Abstract: Methods are provided for the removal of sulfur and other ARD/AMD-generating materials through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods comprise admixing an ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material with an organic material to produce a mixture, exposing the mixture to an oxidant, and initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, depression or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.

Abstract: A method for remediating contaminated soil and groundwater includes selecting a treatment material and creating a smolderable mixture of a contaminant, the treatment material, and soil.

Abstract: A method for remediating a contaminated porous matrix including selecting the type and quantity of organic fuel to create a smolderable mixture of the organic fuel and contaminated porous matrix, and controlling the rate of oxidant addition to manipulate the relative proportions of oxidative breakdown products, non-oxidative breakdown products, and non-destructive remediation processes. The method further involves collecting the volatilized contaminant, and any gaseous breakdown products of the contaminant.

Abstract: A method for remediating contaminated soil and groundwater includes selecting a treatment material and creating a smolderable mixture of a contaminant, the treatment material, and soil.

Abstract: A method for remediating contaminated soil and groundwater includes selecting a treatment material and creating a smolderable mixture of a contaminant, the treatment material, and soil.

Abstract: A method for remediating a contaminated porous matrix including selecting the type and quantity of organic fuel to create a smolderable mixture of the organic fuel and contaminated porous matrix, and controlling the rate of oxidant addition to manipulate the relative proportions of oxidative breakdown products, non-oxidative breakdown products, and non-destructive remediation processes. The method further involves collecting the volatilized contaminant, and any gaseous breakdown products of the contaminant.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the removal of sulfur and other ARD/AMD-generating materials through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods comprise admixing an ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material with an organic material to produce a mixture, exposing the mixture to an oxidant, and initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or ARD/AMD-generating porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, depression or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating or recovering gaseous materials such as hydrogen and solids such as metals through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods include admixing a porous matrix material with an organic material, and, in some embodiments a catalyst, to produce a porous mixture. The mixture is exposed to an oxidant, initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture, and collecting the vapors and combustion products or processing the porous matrix following combustion to physically separate the porous matrix material from ash containing inorganic materials of value. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or catalyst or porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, lagoon or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating or recovering gaseous materials such as hydrogen and solids such as metals through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods include admixing a porous matrix material with an organic material, and, in some embodiments a catalyst, to produce a porous mixture. The mixture is exposed to an oxidant, initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture, and collecting the vapors and combustion products or processing the porous matrix following combustion to physically separate the porous matrix material from ash containing inorganic materials of value. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or catalyst or porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, lagoon or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.

Abstract: A method for remediating contaminated soil and groundwater includes selecting a treatment material and creating a smolderable mixture of a contaminant, the treatment material, and soil.

Abstract: A method destroys organic liquid contaminants contained in a plurality of below-ground volumes by smoldering combustion. The method applies heat to at least a portion of a first one of the volumes of organic liquid and forces oxidant into the first volume of organic liquid so as to initiate self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the first volume of organic liquid. The method may terminate the heat applied to the first volume of organic liquid. Next, the method modulates the flow of the oxidant into the first volume of organic liquid so as to cause at least a portion of the first volume of organic liquid to migrate and come into contact with another one of the volumes of organic liquid, so as to propagate the smoldering combustion. In an alternative embodiment, the flow of the oxidant may be modulated to establish a substantially stationary combustion front.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating or recovering gaseous materials such as hydrogen and solids such as metals through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods include admixing a porous matrix material with an organic material, and, in some embodiments a catalyst, to produce a porous mixture. The mixture is exposed to an oxidant, initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture, and collecting the vapors and combustion products or processing the porous matrix following combustion to physically separate the porous matrix material from ash containing inorganic materials of value. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or catalyst or porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, lagoon or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.

Abstract: A method destroys organic liquid contaminants contained in a plurality of below-ground volumes by smoldering combustion. The method applies heat to at least a portion of a first one of the volumes of organic liquid and forces oxidant into the first volume of organic liquid so as to initiate self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the first volume of organic liquid. The method may terminate the heat applied to the first volume of organic liquid. Next, the method modulates the flow of the oxidant into the first volume of organic liquid so as to cause at least a portion of the first volume of organic liquid to migrate and come into contact with another one of the volumes of organic liquid, so as to propagate the smoldering combustion. In an alternative embodiment, the flow of the oxidant may be modulated to establish a substantially stationary combustion front.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the volumetric reduction of organic liquids. The methods comprise admixing a porous matrix material with an organic liquid to produce a mixture, forcing oxidant through the mixture, and initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic liquid or porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, lagoon or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion. Yet further embodiments comprise the batch addition of a fuel additive to the aggregate prior to smoldering to ensure that the ensuing smoldering combustion is self-sustaining or of the required temperature to reduce or remove other contaminants in the matrix or organic liquid such as heavy metals or asbestos.