In-Situ Plasma Remediation of Contaminated Soils
GRA: Mingzhan Wu
Funded by the Education, Research, & Development
Association (ERDA) of Georgia with Westinghouse/Savannah River Corporation. A portable
500-kW plasma torch system is under development to facilitate downhole magmavication of
soils and buried wastes. The process was field proven last year during an ERDA test
program in Aiken, SC using a portable 1-MW system operated by Hydro-Quebec and engineered
by Bechtel Corporation at the Savannah River Site. An offgas collection system is
patterned after the in-situ vitrification (ISV) process that was used at Oak Ridge
National Labs. Three separate trailer systems are included for power supply, water
cooling, and offgas collection. In lieu of drilled boreholes, the plasma torch may be
placed using a large vibroflot unit, vibratory resonance hammer, or hydraulic pile driver.
January 27, 1998