PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVAL OF PETROLEUM FROM PARTICULATE MATERIALS

摘要

A process for the removal of petroleum contaminants from particulates is disclosed which involves (i) volatilization of the contaminated particulates in a toroidal dynamic bed (1) suspended in hot gases and/or (ii) extraction of the contaminated particulates in a toroidal dynamic bed (1) suspended in hot gases (such as hot combustion product gases, e.g., mixtures of CO2, CO, H2O, unconsumed hydrocarbons, in a variety of proportions) optionally containing steam or a solvent for the petroleum contaminant. The separation of the petroleum contaminant is to obtain solids containing less than 1, preferably less than 0.5 and most preferably less than about 0.1 weight percent of the contaminant. The process allows sufficient petroleum removal so that the solids are suitable for direct dumping in a landfill, assuming that the solids are free of non-petroleum environmental contaminants.