Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating

A method for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:

• placing an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
• placing a permeable mat above the surface heater;
• placing a thermal insulation layer above the permeable mat;
• placing an impermeable sheet above the thermal insulation layer;
• applying a vacuum to the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet;
• heating the soil by thermal conduction with the surface heater;
• vaporizing contaminants in the soil;
• and
• recovering the contaminants from the soil through a vacuum collection system.

A method for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:

• placing an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
• placing a permeable mat above the surface heater;
• placing a thermal insulation layer above the permeable mat;
• placing an impermeable sheet above the thermal insulation layer;
• applying a vacuum to the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet;
• heating the soil by thermal conduction with the surface heater to a temperature sufficient to decompose at least some of the contaminants into decomposition products;
• vaporizing contaminants in the soil that are not decomposed by heating;
• and
• recovering the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, from the soil through a vacuum collection system.

A system for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:

• an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
• a permeable mat above the surface heater;
• an impermeable sheet above the permeable mat;
• and
• a vacuum collection system for recovering contaminants from the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet.

A system for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:

• an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
• a permeable mat above the surface heater;
• a thermal insulation layer above the permeable mat;
• an impermeable sheet above the thermal insulation layer;
• and
• a vacuum collection system for recovering contaminants from the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet.