Terra-KleenŠ

Description

Terra-KleenŠ is a soil washing system that removes semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from soil. It was developed primarily to remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The Terra-KleenŠ system uses a solvent in a closed-loop process to remove PCBs from soils. PCB-laden solvent is purified and re-used. The PCB-contaminated purification media is transported off site for disposal at a permitted facility. This process results in a dramatic decrease in the volume and mass of material transported off site.

Limitations and Concerns

There is not enough information about residual levels of PCB after treatment. If levels are too high, then treated soil may have to be disposed of.

This process does not eliminate the need to dispose of the PCBs; it only concentrates it.

Soils containing greater than 15 percent clay are difficult to treat because contaminants sorb to the clay.

Soils with high moisture content must be dewatered. There is a concern that some contaminants may be carried in the water and escape treatment.

Applicability

Terra-KleenŠ is process that removes PCBs, pesticides and other SVOCs from soil.

Technology Development Status

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Terra-KleenŠ for removing PCBs and some other compounds from soil.  Although the manufacturer states that it is equally efficient at removing dioxin, this has not been tested by EPA.

Web Links

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/21/20822.pdf

 http://www.clu-in.org/download/contaminantfocus/pcb/Terra-Clean-540r94521.pdf

Other resources

None have been identified.