U.S. EPA Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program
Radio Frequency Heating (RFH)
KAI Technologies, Inc. (KAI)

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 Radio Frequency Heating (RFH), KAI Technologies, Inc. (KAI) (162KB)

Abstract

KAI developed a patented, in situ RFH technology to enhance the removal of volatile and semi-volatile organics by soil vapor extraction (SVE). Electromagnetic energy heats the soil resulting in increased contaminant vapor pressures and soil permeability that may increase with drying. KAI’s system heats soil using one or more antennae embedded in soil. Heating begins near the antenna and proceeds radially outward. Soils are heated to over 250^o C. Extracted vapors can be treated by standard treatment technologies. RFH is most efficient in subsurface areas with low groundwater recharge. The technology was demonstrated between January and July 1994 at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by comparing contaminant concentrations in matched pairs of samples before and after treatment. Soils were evenly heated to over 120^o C and liquids were heated to 240^o C. Soil permeability increased 20 fold. Mean removal of total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons was 49 percent. Contaminants may have migrated into and out of the treatment zone due to the design of the SVE system.

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Posted October 1, 1999

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