Abstract: A hot air circulation type indirect thermal desorption-based soil remediation system and method, belonging to the technical field of soil remediation. The system includes a thermal desorption reactor, a dust remover, a hot air circulating fan, a hot air heater, an air preheater, a combustion fan and a combustion device. By using thermal desorption gas generated by soil being heated and volatilized as a heat transfer medium and by a circular heating manner, hot air efficiently transfers heat to the soil by contact, and the high-temperature fume is kept from direct contact with the soil, so the system has the advantages of high treatment capacity, small equipment scale and the like.

Abstract: An emissions recycling system is used on a vehicle towing an agricultural implement to enrich the fertility of the soil. The system includes an exhaust collector for collecting exhaust emissions from the internal combustion engine of the towing vehicle and an exhaust distribution system for injecting at least a portion of the exhaust emissions collected by the exhaust collector into the ground worked by the ground working tools of the agricultural implement. Fertility of the soil is enriched by bioactivity within the soil's micro flora which consumes the greenhouse gas and emissions.

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: A containment chamber is constructed by excavating a pit at the site of oil-contaminated sand and lining the pit with an impermeable, heat-resistant, flexible plastic liner. An array of spaced apart heating assemblies is positioned to cover the bottom of the chamber. Each heating assembly may include an elongate linear electric resistance heater positioned within a tubular slotted sand screen. The containment chamber is filled with a charge of contaminated sand. Solvent, such as diesel fuel, is pumped into the elongate passageways defined between the heaters and screens. The heaters are actuated to vaporize the solvent, which moves through the screen slots and convectively permeates the charge. The vapor transfers heat to the oily sand and condenses. Condensed solvent and heated oil drain and are recovered from the chamber.

Abstract: A method of treating a site containing perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) is described. The method and apparatus treats the site with fine oxygen/ozone gas bubbles delivered with a hydroperoxide coating and solution which is activated by self-created temperature or applied temperature to raise the oxidation potential above 2.9 volts. Once begun, the reaction is often self-promulgating until the PFC is exhausted, if PFC concentrations are sufficiently elevated.

Abstract: A remediation process wherein fresh water is pumped into a tank for heating by a heater and pumped to Filter and UV Light and reactor producing cavitation and then pumped to a chemical mixing tank wherein a promoter oxidizers is added before solution is pumped from mixing tank to spray injectors for treating contaminated soil.

Abstract: Systems for treating contaminated soil are described herein. One system includes a soil chamber that includes one or more walls and at least one floor; at least one heater attached to or inside of at least one of the walls; and at least one heater coupled to or in the floor. Two or more of the walls enclose an interior of the soil chamber. At least one of the walls is configured to move between a closed position during heating of the soil chamber, and an open position that allows a soil moving vehicle to access an interior of the soil chamber to provide or remove soil to and from the soil chamber. At least one wall heater and at least one floor heater provide heat that transfers from the heaters to the contaminated soil in the soil chamber.

Abstract: An emissions recycling system is used on a vehicle towing an agricultural implement to enrich the fertility of the soil. The system includes an exhaust collector for collecting exhaust emissions from the internal combustion engine of the towing vehicle and an exhaust distribution system for injecting at least a portion of the exhaust emissions collected by the exhaust collector into the ground worked by the ground working tools of the agricultural implement. Fertility of the soil is enriched by bioactivity within the soil's micro flora which consumes the greenhouse gas and emissions.

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 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: An emissions recycling system is used on a vehicle towing an agricultural implement to enrich the fertility of the soil. The system includes an exhaust collector for collecting exhaust emissions from the internal combustion engine of the towing vehicle and an exhaust distribution system for injecting at least a portion of the exhaust emissions collected by the exhaust collector into the ground worked by the ground working tools of the agricultural implement. Fertility of the soil is enriched by bioactivity within the soil's micro flora which consumes the greenhouse gas and emissions.

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: 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 method for modifying soil and a method for producing composite Elastomer of the soil are disclosed. The method for modifying soil includes drying, pulverizing, sieving, and purifying the soil to obtain soil powder, then dynamically heating the powder and adding surfactant, which includes coupling agent, polysiloxane having reactive functional, emulsifier of organosilicon and aliphatic amine, and water, and then drying the above obtained powder to obtain modified soil. The modified soil and acrylic acid copolymer emulsion are mixed with plasticizer, foaming agent, etc. to form a composite body which is used to produce elastomer floor board, elastomer wall brick, composite soil skin material, and so on. No emission of toxic gas and evaporation of organic solvent can be attained during production and use of the invention, and performance of the product is same as or has superiority over rubber in compression deformation rate, rebound elasticity and durability.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a soil containing contaminants is disclosed. At least one heat-conductive pipe, is introduced in the soil which is in good working condition under negative pressure and provided with perforations. The soil is heated by thermal conduction by circulating a heated fluid through the heat-conductive pipe thereby obtaining a contaminant vapor. The contaminant vapor is forced into the heat-conductive pipe through a negative pressure present in the pipe, and transported in the heat-conductive pipe out of the soil. The contaminant vapor is incinerated in order to at least partly remove the soil contaminants. The method also involves the step of re-using the heat energy obtained by incinerating the contaminant vapor for heating the soil in order to vaporize the remaining contaminants in the soil. A nearly closed loop system for cleaning a soil containing contaminants is disclosed.

