Abstract: Methods of detecting, characterizing, and mapping an environmental subsurface PFAS-stabilized viscoelastic non-Newtonian light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL), including collecting an environmental sample that is a fluid sample, or is collected as a solid that is subsequently extracted with water to generate a fluid sample; and where the environmental sample is associated with a location where it was collected; analyzing the fluid sample using one or more rheological methods; and correlating the rheological characteristics with a presence or an absence of the non-Newtonian LNAPL at the location where the environmental sample was collected.

Abstract: Methods of detecting, characterizing, and mapping an environmental subsurface PFAS-stabilized viscoelastic non-Newtonian light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL), including collecting an environmental sample that is a fluid sample, or is collected as a solid that is subsequently extracted with water to generate a fluid sample; and where the environmental sample is associated with a location where it was collected; analyzing the fluid sample using one or more rheological methods; and correlating the rheological characteristics with a presence or an absence of the non-Newtonian LNAPL at the location where the environmental sample was collected.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing, measuring, and/or mapping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in porous media such as soils, sludges, and colloids by employing both direct and indirect heating methods to transfer thermal energy to the media undergoing treatment. The contaminated media is placed within a media treatment enclosure that incorporates a thermal jacket, and radiatively heated by circulating a heated gas through the thermal jacket. The contaminated media is directly heated by injecting heated treatment gas into the media treatment enclosure. The heated treatment gas is drawn over and/or through the contaminated media to mobilize contaminants from the media and into the treatment gas, which is then collected and processed to recover the contaminant.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for detecting and optionally quantifying amphiphilic compounds in the environment, in media samples, and on objects by determining an initial surface energy of a surface of a sample substrate, exposing the sample substrate surface to a medium that contains or is suspected to contain an amphiphilic compound for a time sufficient for the amphiphilic compound to interact with the sample substrate surface, determining a post-exposure surface energy of the surface of the sample substrate, determining a change in the surface energy of the sample substrate surface, and correlating the determined change in surface energy of the sample substrate surface with a presence and/or character of amphiphilic compounds in the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing, measuring, and/or mapping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in porous media such as soils, sludges, and colloids by employing both direct and indirect heating methods to transfer thermal energy to the media undergoing treatment. The contaminated media is placed within a media treatment enclosure that incorporates a thermal jacket, and radiatively heated by circulating a heated gas through the thermal jacket. The contaminated media is directly heated by injecting heated treatment gas into the media treatment enclosure. The heated treatment gas is drawn over and/or through the contaminated media to mobilize contaminants from the media and into the treatment gas, which is then collected and processed to recover the contaminant.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a non-destructive recovery of PFAS contaminants from a variety of media, the apparatus including 1) a polarity conversion unit for non-destructive PFAS removal from soil, sludges, filter media, and objects; 2) a brine pot evaporator for recovering PFAS from foams and fluids; 3) a fluids treatment system for PFAS removal from treated fluids; and 4) an amphiphilic decontamination wand for PFAS removal from hard surfaces.

Abstract: Methods of treating porous media, including methods of nondestructive removal of PFAS contaminants from soil, and apparatus for carrying out thermal decontamination of porous substrates. The thermal decontamination apparatus sinters and shapes the media to be remediated, and then provides sequential sectionalized treatment using treatment gases that are drawn through the sintered media, extracted, and then treated to remove contaminants extracted from the treated media.

Abstract: Sintered Wave Multi-Media Polarity Conversion Treatment Apparatus and Process is disclosed, which uses a non-destructive physiochemical PFAS vapor emissions treatment system to provide vacuum and vapor conveyance for 1) a Polarity Conversion Unit for non-destructive PFAS removal from soil, sludges, rechargeable galvanic filter media and objects, 2) a fluids treatment line for PFAS removal from water, brines, foams and colloids, and 3) an amphiphilic decontamination wand for PFAS removal from hard surfaces. The vapor emissions treatment system uses direct spray cooling to cool treatment gases where fluid chemistry causes pre-micellular aggregates/liquids crystals formation. Filtered aggregates are dried in a Brine Pot Evaporator for off-site disposal. Residual PFAS vapors are removed through a Vapor Phase Galvanic Separator where galvanic currents offer high energy interfaces of varying charges for monomeric PFAS self-assembly.

