Microwave enhanced thermal decontamination of soil

Results of bench-scale and pilot-scale investigations on the remediation of contaminated sand and soil using microwave energy are presented. Microwave radiation penetrates the soil and heats water and contaminants. Developing vapors are withdrawn from the soil. The experiments suggest that microwave heating is an effective soil remediation technology. The process is rapid as compared to other methods, and its efficiency depends on the dielectric and physicochemical properties of the soil and the contaminant. It allows for the removal of volatile and semivolatile components, and it is especially effective in the case of polar compounds. In the presence of soil moisture, the removal of both polar and nonpolar compounds can be described quantitatively in terms of steam distillation. The remediation proceeds at a temperature not exceeding 100 °C. It is of particular importance in the case of soil rich in organic matter, where too high a temperature could result in carbonization of humic substances. The remediation of trichloroethylene- contaminated sand in a pilot-scale microwave heating system simulating the in-situ process is also reported. The profiles of temperature and contaminant concentration in the remediation zone are presented. The pilot-scale investigations indicate a possibility of the use of microwave heating as an in-situ remediation technique. The use of inexpensive low-power generators for the supply of power to individual antennas may help to reduce costs and allow for an unconstrained design of the array of antennas in the ground.; Results of bench-scale and pilot-scale investigations on the remediation of contaminated sand and soil using microwave energy are presented. Microwave radiation penetrates the soil and heats water and contaminants. Developing vapors are withdrawn from the soil. The experiments suggest that microwave heating is an effective soil remediation technology. The process is rapid as compared to other methods, and its efficiency depends on the dielectric and physicochemical properties of the soil and the contaminant. It allows for the removal of volatile and semivolatile components, and it is especially effective in the case of polar compounds. In the presence of soil moisture, the removal of both polar and nonpolar compounds can be described quantitatively in terms of steam distillation. The remediation proceeds at a temperature not exceeding 100 °C. It is of particular importance in the case of soil rich in organic matter, where too high a temperature could result in carbonization of humic substances. The remediation of trichloroethylene-contaminated sand in a pilot-scale microwave heating system simulating the in-situ process is also reported. The profiles of temperature and contaminant concentration in the remediation zone are presented. The pilot-scale investigations indicate a possibility of the use of microwave heating as an in-situ remediation technique. The use of inexpensive low-power generators for the supply of power to individual antennas may help to reduce costs and allow for an unconstrained design of the array of antennas in the ground.