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Title: Heating of solid earthen material, measuring moisture and resistivity

Abstract

The present invention includes a method of treating solid earthen material having volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants. Six electrodes are inserted into a region of earthen material to be treated in a substantially equilateral hexagonal arrangement. Six phases of voltages are applied to corresponding electrodes. The voltages are adjusted within a first range of voltages to create multiple current paths between pairs of the electrodes. The current paths are evenly distributed throughout the region defined by the electrodes and therefore uniformly heat the region. The region of earthen material is heated to a temperature sufficient to substantially remove volatile and semi-volatile contaminants by promoting microbial action. This temperature is less than a melting temperature of the earthen material. 13 figs.

Inventors:
; ;
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
7201880
Patent Number(s):
US 5330291; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-882996
Assignee:
Battelle Memorial Inst., Richland, WA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 13 May 1992
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; SOILS; ELECTRIC HEATING; VOLATILE MATTER; BIODEGRADATION; CLEANING; IN-SITU PROCESSING; LAND RECLAMATION; MICROORGANISMS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; DECOMPOSITION; HEATING; MATTER; PROCESSING; 540250* - Environment, Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (1990-)

Citation Formats

Heath, W O, Richardson, R L, and Goheen, S C. Heating of solid earthen material, measuring moisture and resistivity. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Heath, W O, Richardson, R L, & Goheen, S C. Heating of solid earthen material, measuring moisture and resistivity. United States.
Heath, W O, Richardson, R L, and Goheen, S C. 1994. "Heating of solid earthen material, measuring moisture and resistivity". United States.
@article{osti_7201880,
title = {Heating of solid earthen material, measuring moisture and resistivity},
author = {Heath, W O and Richardson, R L and Goheen, S C},
abstractNote = {The present invention includes a method of treating solid earthen material having volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants. Six electrodes are inserted into a region of earthen material to be treated in a substantially equilateral hexagonal arrangement. Six phases of voltages are applied to corresponding electrodes. The voltages are adjusted within a first range of voltages to create multiple current paths between pairs of the electrodes. The current paths are evenly distributed throughout the region defined by the electrodes and therefore uniformly heat the region. The region of earthen material is heated to a temperature sufficient to substantially remove volatile and semi-volatile contaminants by promoting microbial action. This temperature is less than a melting temperature of the earthen material. 13 figs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7201880}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jul 19 00:00:00 EDT 1994},
month = {Tue Jul 19 00:00:00 EDT 1994}
}