THERMALLY ACCELERATED VACUUM EXTRACTION AND BIOREMEDIATION

In situ Thermal Accelerated Vacuum Extraction and Bioremediation processes are proposed for feasibility study. Both Vacuum Extraction and Bioremediation are acceptable means for in situ soil decontamination; however, both have practical limits related to soil temperature. Vacuum Extraction is limited to semi-volatiles, a vapor pressure/molecular weight criteria, while bioremediation is vastly affected by soil temperature and climatic variations. The project objective is to study the effectiveness of a novel, low-cost and hazard-free technology to warm soil for the purpose of accelerating these known and acceptable processes without the use of radio frequency or electricity. Specific objectives are to: 1. Improve an existing model for the flow of heat from the company's proprietary energy source. 2. Study how heat flow varies with air flowing through the soil using the proposed warming technology. 3. Estimate the per-ton cost for a field site remediation application.