Thermal blanket
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For the temperature sensor enclosure, see thermowell.
A thermal blanket is used to clean large area soil contaminations.
The primary function of a thermal blanket is to heat the soil to the boiling point of the contaminants (usually 800 to 1,000°C). The contaminants break down. A vacuum pulls the resulting gas (along with some contaminants) into a separate air cleaner that may use various methods, such as carbon filters and high-heat ovens, to completely destroy the contaminants.
Deep contaminations are handled using a similar method with a deep penetrating heat source. This is commonly referred to as a thermal well.
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[edit] Concerns
There is a concern that as a contaminant becomes heated, it may leak outside of the area of the thermal blanket. Therefore, the blanket must completely cover the contaminated area and have a strong enough vacuum to prohibit the spread of contaminations.
Incomplete destruction of contaminants may lead to the introduction of dioxins and furans into the air.
This method has not been effectively tested on organic contaminants.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- I. E. T. Iben, W. A. Edelstein, R. B. Sheldon, A. P. Shapiro, E. E. Uzgiris, C. R. Scatena, S. R. Blaha, W. B. Silverstein, G. R. Brown, G. L. Stegemeier, and H. J. Vinegar (1985). "Thermal Blanket for In-Situ Remediation of Surficial Contamination: A Pilot Test". Environ. Sci. Technol. 30 (11): 3144–3154. doi:.
