Thermal treatment of a contaminated volume of material

摘要

A method for treating a volume of porous contaminated material is described. A combustible mixture (24) comprising a porous matrix and a distributed combustible contaminant is conveyed to a reaction vessel (12) having an ignition system (16). The ignition system is activated to initiate a smoldering combustion process in the reaction vessel and an oxidizer is distributed into the reaction vessel to sustain the smoldering combustion process. The porous matrix may comprise drill cuttings (324) with residual drilling fluid.

主权项

1. A method for treating a volume of porous contaminated material, comprising:
providing a combustible mixture comprising a porous matrix and a distributed combustible contaminant; conveying the combustible mixture to a reaction vessel having an ignition system; activating the ignition system to initiate a smoldering combustion process in the reaction vessel; distributing an oxidizer into the reaction vessel to sustain the smoldering combustion process; removing cleaned material from the reaction vessel that has been remediated by combustion in the smoldering combustion process; monitoring an amount of cleaned material removed from the reaction vessel; replenishing the combustible mixture in the reaction vessel to sustain the smoldering combustion process; and controlling a rate of replenishing the combustible mixture dependent on the monitored amount of removed cleaned material.