Vacuum method for removing soil contaminants utilizing thermal conduction heating
US5190405A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB09C2101/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An in situ method for removal of contaminants from soil imposes a vacuum on the soil through perforated heater wells that are positioned in the soil. The heater wells heat the soil to elevated temperatures by thermal conduction. The heater wells are permeable to vapors which emanate from the soil when heated and which are drawn toward the heater wells by the imposed vacuum. An impermeable flexible sheeting on the soil surface reduces the amount of air that is being pulled into the heater well from the atmosphere. A thermal insulator covers the soil surface and reduces heat losses from the soil surface. The heater wells are connected to a vacuum manifold for collection of vapors. A heat front moves away from the heater wells through the soil by thermal conduction, and the superposition of heat from a plurality of heater wells results in a more uniform temperature rise throughout the well pattern. Soil contaminants are removed by vaporization, in situ thermal decomposition, oxidation, combustion, and by steam distillation. Both the presence of water vapor and the low pressure results in vaporization of the contaminants at temperatures well below their normal boiling points. Moreover,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.