ABSTRACT
Soil washing is a physical/chemical separation process in which contaminated soil is excavated, screened to remove debris and large objects, and then washed with fluids to remove the contaminants. During the soil-washing process, contaminants are either dissolved or suspended in the aqueous wash fluid and removed for further treatment. Soil washing with organic solvents instead of water or water with wash-improving additives is used to remove nonvolatile hydrophilic and hydrophobic organics from soil. The soil-washing process is capable of removing a wide variety of chemical contaminants. The soil-washing process limitations are those characteristics that hinder cost-effective soil reduction volume, feed soil preparation, or residuals treatment. Data regarding the soil types, quantities, and constituents present at the site were based upon estimates provided by Ercole Marelli Servizi Technologici. A soil-wash process plant could be constructed to meet the 600-ton-per-day rate, using either a single 100-ton-per-hour unit or multiple 25-ton-per-hour units.
