Thermal desorption of 7.500 Tons of PCB contaminated soil. The history of the clean-up site was an underground pipe manufacturer. During initial site evaluation, the primary contaminants were identified as PCB’s, TCE, PCE, and PAH’s. A pilot test burn was conducted at Haemers Technologies’ facility to determine the achievable cleanup levels for the public Record of Decision (ROD) using thermal desorption technology. Excavation and pre-screening took place on location, and the contaminated soil to be thermally treated was transported to Haemers Technologies’ facility approximately 12 miles away.

Haemers Technologies was involved in the initial pilot test burn to demonstrate that thermal desorption could achieve reasonable clean up levels for the project. This was the only technology that satisfied EPA’s  requirements. Haemers Technologies then proceeded to the actual site cleanup, establishing a facility protocol for receiving, handling, processing, and testing of the soil for thermal desorption treatment, as well as the set-up of all environmental, health and safety procedures for the operation of the thermal unit.

The project was performed by means of a parallel flow thermal desorption unit, with a nominal capacity of 50 t/h, equipped with an oxidizer, gas coolers, and bag house. Production was limited due to the moisture content and the soil processing temperature.

The soil to be treated was highly contaminated with PCB’s below 50 ppm, TCE, PCE, PAH’s, had a high clay content, and a relatively high moisture content. Other petroleum related contaminants were also found in the soil. The clean-up levels were 100 mg/kg for the heavy petroleum. All processed soil was returned to the site of origin as required by the ROD.

This project was designed and executed by the current Haemers Technologies team, when they worked within the legal entity TPS Technologies Inc, which belongs to the Haemers Technologies group.