Abstract: A heater for thermal conduction heating suitable for use in non-vertical heater wells for purposes of soil remediation. The heater includes a rigid bar to position a non-insulated heating element in the casing away from the interior surface of the casing.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for oxidizing organic contaminants while sequestering inhibitory forms of carbon. An oxidant capable of producing free radicals oxidizes organic contaminants. A metal oxide, metal hydroxide, or metal peroxide generates a soluble hydroxide concentration of about 1×10?4 M or greater to convert carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, methane, elemental carbon, and other organic forms of carbon to carbonate ion. A metal having a carbonate with a lower solubility product constant than its hydroxide precipitates the carbonate ion as a metal carbonate, thereby eliminating soluble carbonate as a radical scavenger. Compositions and methods that additionally minimize metal solubilization and sequester solubilized metals are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for preventing or mitigating elevated temperatures within a landfill. The system comprises at least one water tight heat exchange unit with a lower edge and an upper edge, wherein the placement of the heat exchange unit is at least one of (1) within the waste mass proximate the area of elevated temperature, or (2) within the area of elevated temperature, the at least one heat exchange unit fabricated to resist differential settlement forces within the landfill as well as the elevated temperatures. The system further includes piping configured to discharge a cooling fluid within the heat exchange unit and a heat exchanger for ejecting heat from the cooling fluid and at least one temperature probe configured to measure the temperature of the waste mass. The system utilizes a pump adapted to circulate the cooling fluid within the piping system and to the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: A method for remediating contaminated soil includes adding a heat-activated oxidizing agent into the soil; exposing the soil to direct current through a first set of electrodes so as to cause migration of the oxidizing agent through the soil and pore water contained in the soil; and exposing the soil to alternating current through a second set of electrodes so as to heat the soil and thus to activate the oxidizing agent. The first and second sets of electrodes are optionally the same set.

Abstract: An articulating conduit linkage system for maintaining a fluid connection between a fluid source and displaceable conduit that has been buried in a subsiding permeable body. A fluid source can supply a working fluid through a source outlet. A displaceable conduit can receive the working fluid through a conduit inlet, and be buried at a depth within a subsiding permeable body that is contained within a permeability control infrastructure. A plurality of articulating conduit segments can include, an outer conduit segment coupled to the source outlet, an inner conduit segment coupled to the conduit inlet, and at least one middle conduit segment coupled to the outer and inner segments. In the event of a subsidence, the plurality of articulating conduit segments are configured so the outer and inner conduit segments extend the conduit linkage system while maintaining a working fluid connection between the source outlet and the conduit inlet.

Abstract: There is provided a method for achieving oxidation of organic contaminants held in low permeability soil and its contained pore water. The method comprises the supply and electromigration of an oxidant throughout the soil and pore water by means of an applied direct current via electrodes arrayed within the soil, followed by the heating of the soil by an applied alternating current using the identical electrodes.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. Hydrocarbon products can be collected from intermediate locations within the permeable body. Advantageously, an intermediate fluid collection system can be used to draw a hydrocarbon product from the permeable body at preselected locations. Such intermediate collection can provide hydrocarbon product fractions which can reduce or eliminate the need for full-scale distillation of a hydrocarbon product having a full range of products such as that typically found in crude oil.

Abstract: A method of preventing egress of a vapor from an encapsulated volume can include forming a substantially impermeable vapor barrier along an inner surface of the encapsulated volume. The encapsulated volume includes a permeable body of comminuted hydro carbonaceous material. Further, the vapor barrier can include an insulating layer capable of maintaining a temperature gradient of at least 400° F. across the insulating layer. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to liberate hydrocarbons therefrom and the hydrocarbons can be collected from the permeable body. The vapor barrier layer can be a single or multiple layer construction, depending on the specific materials chosen.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The infrastructure can also include a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The infrastructure can further include at least one convection driving conduit oriented in a lower portion of the permeable body to generate bulk convective flow patterns throughout the permeable body. An associated method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material.

Abstract: A method for in-situ reduction of contaminants in soil.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body within the encapsulated volume. The impoundment includes a water vapor outlet for removing water vapor from the encapsulated volume. A heating device is also embedded within the permeable body to provide convective heating thereof. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via the outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can then be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure.

Abstract: A method for in-situ reduction of contaminants in soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving vermiculite's intake of ammonium, in which method heating of the crude vermiculite is conducted to a temperature where vermiculite's third dehydration step takes place, the temperature being lower than the temperature where vermiculite's fourth dehydration/dehydroxylation step takes place. The invention relates also to use of the obtained vermiculite and to an absorption material, comprising vermiculite material and additives, where at least 50% of the vermiculite material comprises vermiculite, which has undergone the third dehydration step but not the fourth dehydration/dehydroxylation step. The invention relates also to use of thermally treated and ammonium doped vermiculite as fertilizer/soil conditioner.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-site microwave consolidation of planetary regolith, soil and dust is disclosed. Such particulate materials may be converted into useful products such as roadways and other construction materials. In one embodiment, a portable microwave generator and waveguide system is used to generate and direct microwaves to a lunar surface containing fine iron-containing particles to sinter and/or melt the particles. The portable system may be provided in the form of a lunar paver with a single or multiple waveguides arranged to direct sufficient microwave energy to the lunar surface to heat, sinter, melt, or otherwise consolidate the lunar soil into a solid mass suitable for use as a road or path. Other applications of this in-situ microwave heating process include the release of solar-wind implanted gases, extraction of polar water-ice, and production of oxygen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying soil wherein a soil drying machine is adapted to traverse an area of soil and to dry the soil in the process. The soil drying machine includes a main frame having an air generating device, such as a blower, and a heater mounted thereon. A system of heated air is generated on the soil drying machine and directed downwardly into engagement with the soil being dried. Forming a part of the soil drying machine is a tilling implement. From time-to-time the tilling implement can be lowered and engaged with the soil so as to till the soil prior to the soil being subjected to the heated air, or after the soil has been subjected to the heated air. The soil drying machine may be in the form of a self-propelled unit or a pull-type unit configured to be pulled by a tractor.

