Term Paper Jesica Goya 653

University of Calgary
Department of Civil Engineering

Schulich School of Engineering
653 Soil Remediation
Remediation Technologies: itri!cation

Jesica Goya Snchez
April 25th, 2014
Contents
" #ntroduction$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 3
% Di&erent itri!cation 'ethods$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (
%$" #n)situ vitri!cation *#S+$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (
%$"$" Static electrodes$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (
%$"$% 'o,ile electrodes$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ -
%$"$3 .lasma arc torch$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ""
%$% E/)situ vitri!cation$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ "3
%$%$" Cold top$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ "3
3 Conclusion$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ "5
( References$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ "6
1 Introduction
Contamination of the land has ,ecome a serious issue since 0e no0 1no0
the earth has a limited assimilative capacity and not every 0aste can ,e
655 2a3ardous 4aste and Contaminated Site 'anagement 5esica 6oya S7nche3
%
8assimilated8$ There are some contaminated sites in 0hich the contaminants
that are found are too dangerous to ,e removed from site or too di9cult or
e/pensive to remediate 0ith the common technologies: that is 0hen
vitri!cation ,ecomes a very good alternative to remediate a site$
itri!cation is the creation of: usually: an o/ide solid from the melting of the
soil in 0hich the contaminants are found: this decreases the mo,ility of the
ha3ardous su,stances$ The heating process in this methodology is useful for
a lot of soils and organic and inorganic materials$ 4hen the soil is heated
some organic material may ,e destroyed or volatili3ed and has to ,e
properly collected for later disposal$ *Evan1o: C$ ;nd D3om,a1: D$ "--<+
This technology 0or1s 0ith contaminants li1e Radionuclides: halogenated
compounds: arsenic: lead: chromium: mercury: dio/ins: .C=s: pesticides and
her,icides ,ut is not recommended for soils 0ith high levels of organics * >
"?@ ,y 0eight+ *Evan1o: C$ and D3om,a1: D$ "--<+$ #n Aigure " a vitri!ed
monolith is sho0n$
Aigure "$ itri!ed monolith
*http:BB000$1urion$comBapplicationsBsta,ili3ationBcontaminated)soil)at)nuclear)0eapons)site+
2 Diferent Vitrifcation Methods
2.1 IN-SITU VITRIFICATIN !ISV"
3
2.1.1 Static electrodes.
This technology is preferred to e/)situ ,ecause it eliminates the cost of
transporting the material and the ha3ard the e/cavation poses to people
0or1ing on site$
Cne of the procedures for #S is reported in an US E.; =ulletin from "-D-$
The technology is descri,ed to use four electrodes that are inserted in the
soil$ ; current Eo0 is esta,lished ,et0een these electrodes 0ith the help of
graphite and glass frit that are spread ,et0een the electrodes to help
increase soilFs conductivity$ 4ith this current: the soil reaches a "6?? ) %???
