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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

In-situ steam-extraction treatment. Engineering Bulletin

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5109669

In situ steam extraction removes volatile and semivolatile hazardous contaminants from soil and groundwater without excavation of the hazardous waste. Waste constituents are removed in situ by the technology and are not actually treated. The use of steam enhances the stripping of volatile contaminants from soil and can be used to displace contaminated groundwater under some conditions. The resultant condensed liquid contaminants can be recycled or treated prior to disposal. The steam extraction process is applicable to organic wastes but has not been used for removing insoluble inorganics and metals. Steam is injected into the ground to raise the soil temperature and drive off volatile contaminants. Alternatively, steam can be injected to form a displacement front by steam condensation to displace groundwater. The contaminated liquid and steam condensate are then collected for further treatment. Two types of systems are discussed in the document: the mobile system and the stationary system. The bulletin provides information on the technology applicability, limitations, a description of the technology, types of residuals produced, site requirements, the latest performance data, the status of the technology, and sources for further information.

Research Organization:
Science Applications International Corp., Cincinnati, OH (United States)
OSTI ID:
5109669
Report Number(s):
PB-91-228064/XAB; CNN: EPA-68-C8-0062
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English