Process for removing volatile components from soils and sludges contaminated with hazardous and radioactive materials

A method for separating volatile and semi-volatile chemical contaminants from contaminated mixed waste solid materials comprising, in combination, the steps of:

• (a) removing from the ground solid materials contaminated with hazardous and radioactive pollutants;
• (b) introducing the contaminated solid materials into a batch mixing vessel;
• (c) drawing a vacuum on the mixing vessel while purging the mixing vessel with an inert purge gas;
• (d) agitating the contaminated solid materials in the mixing vessel in the presence of the inert gas while indirectly heating the solid materials to a temperature between about 200.degree. to about 600.degree. F.;
• (e) simultaneously with the heating and agitation of step (d) continuously drawing a vacuum until a final pressure from about 400 mm Hg to about 50 mm Hg on the mixing vessel is reached while maintaining a sweep stream of an inert gas;
• and
• (f) continuously removing by means of the vacuum, evolved vapors comprising substantially all of the volatile and semi-volatile chemical compounds originally contained in the contaminated solid materials.