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Full-Scale In-Situ Thermal Desorption of PCB-Contaminated Soil at the Carbone Savoie Site in Lannemezan, France

A 4,050 m³ full-scale remediation treated PCB-contaminated soil in four successive batches using 92 thermal wells, with dewatering, heating to 250°C and vapour recovery designed to reduce PCB concentrations to below 10 mg/kg.

SITE DESCRIPTION

       Treated Volume

  4,050 m³ of contaminated soil (7,290 T)

          Thermal technology

   In-Situ Treatment (ISTD, full scale) 

       Main contaminant

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls)

        Site challenges

Former cathode/graphite manufacturing site (1938-2008); perched groundwater at 2.5 m required a concrete cut-off wall around the treatment area

        Project Timeline

2013 - 2014



SOLUTION

          Treatment Method

Full-scale In-Situ Thermal Desorption, 4 batches of 22.5 x 10 x 4.5 m

          Treatment program

92 heating wells, target temperature 250°C

         Contaminated Vapors Management

Oil-water separator, liquid-phase granular activated carbon (GAC) and GAC vapor filter

       Process control

Dewatering, then ISTD heating, then vapor recovery/condensation · thermocouple monitoring of subsurface temperatures


RESULTS

✅         4,050 m³ of contaminated soil treated (full scale).

✅          Guaranteed-performance contract target of below 10 mg/kg PCB pursued under French Permanent Solution norms

✅         Project delivered as a turn-key design, construction and operation contract for Carbone Savoie (Rio Tinto Alcan Group)





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