1.ADVANTAGES

The application of Thermopile© in-situ is an innovative approach in the field of remediation. Even in the most constraint circumstances, the use of Thermopile© allows, without excavation, for the complete volatilisation of organics pollutants in the soil, as a result of a heating process. The gathered gases are thereupon completely oxidised in a combustion chamber. A difference with the majority of other treatment methods is that desorption releases the customer from all environmental liabilities for the cleaned soil (even if target values or legislation on contaminated soil change in the future).

As treatment goes relatively fast (a couple of weeks per batch), the duration and related costs and nuisances of a site operation are minimised.

1.3. Sustainable remediation

Where the classical way of thermal treatment is characterised by high energy consumption, Deep Green felt driven in the development of Thermopile© to strongly reduce energy consumption. The recuperated contaminants (after volatilisation) are re-used in the heating process of the soil and serve as fuel! The polluted soil and other material are treated and recycled on the site, and consequently avoid the nuisances and risks of transport. Pre-eminently being a solution of recycling, the thermal desorption fits perfectly in a sustainable development perspective.

Compared to traditional thermal treatment, atmospheric emissions are reduced with a factor 2 to 10 when the Thermopile© process is applied.

The nuisances of noise and smell are minimal. There are no blocked roads, there is no traffic of trucks for transport of soil.

Deep Green guarantees to achieve the clean-up targets.

Thermal desorption is a technical solution that has the flexibility to manage and control eventual surprises that could occur while excavating as well as regarding the concentrations of pollutants. There are only minimal uncertainties with regards to the effectiveness of the treatment.

The parameters of treatment are easily mastered. As the development and progress of the Thermopile© process is highly predictable, Deep Green can guarantee timing for the remediation process as well.

2. LIMITATIONS

2.1. Type of contaminants

Thermal desorption can only be applied on organic pollutants and cyanides, but has no impact on the concentration of heavy metals (with the exception of mercury), as the boiling point of heavy metals is over 600 °C. On the other hand, the presence of heavy metals in the soil does not have any impact on the feasibility of a thermal desorption treatment.

2.2. Groundwater

Thermopile© cannot be applied in the groundwater zone yet, as currently energy consumption is too high. Therefore, in order to use Thermopile© when groundwater is present, it must first be lowered with traditional pump& treat methods before Thermopile© can be used.