Microwave-assisted process (MAP (TM)) for the extraction of contaminants from soil

Laboratory-scale tests were performed to evaluate the use of Environment Ca nada's patented Microwave-Assisted Process (MAP(TM))* for the extraction of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil. The purpose of these tests was to determine the potential for using the process for large-scale proces sing of contaminated soil. Tests were performed using three soil types: a c ertified sediment and certified soil, both contaminated with polycyclic aro matic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and spiked peat soil contaminated with long-chai n petroleum hydrocarbons. The test methods used were based on existing MAP techniques that have been proven for the sample preparation of contaminated soils for analytical purposes. The parameters evaluated concentrated on th ose that are amenable to a continuous large-scale process running at atmosp heric pressures. This meant using solvents that are inexpensive and readily available in large volumes, low solvent to material ratios, and optimized energy inputs. In general, if was found that microwaves could be used to en hance the solvent extraction of the contaminants from the soil and that the properties of the soil greatly affected the extent to which the contaminan ts were removed.