Janet M Roberts

US Patent:

55458033, Aug 13, 1996

Filed:

Jun 30, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/268490

Inventors:

William O. Heath - Richland WA
Phillip A. Gauglitz - Richland WA
Gautam Pillay - Richland WA
Theresa M. Bergsman - Richland WA
Eugene A. Eschbach - Richland WA
Steven C. Goheen - Richland WA
Richard L. Richardson - West Richland WA
Janet S. Roberts - Pasco WA
Ronald Schalla - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Battelle Memorial Institute - Richland WA

International Classification:

A62D 300

US Classification:

588253

Abstract:

The present invention includes a method of treating solid earthen material having volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants that utilizes electrical energy. A plurality of electrodes are inserted into a region of earthen material to be treated in a selected geometric pattern. Varying phase and voltages configurations are applied to corresponding electrodes to achieve heating, physical phase changes, and the placement of substances within the treatment region. Additionally, treatment mediums can be added to either treat the contamination within the soil or to restrict their mobility.