Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for its use in the decontamination and remediation of soils laden with organic hydrocarbons and toxic inorganic compounds. The soil to be treated is placed in a soil treatment tray which is subsequently placed within the treatment chamber. A multiple radiant heater rack is placed over the treatment chamber and the contaminant compounds are heated and vaporized. A blower fan creates a vacuum which pulls the organic hydrocarbon gases and other vaporized contaminants through the soil and out to the contaminant vapor removal/condenser unit where the compounds are liquified and containerized. A novel automatic safeguard system insures that all burners and fans are running continuously and automatically shuts down one or more components of the system should a burner or fan malfunction so that the potentially dangerous accumulation of explosive gasses is prevented.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removal of .Iadd.contaminants such as .Iaddend.petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil. The apparatus of the invention includes a shallow container, preferably with vertical sides, which has in its bottom wall a multiplicity of elongated recessed chambers with an open mesh entry area at the upper side, and a gas discharge orifice at one end of each chamber. A rack containing burners is adapted for positioning over the material to be treated within the container. The invented method includes charging materials to be treated into a container, heating the material while creating a partial pressure within the chamber, establishing a vacuum to pull the gasses downwardly through the soil and atmospheric air downwardly with the gasses, then either collecting or discharging the removed gasses, after which the soil is removed from the treatment chamber.