GC temperature 0hich is enough to melt silica: one of the main components
of every soil$ ;s the soil is ,eing melted and reaches the desired depth: the
current is removed and the soil allo0ed to cool$ Aigure % is a diagram of an
#S array$ *USE.; -%??$5)%5"AS+
Aigure %$ Diagram of an #S array$ Ta1en from US E.; -%??$5)%5"AS$
; protective cover is placed on top of the system so if there are any volatiles
they can ,e collected and treated ,efore ,eing released into the
atmosphere$ This cover also helps to ,ring in air to help 0ith the com,ustion$
Some of the organic materials may produce volatiles that com,ust 0hen
they reach the surface and the o/ygen$ Ta,le " depicts the e&ectiveness of
#S on di&erent contaminant groups *USE.; -%??$5)%5"AS+$
(
Treatability Grops
!"ecti#ene
ss
$
r
%
a
n
i
c
s
2alogenated volatiles
2alogenated semi)volatiles
Hon)halogenated volatiles
Hon)halogenated semi)
volatiles
.C=s
.esticides
Dio/insBAurans
Crganic cyanides
Crganic corrosives
&
n
o
r
%
a
n
i
c
s
olatile metals
Hon)volatile metals
;s,estos
Radioactive materials
#norganic corrosives
#norganic cyanides
'
e
a
c
t
i
#
e
C/idi3ers
Reducers
Ta,le "$ E&ectiveness of #S on di&erent contaminant groups$ ;dapted from
USE.; -%??$5)%5"AS$
The 6eosafe Corporation 0as a pioneer in the US in the #S technology: their
eIuipment 0as designed to ,e Iuic1ly assem,led on site: to achieve this itFs
set in three over)the)road trailers$ The o&)gas collection hood is an "D m
piece that channels am,ient air and the gasses that are produced from the
process into the o&)gas treatment system *Aigure (+$ The picture of the
assem,led eIuipment is sho0n in Aigure 3 *Ed0ard 5$ Cala,rese: .aul T$
Jostec1i: "--%+$
5
Aigure 3$ Conditions for the #S$ Ta1en from Ed0ard 5$ Cala,rese: .aul T$ Jostec1i: "--%
Aigure ( .icture of the assem,led eIuipment$
http:BB000$geosafecorporation$comBimagesBphotoK?3K,ig$Lpg
This technology can ,e used in a ,ig area ,y changing the position of the
eIuipment to an adLacent portion of untreated soil 0hen the previously
treated soil has ,een allo0ed to cool for four to !ve days$ ;fter removing the
eIuipment: the glass is covered 0ith clean soil$ Aor the soil to reach an
6
am,ient temperature: several months may ,e needed *USE.; -%??$5)
%5"AS+$
The US E.; printed a document in 0hich the advantages: disadvantages and
limitations of the method are stated and sho0n here *USE.; -%??$5)%5"AS+:
Ad#anta%es
#mmo,ili3e all contaminants$
Reduce the volume of 0aste$
#t is done on site$
(isad#anta%es
=ig o& gas collection and treatment system$
)i*itations
There is a limit for organic and inorganic content in soil: this is 5 ) "?
0eight percent for organics and 5 ) "5 0eight percent for inorganics$
#f the contaminated site is saturated 0ith 0ater: it must ,e !rst
evaporated and this 0ill create additional costs and reIuire more time$
There is a limit for the amount of metals *li1e drums+ that can ,e found
in soil: the metal 0eight can range from 5 to "6 percent of the melt
0eight: this limit e/ists ,ecause a ,igger amount could cause shorting
,et0een electrodes$
4hen the soilFs permea,ility is greater than "/"?
)5
cmBsec the
evaporation doesnFt occur as fast and the soil is re)saturated
continuously: this is 0hen a ground 0ater diversion system has to ,e
installed$
#f there are com,usti,le liIuids in an amount greater than 5 to "?@ ,y
0eight a time limit should ,e set for the o&)gas system to contain
com,ustion gas as 0ell as increasing the hood capacity and processing
at a slo0er rate$
<
#f there are com,usti,le solids in an amount greater than ($<@ ,y
0eight a time limit should ,e set for the o&)gas system to contain
com,ustion gas as 0ell as increasing the hood capacity and processing
at a slo0er rate$
Considerations
The ,iggest volume that can ,e treated 0ith these four electrodes is - / - /
- m$ The largest amount of contaminated soil ,y each time that the 0hole
system is set is D?? to ":??? tons$ The ma/imum depth of - m canFt ,e
reached 0hen a - / - area is used ,ecause the mass limit 0ill ,e
