Modelling and preliminary technical, energy and economic considerations for full-scale in situ remediation of low-dielectric hydrocarbon-polluted soils by microwave heating (MWH) technique

摘要: Microwave heating (MWH) has been recently proposed as a high-performance technique for the remediation of soils contaminated with organic pollutants. However, despite MWH potential advantages, it is scarcely applied due to lack full-scale in situ detailed studies. In this work, applicability hydrocarbon-polluted was assessed by means specific energy and economic analysis. Essential technical information also purchased. Energy analysis performed using data obtained from modelling which dedicated equation-based process computer code simulating phenomena adopted. Elaborations involved assessment influence soil texture moisture well operating conditions (supplied power time) on electric field penetration into temperature variation function time radial distance irradiation source. Main results reveal that sandy are more penetrable MW respect clayey ones. The penetrability observed increase decreasing moisture. This turn reflected profiles. major effect effectiveness ascribable changing power. fact, use magnetrons powers lower than 3 kW does not ensure enough microwave and, therefore, suitable activities, whereas application 6 kW led maximum treatable radius 145 cm. terms consumption, calculation showed almost 3 days general required remediate Consequently, revealed costs about 3 € t−1 those soils. Furthermore, 6 instead higher total cost, which, jointly volume treatable, leads equal costs. comparison calculated other available clean-up technologies hydrocarbon-contaminated shows very short times (18–27 € t−1) make deliverable alternative conventional thermal desorption or physical-chemical techniques.