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.