a porous media, which can assist in reducing or eliminating the potential explosion hazard in the conduit. Temperature and concentration of flammable elements can be monitored and controlled to prevent explosion hazards. An isolation valve and a pressure relief chimney can also be coupled to the exhaust of the thermal desorption chamber.

Abstract: Simple flow path with minimum turns for the vapor extraction flow paths can provide maximum air flow with minimal head loss, leading to higher efficiency in a thermal desorption process. Hot air vapor extraction arrangement can include large diameter vertical or horizontal trunk line or curved plate with continuous wire wrap well screens. The vapor extraction trunk can draw all vapors to the center of the soil box, which can reduce the treatment time by substantially removing condensation zone. The interior of the vapor extraction well screen and trunk can include porous material, which can reduce dust within the vapor stream, eliminate potential short circuiting in the event of a screen rupture and reduce potential explosion hazards.