A Study of a Combined Microwave and Thermal
Desorption Process for Contaminated Soil |
Sang-An Ha, and Kyoung-sik Choi† |
Department of Environmental Engineering, Center for Green Fusion Technology, Silla University, Busan 617-736, Korea |
Corresponding Author:
Kyoung-sik Choi ,Tel: +82-51-999-5256, Fax: +82-51-999-5834, Email: kschoi@silla.ac.kr |
Received: August 27, 2010; Accepted: November 22, 2010. |
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ABSTRACT |
In order to treat soil contaminated with high percentages of water and petroleum, the combined microwave and thermal desorption
process was studied, which was composed of the consecutive connection of two pre-treatment processes. For the thickness of the
contaminated soil layer on the transfer conveyor belt, the optimal total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal rate was studied with
respect to the duration of microwave exposure in the consecutive process combined with thermal desorption. The TPH removal rate
when the contaminated soil layer thickness was 1 cm at 6 kW of microwave power was 80%. The removals rates for 2 and 3 cm soil layer
thicknesses were both 70%. Under identical experimental conditions, the TPH removal rate for the microwave pre-treatment, when
considering the soil particle size, was over 70%. The lowest TPH removal rate was achieved with a particle diameter of 2.35 mm. For
contaminated soil with 30% water content, 6 kW and a thermal desorption temperature of 6000C were the optimal operational conditions
for the removal of THP. However, considering the fuel consumption cost, 4 kW and a thermal desorption temperature of 3000C
would be the most economic conditions. |
Keywords:
Total petroleum hydrocarbon | Thermal desorption | Microwave | Thickness | Particle size |
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