Patent · US Expired

Method of reducing the concentration of recalcitrant organic contamination in a soil matrix

US6403034B1 · kind B1 · utility

28Cited by
4References
21Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 20, 1999
Grant dateJun 11, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 20, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB09C1/08
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of reducing the concentration of recalcitrant organic contamination in a soil matrix. The method includes the steps of incubating the contaminated soil matrix with unacidified ozone sufficient to reduce the concentration of the recalcitant organic contamination in the soil matrix by about 10% to about 15%; and then applying unacidified ozone to the soil matrix sufficient to substantially reduce the concentration of the recalcitrant organic contamination in the soil matrix. During the incubation phase, the ozone demand of competitive, non-contaminant ozone consumers in the soil is satisfied. Additionally, during the incubation phase, ozone conditions the contaminated soil matrix to prepare the recalcitrant organic contamination for subsequent rapid and substantial destruction. When the concentration of the recalcitrant organic contamination has been reduced by from about 10% to about 15% in the soil, the incubation phase has ended such that the application of additional unacidified ozone to the soil matrix rapidly and substantially reduces the concentration of the recalcitrant organic contamination in the soil matrix.

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