accomplished !rst$ Cn the other hand: the smallest area that can ,e treated
and the recommended depth is "$5 to % m$ *USE.; -%??$5)%5"AS+$
There are several con!gurations that can ,e follo0ed in order to achieve
,igger or more speci!c melting 3ones: theyFre sho0n in Aigure 5$
Aigure 5$ arious con!gurations for #S$
Ta1en from E.;B5(?BR)-(B5%?: 'arch "--5$
Cost and operation ti*e
The amount of soil that can ,e treated 0ith #S is ( to 6 tons 0ith a
reIuirement of ?$3 to ?$5 10h ,y ?$(5 1g of soil$ ; "$- '0Bphase po0er level
is reIuired for this operation$ *USE.; -%??$5)%5"AS+
D
The cost for an #S study is estimated at M35? to M(5? per ton ta1ing into
account direct and indirect costs$ The technical implications that 0ould raise
the costs are: the rates for electricity: ho0 much 0ater e/traction is needed:
ho0 deep 0ill the melting go and the chemical analysis reIuired *=y Ed0ard
5$ Cala,rese: .aul T$ Jostec1i: "--%+$
'e%latory criteria
The resulting monoliths from the melting process have ,een analy3ed ,y the
US E.; to chec1 for compliance of the regulatory criteria$ The parameters
that have ,een addressed are *US E.;B5(?BS)-(B5?(+:
"$ Structure: the glass matter has ,een tested for structural strength and
has ,een found that is "? times greater that unreinforced concrete
,oth in tension and compression$
%$ 4eathering: 0hen e/posed to repeated free3eBtha0 and 0etBdry
0eathering tests the mass 0as found to ,e unaltered$
3$ Chemical leaching: The product 0as found to ,e in compliance 0ith the
TCN. *To/ic Characteristics Neaching .rocedure+$
($ =ioto/icity properties: #t has ,een found that the product of #S isnFt
to/ic to life forms that are found near the surface$
2.1.2 +obile electrodes
Aor this variant of the method the four electrodes: in a sIuare con!guration:
are !rst inserted in the ground at a depth of 3? to 6? cm and a conductive
material is lain ,et0een to help start the melting process: once the soil starts
to melt it ,ecomes electrically conductive *US E.;B5(?BR)-(B5%?+$
#n the !rst stages of melting the applied current is lo0: "?? to %?? amps per
phase and a high voltage of (:??? volts per phase$ #n time the soil ,ecomes
more conductive and the voltage decreases and the current increases so the
average voltage needed is of 6?? volts and a current of %:-?? amps$ The
-
total po0er that can ,e supplied to the electrodes is 3$5 '4: "$<5 '4 per
phase *US E.;B5(?BR)-(B5%?+$
Cnce the melting has started and the soil is conductive the lo0ering of the
electrodes can start until reaching the desired depth of melting$ 4ith this
type of array the area that can ,e treated is 6 to "% m 0ith up to 6 m deep$
The rate at 0hich the soil can ,e treated is of four to si/ tons per hour until
the amount of D?? to ":%?? tons has ,een reached *US E.;B5(?BR)-(B5%?+$
Cne of the great advantages of this method is that each electrode if
introduced into the soil independently so each of them can ,e at a di&erent
depth$ This can ,e very helpful in sites 0ith a great amount of metal since if
an electrical short happens: that electrode can ,e raised a,ove the melted
material and ,e reinserted once the melting has moved on past the 3one rich
in metal *US E.;B5(?BS)-(B5?(+$
Considerations
The space that the application of this technology needs starts 0ith the
trailers that are 3 ,y 36$5 m: the protective hood ta1es up "D m in diameter
and the treated area 6( m
%
$ ; safety 3one is also needed ,et0een the
treated area and non contaminated 3ones or ,uildings to ensure there are no
secondary e&ects or damaged infrastructure *US E.;B5(?BS)-(B5?(+$
There are no real climatic limitations for the operation of #S ,ecause the
eIuipment can ,e protected from the elements and only cold 0eathers could
slo0 do0n the !rst stages of melting *US E.;B5(?BS)-(B5?(+$
2.1., -las*a arc torch
This technology can help to the process of vitri!cation in a faster and more
precise 0ay$ .lasma torches can produce temperatures from (??? to <??? GC
0ith an electric energy to heat conversion e9ciency of D5 to -3@ 0ith
energy levels from "?? 10 to "? '4$
"?
