Abstract: The present invention provides a process of decontaminating, by composting under specific conditions, soil and/or sediments containing certain toxic cyclical organic compound contaminants by converting these contaminants into harmless materials. The compounds include chlordane, dieldrin, toxaphene, aldrin, endrin, and heptachlorepoxide. The process includes the step of affecting a solid compost mixture during composting with a redox potential below negative 200 mV (millivolts). Further, the process includes several steps which are repeated until an amount of contaminant is degraded to less than 140 ppm (part per million) per ton of soil.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 1, 1996
Date of Patent:
May 11, 1999
Assignee:
Stauffer Management Company
Inventors:
Neil Cameron Croall Gray, Guy Peter Moser, Lovi Eva Moser