Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbon contaminants from groundwater. The apparatus preferably removes contaminants from groundwater by heating the groundwater to a temperature at which the contaminant vaporizes and separates from the liquid groundwater. Sparge air may be passed through the groundwater to assist in separating the vaporized contaminant. Further, a vacuum may be applied to lower the vaporization temperature of the contaminant. The extracted hydrocarbons are preferably destroyed in a thermal or catalytic oxidizer while the groundwater with the vaporized contaminant removed is preferably pumped through activated carbon filters to further reduce the amount of contaminants to governmental standards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbon contaminants from groundwater. The apparatus preferably removes contaminants from groundwater by heating the groundwater to a temperature at which the contaminant vaporizes and separates from the liquid groundwater. Sparge air may be passed through the groundwater to assist in separating the vaporized contaminant. Further, a vacuum may be applied to lower the vaporization temperature of the contaminant. The extracted hydrocarbons are preferably destroyed in a thermal or catalytic oxidizer while the groundwater with the vaporized contaminant removed is preferably pumped through activated carbon filters to further reduce the amount of contaminants to governmental standards.

Abstract: A transportable apparatus that can be utilized for on-site removal of contaminating hydrocarbons from gravel and soils. The apparatus functions by depositing the gravel and soils as a layer onto a specially constructed belt or screw conveyor which operates so that gravel and soils are not only conveyed through an exposure to multiple overhead steam nozzles or jets, but also agitated to separate the individual particles so that each particle's entire surface is exposed to superheated steam. The superheated steam volatizes the lighter hydrocarbons and thins the heavier hydrocarbons. The volatilized hydrocarbons are evacuated from the conveyor and condensed to liquid form. The thinned heavier hydrocarbons are discharged with the gravel and soils into a sump, where the hydrocarbons are captured. The clean gravel and soils are removed from the apparatus by a loader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants, including hydrocarbon and metal, from contaminated particulate material, such as gravel, soil, and the like. Initially, contaminants are removed by contact with water at a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the contaminants to remove them by melting. The removed contaminants are then subjected to specific gravity separation in water and filtration, including ion exchange and activated carbon filtration.