MICROWAVE DECONTAMINATION OF OIL POLLUTED SOILS

摘要

The paper presents a technical solution for the in situ utilization of microwave energy both for the decontamination of soils polluted by oil (petroleum) products and removal (decomposition and oxidation) of the gaseous pollutants (CO, SO_2, NO_x, VOCs - volatile organic compounds and PM-particulate matter) extracted from soil. In order to apply the soil decontamination treatment, the mobile equipment has to be moved on the soil surface over the polluted area, which is subject to the microwave irradiation. The equipment moving is performed in a continuous mode at a variable speed depending on the soil pollution degree. The soil decontamination installation consists of a microwave applicator for the soil in-depth heating, aiming at decomposing the polluting organic compounds. The degree of microwave absorption in soil can be enhanced by soil additivation. The resulting volatile compounds are afterwards treated in a second microwave applicator, including the catalyst. The VOCs are converted into CO_2 and H_2O through the microwave catalytic oxidation process. As a result of decontamination, the soil will contain a solidified residue that no longer pollutes the environment and can no longer be carried into the groundwater.