High Pressure Soil Incineration : Fuel use Optimization for Environmental Remediation for the BAL Process

Abstract: Soil incineration is a relatively new subject that has usually had hazardous gas release problems. Incineration has been generally unsustainable. Incineration releases a wide array of gases hazardous to the environment and human health, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and dioxins. The studied so-called BAL process combusts soil to remove pollutants. Waste is removed in slag products and hazardous gases are crystallized. Almost no hazardous gases are released to the atmosphere. The purpose of this report was to optimize fuel use for the BAL process and to analyze the BAL process from a Sustainable Development perspective. oil, coal, peat and wood chips were examined. All fuels were viable. coal and oil required the least amount of fuel but the most amount of air. Peat and wood chips required less air but more fuel. No fuel was chosen as “best in any case”. Other optimization suggestions include: recycling of flue gases, Municipal Solid Waste as fuel and shape of combustion chamber. The BAL process was found to adhere to the Sustainable Development idea. The BAL process increases regional, economic and environmental sustainability. The results of this report may optimize the environmental sustainability of the BAL process even further.