Heating of solid earthen material, measuring moisture and resistivity

A method for treating solid earthen material having volatile, semivolatile, and non-volatile contaminants in the presence of microbial organisms, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting a plurality of electrodes into solid earthen material, the electrodes being arranged in a selected geometric perimeter defining a region of material to be treated;
• (b) applying at least six phases of voltages to individual electrodes within said plurality of electrodes;;
• (c) adjusting the voltages within a first selected range of voltages to heat the material substantially uniformly throughout the region to a temperature sufficient to promote activity of microbial organisms feeding on voltage, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants within the region of material;
• and
• (d) controlling the voltages for maintaining the temperature of from 20.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. within the material for a time sufficient for the microbial organisms to substantially biodegrade the volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants within the region of material.

A method for treating solid earthen material having volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants in the presence of microbial organisms which comprises the steps of:

• (a) inserting a plurality of electrodes into solid earthen material, the electrodes being arranged in a selected geometric perimeter defining a region of material to be treated;
• (b) applying at least six phases of voltages to individual electrodes within said plurality of electrodes;
• (c) adjusting the voltages within a first selected range of voltages to heat the material substantially uniformly throughout the region to a temperature sufficient to promote activity of microbial organisms feeding on voltage, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants within the region of material;
• and
• (d) controlling the voltages for maintaining a temperature of 30.degree. C. within the material for a time sufficient for the microbial organisms to substantially biodegrade the volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants within the region of material.

A method for treating solid earthen material having volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting a plurality of electrodes into solid earthen material, the electrodes being arranged in a selected geometric perimeter defining a region of material to be treated;
• (b) applying at least six phases of voltages to corresponding ones of the electrodes;
• (c) adjusting the voltages within a first selected range of voltages to heat the material substantially uniformly throughout the region to a temperature sufficient to bioremediate the voltage, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants within the region of material;
• and
• (d) controlling the voltages for maintaining the temperature of the material for a time sufficient for the added energy to substantially bioremediate the volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants within the region of material.