A rock sample includes multiple rock samples that are each obtained from the borehole. The rock samples have been exposed to contamination during a drilling operation to drill the borehole. The rock sample is split into a first sample portion and a second sample portion. The first sample portion is decontaminated with a solvent. The second sample portion is decontaminated by thermovaporization for an initial duration of time at an initial thermovaporization temperature below that of a cracking temperature of an organic matter carried within the rock sample. A difference between a first pyrolysis Tmax value of the first sample portion decontaminated by the solvent and a second pyrolysis Tmax value of the second sample portion decontaminated by the thermovaporization is determined to satisfy a decontamination level threshold. The remainder of rock samples are decontaminated by the thermovaporization in response to determining that the difference satisfies the decontamination level threshold.

A rock sample includes multiple rock samples that are each obtained from the borehole. The rock samples have been exposed to contamination during a drilling operation to drill the borehole. The rock sample is split into a first sample portion and a second sample portion. The first sample portion is decontaminated with a solvent. The second sample portion is decontaminated by thermovaporization for an initial duration of time at an initial thermovaporization temperature below that of a cracking temperature of an organic matter carried within the rock sample. A difference between a first pyrolysis Tmax value of the first sample portion decontaminated by the solvent and a second pyrolysis Tmax value of the second sample portion decontaminated by the thermovaporization is determined to satisfy a decontamination level threshold. The remainder of rock samples are decontaminated by the thermovaporization in response to determining that the difference satisfies the decontamination level threshold.

Methods and systems are provided for two-stage treatment of contaminated particulate material, such as soil, sediment, and/or sludge. The methods and systems utilize a thermal desorption process combined with a smoldering combustion process. The contaminated particulate material is first exposed to thermal desorption at high temperatures (e.g., greater than 150 C.) to form a heated contaminated particulate material. Next, a smoldering combustion process is initiated by introducing a combustion-supporting gas. The combined process can take place in the same or different treatment units.

Methods and systems are provided for two-stage treatment of contaminated particulate material, such as soil, sediment, and/or sludge. The methods and systems utilize a thermal desorption process combined with a smoldering combustion process. The contaminated particulate material is first exposed to thermal desorption at high temperatures (e.g., greater than 150 C.) to form a heated contaminated particulate material. Next, a smoldering combustion process is initiated by introducing a combustion-supporting gas. The combined process can take place in the same or different treatment units.

A liquid treatment system includes: a filter casing including a structural wall, a first screen formed though the structural wall, and a second screen formed though the structural wall; and a liquid treatment cartridge configured for placement in the filter casing between the first and second screens. The liquid treatment cartridge includes a cartridge casing having an upper end and a lower end, and an inflatable seal surrounding the cartridge casing at an intermediary position between the upper end and lower end. A method of servicing a groundwater treatment installation includes: vertically displacing a liquid treatment cartridge within a filter casing having a structural wall, a first screen formed though the structural wall, and a second screen formed though the structural wall.

A liquid treatment system includes: a filter casing including a structural wall, a first screen formed though the structural wall, and a second screen formed though the structural wall; and a liquid treatment cartridge configured for placement in the filter casing between the first and second screens. The liquid treatment cartridge includes a cartridge casing having an upper end and a lower end, and an inflatable seal surrounding the cartridge casing at an intermediary position between the upper end and lower end. A method of servicing a groundwater treatment installation includes: vertically displacing a liquid treatment cartridge within a filter casing having a structural wall, a first screen formed though the structural wall, and a second screen formed though the structural wall.

A method for treating process material using a plurality of autoclaves, wherein each of the plurality of autoclaves cycles through the following steps: introducing a steam from one or more of the plurality of autoclaves to the interior of the vessel; increasing the temperature within the vessel by adding heat to the interior of the vessel using an indirect heat source; reducing the temperature and pressure within the vessel by venting a portion of the steam within the interior of the vessel to another one of the plurality vessels; increasing the temperature within the vessel by continuing to add heat to the interior of the vessel using the indirect heat source; reducing a moisture content of the process material in the interior of vessel to a predetermined value by conveying the steam to another one of the plurality of vessels.

A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil, and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground and a plurality of steam outlets configured to introduce steam to the soil as it is lifted and circulated. The system also includes an insulative sheet material and a cooperating dispenser configured to dispense the sheet material to overlie the treated soil with the sheet material after the passage of the heat treatment apparatus.

A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil, and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground and a plurality of steam outlets configured to introduce steam to the soil as it is lifted and circulated. The system also includes an insulative sheet material and a cooperating dispenser configured to dispense the sheet material to overlie the treated soil with the sheet material after the passage of the heat treatment apparatus.

A reactor (3) which accommodates a biomass raw material (B1) and heats and decomposes the biomass raw material (B1) using steam (S); an offgas duct (18) through which offgas (G) generated from the biomass raw material (B1) in the reactor (3) flows; a steam generator (4) which combusts the offgas (G) from the offgas duct (18) to generate the steam (S) and supply the steam (S) to the reactor (3); a supply valve (8) which cuts off the reactor (3) from outside air; an offgas valve (19) which adjusts a flow rate of the offgas (G) in the offgas duct (18); a discharge unit (20) which discharges a processed biomass (B2) produced by heating and decomposing the biomass raw material (B1) in the reactor (3); a discharge valve (21) which opens and closes the discharge unit (20); and a control device (7) which controls the offgas valve (19) so that the offgas (G) is able to be discharged to the offgas duct (18) by depressurizing the reactor (3) at a depressurization speed at which no blasting occurs are provided.