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 process for the fractional distillation of crude oil, which comprises the steps of: feeding a continuous current of crude oil at 310–400° C. into a turbomixer comprising a tubular cylindrical body (1) provided with a rotor (9) formed with helically oriented paddles (10) and rotatably supported inside the body, along with a continuous current of steam; subjecting both currents to the mechanical action of the paddled rotor (9), so as to create a thin tubular dynamic turbulent layer, which is discharged and fed continuously into a fractioning column, at a predetermined height level in the column, to produce an upward-flowing vapor current and a downward-flowing liquid current therein; and optionally discharging the downward-flowing liquid current continuously from the column bottom, and feeding it continuously into the turbomixer in the same direction as the crude oil current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, composition and apparatus for stabilizing mercury and other heavy metals present in a particulate material such that the metals will not leach from the particulate material. The method generally involves the application of a metal reagent, a sulfur-containing compound, and the addition of oxygen to the particulate material, either through agitation, sparging or the addition of an oxygen-containing compound.

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. Contaminated soil at the plurality of treatment sites may be treated with equipment in a central treatment facility. Treatment of the plurality of sites may be coordinated such that equipment in the central treatment facility operates substantially continuously as soil is delivered to, treated at, and removed from various treatment sites. The plurality of sites may be treated in a sequential manner, in which soil is delivered to one site, treated at a second site, and removed from a third site substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A process and apparatus 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: 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: 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 plasma process and equipment for eliminating toxic or hazardous organic compounds from different materials, particularly petroleum and oil contaminated soils. The process and equipment can also be used to remove the hydrocarbons contained in the sludge formed at the bottom of petroleum storage tanks. The process utilizes a plasma system for providing the necessary energy to the contaminated soil or sludge for the hydrocarbons to volatilize, keeping the temperature inside the reactor between 400 and 900° C. The volatilized compounds after leaving the reactor are collected in condensers, where the hydrocarbons can be recovered, in the form of a liquid hydrocarbon (oil). The contaminated material is continuously fed into the reactor from one end, while the clean material is removed from the other end of the reactor. The atmosphere inside the reactor is maintained neutral or reducing in order to prevent the oxidation of the hydrocarbons. Minimum amounts of off gases are generated in the process.

Abstract: A method of remediating soil that contains heavy metals comprises the steps of removing and sieving heavy metal-containing soil to separate stones and gravel, and treating the sieved soil, in a thin layer kept in a strongly turbulent state, with a solution of an alkali sulfide at a temperature of at least 50° C.

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: A process for treating an organohalogen compound-containing soil or ash of the present invention, comprises: mixing the organohalogen compound-containing soil or ash with an organohalogen compound-decomposition catalyst composed of a composite catalyst comprising an amine compound and iron compound particles, and having an average particle size of 0.01 to 2.0 &mgr;m, a phosphorus content of not more than 0.02% by weight, a sulfur content of not more than 0.3% by weight and a sodium content of not more than 0.3% by weight; and having an apparent density (&rgr;a) of not more than 0.8 g/ml and a catalytic activity capable of decomposing not less than 50% by weight of monochlorobenzene; and heat-treating the obtained mixture at a temperature of 150 to 600° C. The method for treating an organohalogen compound-containing soil or ash in order to effectively decompose dioxins and dioxin precursors such as aromatic organohalogen compounds or aliphatic organohalogen compounds, e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the stabilisation of soluble chromium in contaminated solids by down draft sintering by mixing chromium contaminated solids with different proportions of CaO, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, SO4 and solid carbon bearing waste materials to maintain the desired ratio of CaO/SiO2, SiO2/Al2O3+Fe2O3 and SO3/Cr in the mixture. The Cr(VI) and chromates are converted into non-leachable compounds.

Abstract: A method of remediating soil that contains heavy metals comprises the steps of removing and sieving heavy metal-containing soil to separate stones and gravel, and treating the sieved soil, in a thin layer kept in a strongly turbulent state, with a solution of an alkali sulfide at a temperature of at least 50° C.

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 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.