This technology 0or1s using a stream of plasma that is generated ,y a high
energy electric arc or ioni3ed gas$ There are t0o types: transferred arc and
non)transferred arc$ The transferred arc has a single electrode in the arc and
an e/ternal oneO the non)transferred arc is formed 0ith t0o electrodes inside
the torch$ The length of the arc: in ,oth cases: is 0hat determines the
amount of heat produced *.atent 5:%<6:%53+$
The procedure for vitri!cation 0ith torches di&ers from the classic one in that
,oreholes are done here covering the entire contaminated area in such an
array that the vitri!ed area of each ,orehole is overlapping the ne/t one to
create a perimeter around the contamination$ Such ,oreholes are protected
from collapse ,y inserting a metal casing that can ,e melted$ ; diagram is
sho0n in Aigure 6 *.atent 5:%<6:%53+$
Aigure 6$ Diagram of the ,orehole array$
Ta1en from .atent 5:%<6:%53
To create this melting of the materials: the torch is lo0ered to the desired
depth to form a column of remediated material: the gases that are produced
during this process are collected in the upper part of the ,orehole and then
treated$ ; side vie0 of the schematics of the process is sho0n in Aigure <
*.atent 5:%<6:%53+$
""
Aigure <$ Side vie0 of the schematics of the process$
Ta1en form .atent 5:%<6:%53
2ere 0e can see that the highest temperatures are found right ,eneath the
plasma arc: there the soil melts and accumulate in a pool$ The ne/t 3one has
a lo0er amount of heat *around -??GC+: the curing 3one: here the soil is
hardened into a ,ric1)li1e material$ He/t 0e have a deplastici3ed 3one 0hich
is not cured ,ut has ,een e/posed to at least %?? GC and all 0ater has ,een
removed: so it ,ecomes rigid and non)a,sor,ent envelope of soil$ The
distance of this 3ones to the plasma torch depend on the moisture content of
the soil: the po0er level of the torch and the nature of the soil *.atent
5:%<6:%53+$

Considerations
This technology 0as developed ,ecause the original method has certain
disadvantages *.atent 5:%<6:%53+:
The process of melting has to start at the surface of the soil and then
proceed do0n0ards$
The depth of operation is not so ,ig: and it canFt operate at selective
depths$
Cnce the melting has occurred ,elo0 ground level: restarting of the
current Eo0 is very di9cult$
"%
Since the ma/imum temperature that can ,e reached is of %??? GC
there are times 0hen soil additives have to ,e added to lo0er the
melting point of some soils$
4hen there is too much 0ater or metal in the soil: the method doesnFt
0or1 properly$
2.2 #$-SITU VITRIFICATIN
2.2.1 Cold top
Cold top e/)situ vitri!cation technology 0as designed to melt soil that has
,een previously dug from site and transported into the He0 5ersey facilities
,elonging to 6eotech Development Corporation *6eotech+$
#n this site: the soil is meted in a dou,le)0alled: 0ater)cooled steel furnace
0ith su,merged)electrode resistance heating$ Aigure D sho0s a scheme of
this furnace: in 0hich the contaminated soil is fed from the top: 0hile the
melt is poured from the ,ottom$ The melting temperature that can ,e
achieved in this furnace is of %D<? GC *US #%A&'()&R-*+&'),A". The furnace
0or1s 0ith a ":35? 1; resistance: and once the voltage has ,een adLusted
the operation is continuous *US #%A&'()&R-*+&'),+$
=efore the contaminated soil is loaded into the furnace: it is loaded 0ith a
mi/ture of sand and aluminaBsilica clay$ This mi/ture is heated in order to
form a molten pool to 0hich the contaminated soil is added$ ;s the melting is
achieved more soil is added to 1eep a 8cold top8$ The con!guration of the
system includes an o&)gas treatment system 0hich provides an integral
treatment of the contaminant *US #%A&'()&R-*+&'),".
"3
Aigure D$ Scheme of cold top furnace$
Ta1en from US #%A&'()&R-*+&'),.
