The Problem...
Environmental consultants are routinely faced with environmental remediation scenarios comprised of soils impacted by hazardous constituents. Many times these projects are classified as difficult to remediate via in-situ methods due to factors relating to moisture content, permeability, hydraulic conductivity, non-uniform particle sizing, and soil type. These factors reduce a consultant’s ability to accurately project remediation performance, schedule, and costs to their client.
Conventional Thermal Desorption Systems
Thermal Desorption systems used for soil remediation have been available for over two decades, and most often utilize a rotating kiln as the primary treatment chamber. Generally these systems are differentiated into two classes by their primary chamber heating methods: Direct – Fired and Indirect – Fired. Historically, direct-fired systems have been less costly and simpler to operate than their indirect-fired counterparts, but unless a project is subject to CERCLA, these systems can be difficult to permit for sites such as those involving soils classified hazardous. Additionally, direct-fired units are inherently subject to producing much larger vent flows, and are faced with the issue of managing Hydrochloric Acid that is created when chlorinated off-gasses are treated by thermal oxidation prior to discharge. Although indirect-fired rotary desorbers are very well equipped to meet most soil remediation project performance and regulatory standards with a high degree of confidence, these systems are typically very large and technically more complex to operate than direct-fired units. Mobilization, setup and commissioning of a unit of this type can not be equitably justified at the majority of smaller sites.
Midwest Soil Remediation
MSR provides on-site, ex-situ thermal soil remediation services throughout North America at project sites varying greatly in size, soil characteristics, contaminants, remedial goals, geographic and climatic conditions, and local regulatory requirements. Applying Low Temperature Thermal Desorption technology to these highly variable project conditions for nearly 20 years has necessitated MSR to acquire several unique mobile treatment systems.
A New Soil Remediation Solution
In recent years, MSR identified potential soil remediation projects comprised of certain conditions common to one another that prevented vendors from proposing conventional thermal treatment, or at best proposing services at costs uncompetitive to off-site incineration or disposal in RCRA permitted landfills. Primarily these projects consisted of current or former dry cleaners, electronic manufacturing, chemical formulating/distribution, industrial plastics, and other industries utilizing de-greasers. These types of sites are commonly comprised of land banned soils impacted with F listed wastes at quantities of less than 10,000 tons, and may be located within close proximity to residential or commercial properties. At many projects, site owners are understandably reluctant in attempting in-situ technologies due to time restraints or the uncertainty of those technologies, especially in cases involving dense soils with high cohesive properties.
After several years of providing mobile thermal treatment services, MSR identified the difficulties of applying the current technologies to many of these sites. MSR also realized the need for a new type of soil remediation system that would not only be technically appropriate to these sites, but be based on a simple process, and cost competitive. The result is the 195I thermal desorption system.
MSR has operated this 195I system from coast to coast at 15 sites located in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and Washington. For more information regarding this treatment method, please check out the system information, or call (800) 870-0375.
Check out our system information