Heating of solid earthen material, measuring moisture and resistivity
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.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- Assignee:
- Battelle Memorial Inst., Richland, WA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5330291; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-882996
- OSTI ID:
- 7201880
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 13 May 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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