In-Situ Thermal Conduction Heating (TCH) by Gas Thermal Remediation (GTR™) is a remediation process whereby heat is applied to subsurface soils and groundwater through an array of vertical or horizontal heater wells coincident with soil vapor extraction (SVE) or multi-phase extraction (MPE) wells. Heat propagates through subsurface soils, groundwater, and bedrock as energy radiates and conducts away from the heater wells operated between 400 and 700°C. Target treatment temperatures for various contaminants and at different sites range from 70°C to 400°C.
As soil, groundwater, and bedrock is heated, adsorbed and liquid phase contaminants are changed to vapor phase through volatilization, or destroyed in situ by a number of mechanisms that include (1) volatilization into vapor phase, (2) steam stripping and distillation into water vapor, (3) mobilization of NAPL to extraction wells via viscosity reduction and increased permeability, (4) hydrolysis, (5) oxidation, and (6) pyrolysis. Generated water vapor, steam, volatilized contaminants, pure phase COC chemicals (i.e. LNAPL and DNAPL) and other natural organic compounds are drawn by vacuum to the SVE and or MPE extraction wells located within and target treatment zone and surrounding areas. These extracted vapors and liquids are treated onsite.
The individual burners are fueled by either natural gas or propane to provide heat to the TCH wells. The heat is transferred to the individual TCH wells as hot combustion air is circulated within the enclosed steel tubing of each TCH well. The hot combustion air is completely isolated from the soil and heating of the subsurface occurs primarily through conduction.
Throughout the heating process the individual burners and proximate temperature/pressure recording points are monitored via a wireless data system. A real time ftp website is used for accessing data remotely. Subzones within the TTZ can be individually controlled, so that temperature gradients and energy consumption may be optimized.
A typical GTR™ system uses the following equipment:
TPS Tech is a woman owned small business that specializes in environmental remediation. At TPS Tech we have 25 years of professional experience in onsite remediation where elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL) are present. We are organized to serve and assist clients by providing service agreements or training for equipment operation, performance evaluation monitoring and sampling, system modification, and competitive pricing structures.
