Today there are many different techniques of soil remediation
used in Australia and throughout the world. This paper considers
the thermal desorption remediation technique and, in particular,
the application of high temperature filtration to the process. The thermal desorption technique involves the treatment of
hydrocarbon (oil, petrol, etc) contaminated soil. The process
involves heating the soil in a retort or kiln to drive off the volatile
organic contaminants. The exit gas stream from the retort is
subsequently passed through an after burner to thermally oxidise
the hydrocarbons. This technique produces soil and combustion
gas streams which are free of hydrocarbons. Due to the heating and agitation of the soil within the retort,
soil particles become entrained in the hot gas stream. To avoid
the blockage and fouling of the system's interim ductwork and
the afterburner, high temperature filtration technology has been
applied to remove these soil particulates without cooling the gas
Stream.