ABSTRACT

In situ vitrification (ISV) is the process of melting contaminated soil, buried wastes, or sludges in place to render the material nonhazardous. Individual ISV "settings" may grow to encompass a total melt mass of up to 1000 tons and a maximum width of about 30 ft. Specific site characteristics must be considered in determining the applicability of ISV. In the event that feasibility tests indicate problems in soil conductance or vitrification, sand, soda ash, and/or glass frit can be mixed with the soil to improve the process. Bench-scale ISV tests are the smallest and most economical tests to perform when initially determining the feasibility of ISV for processing a new waste/soil type. Two pilot-scale systems have been utilized for the development of ISV. The first pilot-scale system was used to determine scale-up feasibility from the engineering scale. This initial pilot-scale unit was tested successfully on four different occasions prior to design and fabrication of a second pilot-scale ISV system.