Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for treatment of contaminated soil particles

US5271694A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
7References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 1993
Grant dateDec 21, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC09K3/32
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Soil that is contaminated by hydrocarbons or other deleterious chemicals is processed through a soil shredding apparatus to break the soil into small particles having a substantially uniform maximum size. The particles are then conveyed to a location above a deposit area and directed onto the deposit area to form a growing pile of contaminated particles. Concurrently, a substantially cone shaped spray of an aqueous solution containing anti-contaminating agents, such as bacteriological microbes is sprayed on the pile. The configuration of the conical pile, taken in conjunction with the application of the liquid spray produces a rolling of the particles down the sides of the growing conical pile, thereby insuring the contacting of substantially all of the surfaces of each particle by the liquid containing the decontaminating agents. Concurrently, the moisture content of the conical pile of contaminated particles is periodically checked, and the flow rate of the liquid spray is appropriately adjusted to maintain a desired minimum water content and concentration of anti-contaminating agents within the conical pile of soil particles.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.