Abstract: Sintered Wave Porous Media Treatment and Apparatus and Process is disclosed, which uses an automated static enclosed arrangement to efficiently remove water, organic contaminants (petroleum, solvents, pcbs, pesticides) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorinated related compounds from large volumes of porous media such as a mixture of soil, gravel, rocks, sediments or other porous media. The Sintered Wave technology is a multipurpose treatment device that uses a Sinter Craft as a treatment vessel that allows earth moving machines to easily enter and exit during loading/unloading. The soil is then conditioned to accommodate treatment by sintering (densifying) by vibrating the soil bed, which removes soil vapor and fluids. The soil bed is then shaped by placing hexagonal holes or slots containing 120 degree angles from top to the bottom of the soil bed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system of high resolution modular heating for soil evaporative desorption. In one embodiment, a soil box comprising contaminated soil is mounted within a treatment chamber. Heated gas are directed into the soil box through a plurality of injection ports. A heat front from the heated gas desorbs the surrounding contaminated soil. The delivery of the heated gas may be in sections and independently controlled among the plurality of injection ports. A bottom section of the soil box is heated prior to a top section to minimize or reduce condensation formation within lower areas of the soil box, thereby creating roadways of desiccated, heated, and/or cracked soil at the bottom section. Vaporized contaminants from the top section is able to flow freely through the roadways to get to an exit pathway at the bottom of the soil box.

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: Active or closed feedback/feed forward loop controls may be used to improve operation of a thermal desorption process. Characteristics of the thermal desorption process may be monitored, e.g., carbon monoxide concentration, and then may be used to predict the end point of the thermal desorption process. Inputs and effluent treatment elements may also be modulated to further optimize the treatment time and quality (completeness) and to avoid any unwanted effects associated with excess processing. Post-treatment gas comprising non-condensed condensable hydrocarbon contaminants may be recycled as pre-treatment gas or used to heat fresh air. Mean free paths of the exhaust gas exiting a thermal desorption chamber are restricted to limit the flame propagation and explosion fronts. Temperature and concentration of flammable elements may be monitored and controlled to prevent explosion hazards. An isolation valve and a pressure relief chimney may also be coupled to the exhaust of the thermal desorption chamber.

Abstract: Contaminate soil can be treated using inductive energy. An inductive generator can generate inductive power to heat inductively heatable elements disposed in the contaminate soil or in a soil box. Input treatment gas can pass through the heated soil to remove contaminants in the soil to the exhaust. The inductively heatable elements can be placed in a mesh conduit, which can heat the input treatment gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system of high resolution modular heating for soil evaporative desorption. In one embodiment, a soil box comprising contaminated soil is mounted within a treatment chamber. Heated gas are directed into the soil box through a plurality of injection ports. A heat front from the heated gas desorbs the surrounding contaminated soil. The delivery of the heated gas may be in sections and independently controlled among the plurality of injection ports. A bottom section of the soil box is heated prior to a top section to minimize or reduce condensation formation within lower areas of the soil box, thereby creating roadways of desiccated, heated, and/or cracked soil at the bottom section. Vaporized contaminants from the top section is able to flow freely through the roadways to get to an exit pathway at the bottom of the soil box.

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: Active or closed loop controls can be used to improve the operation of a thermal desorption process. Characteristics of the thermal desorption process can be monitored, and then can be used to predict the end point of the thermal desorption process. Inputs and effluent treatment elements can also be modulated to further optimize the treatment time and quality (completeness) and to avoid any unwanted effects associated with excess processing.

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.