6eotech has vitri!cation facilities in He0 5ersey: He0 Por1$ This furnace can
process soil and create ,loc1s of glass of up to "35 1g 0hich have an
economic value 0hen ,eing used as concrete aggregates: ceramic !,er: etc$
This facility converts 5? tons of contaminated soil each day *US #%A&'()&R-
*+&'),A"$
Cost
The estimated cost for this 1ind of treatment goes from M<< to M%?< per ton:
varying ,ecause of the transportation costs: electricity costs: disposal costs
and potential credits for the vitri!ed product *US #%A&'()&R-*+&'),"A$
Considerations
#n this type of vitri!cation: the advantages of an in)situ operation are lost and
shipping costs should ,e considered as 0ell as the distance to the facilities
and since there are not too many: this is not an option for many sites$ The
mo,ile version of this type of technology is under development: 0hen it
,ecomes opera,le: the costs of transportation and disposal 0ill need to ,e
addressed$
"(
- Conc.usion
The di&erent vitri!cation methods e/posed in this paper have some
di&erences in their performance: ,ut overall theyFre very e&ective in terms of
the con!ning of a dangerous contaminant that is not easy to move and treat
o& site$ This is a very e&ective 0ay of treating 0astes that can remain in site
after vitri!ed and Lust ,e covered 0ith some soil so the site 0ill ,e in
conditions for use$
These methods are safe and are in compliance 0ith the TCN. test 0hich
ensures that no leachate 0ill ,e generated from the remaining glass
monolith$ The issue 0ith this type of technology is the cost: 0hich can ,e
Iuite high so it should ,e considered for a site in 0hich the contaminant is
too dangerous to ,e handled or 0here too many other technologies 0ould
have to ,e used: and instead if vitri!cation is used only one method 0ould
have to ,e applied$
The amount of space that is needed for the installation of all the eIuipment
is something that needs to ,e considered since a large space has to ,e
availa,le$
Cther limitations are the noise and light that comes from the remediation
site: even if the other site characteristics are met: if this 0ere to ,e
implemented near a neigh,ourhood people 0ould have to agree to this 1ind
of operation: since it is operated continuously$
This type of methodology should ,e considered as a good option for
remediation of complicated sites 0hen the site characteristics allo0 for the
installation of the system$
( Re/erences
"5
United States Environmental .rotection ;gency *USE.;+$ S#TE
Technology Capsule$ 6eotech Development Corporation Cold Top E/)
Situ itri!cation Technology$ #%A&'()&R-*+&'),0 'arch "--D$
United States Environmental .rotection ;gency *USE.;+$ 6eotech: #c$
Cold Top E/)Situ itri!cation System$ #nnovative Technology Report$ US
#%A&'()&R-*+&'),. Decem,er "---$
United States Environmental .rotection ;gency *USE.;+$ #nnovative
Technology$ #n)Situ itri!cation$ Directive -%??$5)%5"AS$ Hovem,er
"-D-
United States Environmental .rotection ;gency *USE.;+$ Technology
Screening 6uide for Radioactively Contaminated Sites$ E.; (?%)R)-6)
?"<$ Hovem,er "--6
United States Environmental .rotection ;gency *USE.;+$ Engineering
=ulletin$ #n Situ itri!cation Treatment: US E.;B5(?BS)-(B5?(: Ccto,er
"--($
Evan1o: C$ and D3om,a1: D$ "--< Remediation of metals)contaminated
soils and ground0ater
Cala,rese: Ed0ard and Jostec1i: .aul$ .rinciples and .ractices for
.etroleum Contaminated Soils$ CRC .ress: "--%$
http:BB,oo1s$google$caB,oo1sBa,outB
.rinciplesKandK.racticesKforK.etroleumKC$htmlQidRoL%6C;D)
6DCSredirKescRy
6eosafe Corporation #n Situ itri!cation$ #nnovative Technology
Evaluation Report$ US E.;B5(?BR)-(B5%?$ 'arch "--5
Circeo: 5r$ et al$ 8#n)Situ remediation and vitri!cation of contaminated
soils: deposits and ,uried materials$8 .atent 5:%<6:%53$ - Septem,er
"--%$
=rouns: R$ et al$ 8#n)situ itri!cation of soil8 .atent (:3<6:5-D$ "5 'arch
"-D3$
"6

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University of Calgary

Department of Civil Engineering

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