Abstract: A remediation method and system is disclosed. A plurality of conductors is installed into the subsurface to introduce electrical current to produce heat in the subsurface. One or more agents are released into the subsurface to cause or accelerate the decomposition of one or more pre-existing halogenated organic compounds and release halogen ions, improving electrode performance.

Abstract: A system and method for remediation of contaminated soil is provided. The system comprises a soil remediation cell of contaminated soil, and a plurality of multi-functional perforated pipes located within the contaminated soil. The multi-functional perforated pipes operate as (a) heating elements for introducing heat into the contaminated soil for volatilizing the contaminants located within the contaminated soil without utilizing mechanically driven forced air thereby producing a contaminated vapor, and (b) flow channels for removing the contaminated vapor from within the soil remediation cell. A high temperature covering, located about the soil remediation cell, forms a chamber over the soil remediation cell which receives and collects in the chamber the contaminated vapor which have been released from the multi-functional perforated pipes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for remediating contaminated soil. The methods may include collecting contaminated soil at a plurality of treatment sites. The contaminated soil at one or more of the plurality of treatment sites may be at least partially contained. The method may include heating soil at a first site with a plurality of heat sources to substantially reduce contamination of the soil at the first site. Soil at a second site may be heated using a plurality of heat sources. A portion of vapors produced from the second site may be allowed to enter the substantially uncontaminated first site. Contaminants within the portion of vapors produced from the second site may be at least partially destroyed at the first site.

Abstract: A preferred method of soil remediation in which contaminant organic compounds are removed from soil by a sequential process in which the bulk of natural and contaminant organic compounds are stripped from the soil by hot air injection, followed by applying a strong oxidizing agent, preferably a permanganate, to reduce residual organic contaminant concentration to acceptable levels. Hot air is injected into the soil as it is being churned by the soil mixing device, preferably a chain trencher, to strip off organic compounds. The vapors may be collected through a vacuum hood disposed over the soil mixing device. When the thermal stripping has reduced the bulk hydrocarbon content of the soil (and thus reduced the oxidant demand), an effective amount of permanganate or other strong oxidizing agent is mixed into the soil to reduce the residual organic contaminants. Hot air can also be injected into the soil as or after the oxidizing agent is introduced to accelerate the oxidation rate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from solid media such as drill cuttings, tank bottoms or contaminated soils. The process is conducted in at least one thermal screw conveyor which provides two or more separate temperature zones which can be operated as one or more of low temperature thermal desorption, high temperature thermal desorption and pyrolysis. Preferably the process is conducted in three interconnected thermal screw conveyors which each provide a separate temperature zone. The process is conducted such that the solid media in each of the temperature zones is held under a vacuum. Direct and indirect heating of the solid media in each of the temperature zones is provided. In the pyrolysis zone, an organic binder may be added to encapsulate inorganic contaminants such as metals.

Abstract: An in situ thermal desorption (ISTD) soil remediation system may be used to remove or reduce contamination within soil. Heat may be transferred to the soil from resistively heated, bare metal heater elements. The heater elements may be placed directly within the soil. Alternately, the heater elements may be suspended within casings. The heater elements may be conductive heaters, or the heater elements may be radiative heater elements. The ISTD soil remediation system may include temperature-resistant, chemical resistant, flexible conduits that transport off-gas removed from the ground to a treatment facility. A residence time of off-gas within the conduits may be sufficient to allow the off-gas to cool so that the off-gas may pass to a treatment facility through a manifold and piping made of polymeric material.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds are removed from contaminated soil by introducing one or both of a water soluble peroxygen compound, such as a persulfate, and a permanganate into the soil, either in situ or ex situ, in amounts and under conditions wherein both the soil oxidant demand is satisfied and volatile organic compounds in the soil are oxidized. In a preferred embodiment, when both are used, the peroxygen satisfies the soil oxidant demand and the permanganate oxidizes the volatile organic compounds. Sodium persulfate is the preferred persulfate and potassium permanganate is preferred permanganate. The persulfate and the permanganate may be added to the soil sequentially, or may be mixed together and added as an aqueous solution.

Abstract: An in situ thermal desorption (ISTD) soil remediation system may be used to remove or reduce contamination within soil. Heat may be transferred to the soil from resistively heated, bare metal heater elements. The heater elements may be placed directly within the soil. Alternately, the heater elements may be suspended within casings. The heater elements may be conductive heaters, or the heater elements may be radiative heater elements. The ISTD soil remediation system may include temperature-resistant, chemical resistant, flexible conduits that transport off-gas removed from the ground to a treatment facility. A residence time of off-gas within the conduits may be sufficient to allow the off-gas to cool so that the off-gas may pass to a treatment facility through a manifold and piping made of polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing pollutants from soil with the aid of a stripping gas which involves

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a soil remediation method, and more particularly to a soil remediation method relying on the chemical oxidation of organic contaminants in saturated or unsaturated soil and aided by mechanical agitation of the soil. The method may be carried out in ex-situ or in-situ schemes per the devices disclosed herein.