Chemical/physical Remediation

Technologies
Kara Reed
Kirstyn White

Thermal De-sorption
Physical separation process designed to

volatilize water and organic contaminants

Not designed to destroy organics
Three types:
Direct fired
Indirect fired
Indirect heated

 High or low-temp thermal de-sorption

Offgas is collected and either:

Incinerated in afterburner
Collected on activated charcoal
Recovered in condensation equipment

 Benefits

Direct fired:
Kiln temp much lower than that of incinerator
Lighter for transport, less setup & maintenance

Indirect fired:
W/ offgas condensing system, no limitation on metals
remediated

Drawbacks:

Specific particle size requirements

De-watering may be needed to reduce moisture
Highly abrasive contaminants damage processor unit

Soil Flushing
In-situ
Co-solvent solution
Breaks down contaminants

Dissolved contaminants leach into groundwater;

Collected with extraction wells and treated
Useful for: heavy metals, halogenated solvents,

aromatics, gasoline, fuels, PCBs

 Benefits:

Transportable
Low cost
Closed system (unaffected by external conditions)
Drawbacks:

Leaves co-solvent residuals in soil

Not applicable to low-permeability soils

Composting
Ex-situ
Microorganisms break down explosives

Converts them into harmless by-products

Provide microorganisms with nutrients

Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

Some additives: manure & potato wastes

 Benefits:

No harmful by-products
Costs less than excavation & incineration
Can sell humus-rich soil for $10/ton
Will enhance region if soil replaced
Drawbacks:

Process may take extended period of time

Must remove soil, potentially disturbing biota and
wildlife
Must test for optimal mixture of contaminated soil
and additives

Enhanced Bioremediation
In-situ
Stimulating microorganisms present in soil

Circulating water-based solutions through soil

Aerobic or anaerobic microroganisms

 Benefits:

Soil can remain in place

No harmful by-products
Cost-effective
Drawbacks:

Slows at lower temperatures

May take years to degrade
Not applicable to highly heterogeneous subsurface
environments (i.E. Clay)

Other Remediation Alternatives

www.frtr.gov/matrix2/section3/table3_2.html

Lists best and worst alternatives