| abstract |
A method and apparatus for removing volatile organic contaminants from soil and waste materials including transporting and placing the contaminated material into a hopper, the hopper being substantially sealed from the atmosphere to prevent fugitive emissions of the contaminants from escaping into the atmosphere; conveying the material under substantially sealed conditions into a heated vapor stripping conveyor; conveying material under substantially sealed conditions along the vapor stripping conveyor to heat the material and thereby cause moisture in the material and the contaminants to be stripped from the material; streaming non-oxidizing gases at a controlled temperature over the material, in the direction of travel of the material, beginning at a point downstream of and adjacent to the introduction of the material into the vapor stripping conveyor to carry the contaminants and moisture away from the material; and maintaining the rate of flow and temperature of the gases to prevent undue surface drying of the material as the material passes through the conveyor. |