A method for remediating a contaminated porous matrix including selecting the type and quantity of organic fuel to create a smolderable mixture of the organic fuel and contaminated porous matrix, and controlling the rate of oxidant addition to manipulate the relative proportions of oxidative breakdown products, non-oxidative breakdown products, and non-destructive remediation processes. The method further involves collecting the volatilized contaminant, and any gaseous breakdown products of the contaminant.

A method for remediating contaminated soil and groundwater includes selecting a treatment material and creating a smolderable mixture of a contaminant, the treatment material, and soil.

Porous media containing undesired substances, e.g., perfluoroalkylated substances, are treated by mixing the porous media with a solid fuel comprising organic material. The mixture is heated to 200 C. to 400 C. to initiate smoldering combustion and an oxidizer gas is forced through the heated mixture such that the smoldering combustion is self-sustaining until the mixture reaches a PFAS destructive temperature and the perfluoroalkylated substances are thermally destroyed. A system is provided for conducting the treatment. The system includes a source of wax, wood chips, sawdust, tire scraps, waste rubber compounds, coal, granular activated carbon, solid fat, and combinations thereof as solid fuel. A mixer is provided for mixing the porous media with the solid fuel. An ignition system including static heating elements and a gas blower are provided for forcing heated oxidizer gas through the mixture such that self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture is initiated and sustained.

Porous media containing undesired substances, e.g., perfluoroalkylated substances, are treated by mixing the porous media with a solid fuel comprising organic material. The mixture is heated to 200 C. to 400 C. to initiate smoldering combustion and an oxidizer gas is forced through the heated mixture such that the smoldering combustion is self-sustaining until the mixture reaches a PFAS destructive temperature and the perfluoroalkylated substances are thermally destroyed. A system is provided for conducting the treatment. The system includes a source of wax, wood chips, sawdust, tire scraps, waste rubber compounds, coal, granular activated carbon, solid fat, and combinations thereof as solid fuel. A mixer is provided for mixing the porous media with the solid fuel. An ignition system including static heating elements and a gas blower are provided for forcing heated oxidizer gas through the mixture such that self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture is initiated and sustained.

A method for remediating contaminated soil and groundwater includes selecting a treatment material and creating a smolderable mixture of a contaminant, the treatment material, and soil.

A method for remediating a contaminated porous matrix including selecting the type and quantity of organic fuel to create a smolderable mixture of the organic fuel and contaminated porous matrix, and controlling the rate of oxidant addition to manipulate the relative proportions of oxidative breakdown products, non-oxidative breakdown products, and non-destructive remediation processes. The method further involves collecting the volatilized contaminant, and any gaseous breakdown products of the contaminant.

A method for remediating a contaminated porous matrix including selecting the type and quantity of organic fuel to create a smolderable mixture of the organic fuel and contaminated porous matrix, and controlling the rate of oxidant addition to manipulate the relative proportions of oxidative breakdown products, non-oxidative breakdown products, and non-destructive remediation processes. The method further involves collecting the volatilized contaminant, and any gaseous breakdown products of the contaminant.

The present disclosure provides devices and methods for cleaning up or burning spills of burnable materials in situ. In some embodiments, a system for burning a burnable material comprises a base having a first side configured for placement on a surface with a burnable material and a second side; and a plurality heat conducting members extending from the second side of the base.

The present disclosure provides devices and methods for cleaning up or burning spills of burnable materials in situ. In some embodiments, a system for burning a burnable material comprises a base having a first side configured for placement on a surface with a burnable material and a second side; and a plurality heat conducting members extending from the second side of the base.

A toxic waste incinerator is capable of enhanced combustion of hazardous waste (oil contaminated sand, human waste, garbage, etc.) utilizing immersed non-combustible and thermally conductive objects for increasing heat feedback from the flames to the unburned fuel, while air inlets are used to optimize the air entrainment rate to enhance the burning efficiency. The burning rate of a fluidic mass such as a sand-oil mixture is enhanced using immersed conductive objects (copper rods) which enable rapid heat-up of the flame exposed to the upper surface of the rod and transmits heat back into the sand. Consequent conduction of heat to the porous media through the lower portion of the immersed rod significantly increases vaporization and therefore the burning rate. Incineration may be performed on a transient, exigent basis as with hazardous waste and oil spills, or as part of a permanent fixture for receiving an ongoing waste stream.