摘要 |
A machine for continuously removing and packaging contaminated surface soil from sites, such as nuclear test areas, as the machine moves along a path of travel. The machine includes an auger-type scarfing unit for removing an upper layer of surface soil and directing the soil airborne into a chamber substantially enclosed to the outside environment, a soil separation and first bagging station including a cyclone generator for pneumatically receiving an air stream of soil removed by the scarfing unit and separating soil from the air stream for containment in bags which are periodically discarded from the machine, a filter and second bagging station for filtering remaining particulate matter from the air stream for containment in disposable bags, and a final filter station for removing substantially all remaining particulate matter from the air stream prior to discharge to the environment. The auger unit closely follows the contour of the land and is adjustable for removing predetermined relatively shallow depths of soil so as to eliminate unnecessary soil removal and prevent tainting previously uncontaminated soil.
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