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Title: In situ vitrification: An innovative thermal treatment technology

Abstract

In situ vitrification is a thermal treatment process that converts contaminated soil into a chemically inert, stable glass and crystalline product. A square array of four electrodes are inserted into the ground to the desired treatment depth. Because the soil is not electrically conductive once the moisture has been driven off, a conductive mixture of flaked graphite and glass frit is placed among the electrodes to act as the starter path. An electrical potential is applied to the electrodes, which establishes an electrical current in the starter path. The resultant power heats the starter path and surrounding soil up to 3600F, well above the initial melting temperature or fusion temperature of soils. The normal fusion temperature of soil ranges between 2000 and 2500F. The graphite starter path is eventually consumed by oxidation, and the current is transferred to the molten soil, which is now electrically conductive. As the vitrified zone grows, it incorporates nonvolatile elements and destroys organic components by pyrolysis. The pyrolyzed byproducts migrate to the surface of the vitrified zone, where they combust in the presence of oxygen. A hood placed over the processing area provides confinement for the combustion gases, and the gases are drawn into themore » off-gas treatment system.« less

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6287796
Report Number(s):
PNL-SA-14843; CONF-870695-8
ON: DE87012169
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 80. annual meeting of the Air Pollution Control Association, New York, NY, USA, 1 Jun 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; CHEMICAL WASTES; WASTE PROCESSING; SOILS; VITRIFICATION; IN-SITU PROCESSING; METALS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PYROLYSIS; REMEDIAL ACTION; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; DECOMPOSITION; ELEMENTS; MANAGEMENT; PROCESSING; THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTES; 510200* - Environment, Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Fitzpatrick, V F, Timmerman, C L, and Buelt, J L. In situ vitrification: An innovative thermal treatment technology. United States: N. p., 1987. Web.
Fitzpatrick, V F, Timmerman, C L, & Buelt, J L. In situ vitrification: An innovative thermal treatment technology. United States.
Fitzpatrick, V F, Timmerman, C L, and Buelt, J L. 1987. "In situ vitrification: An innovative thermal treatment technology". United States.
@article{osti_6287796,
title = {In situ vitrification: An innovative thermal treatment technology},
author = {Fitzpatrick, V F and Timmerman, C L and Buelt, J L},
abstractNote = {In situ vitrification is a thermal treatment process that converts contaminated soil into a chemically inert, stable glass and crystalline product. A square array of four electrodes are inserted into the ground to the desired treatment depth. Because the soil is not electrically conductive once the moisture has been driven off, a conductive mixture of flaked graphite and glass frit is placed among the electrodes to act as the starter path. An electrical potential is applied to the electrodes, which establishes an electrical current in the starter path. The resultant power heats the starter path and surrounding soil up to 3600F, well above the initial melting temperature or fusion temperature of soils. The normal fusion temperature of soil ranges between 2000 and 2500F. The graphite starter path is eventually consumed by oxidation, and the current is transferred to the molten soil, which is now electrically conductive. As the vitrified zone grows, it incorporates nonvolatile elements and destroys organic components by pyrolysis. The pyrolyzed byproducts migrate to the surface of the vitrified zone, where they combust in the presence of oxygen. A hood placed over the processing area provides confinement for the combustion gases, and the gases are drawn into the off-gas treatment system.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6287796}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}

Conference:
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