Thermal soil remediation

Thermal soil remediation with mobile thermal desorption

Nelson brings mobile thermal treatment to excavated soil containing suitable organic contaminants. Soil preparation, direct or indirect heating, vapor collection, off-gas treatment and verification are planned as one treatment train, with the configuration matched to the material and site.

30+ years

Hydrocarbon remediation experience

Direct + indirect

Heat-transfer configurations

Mobile

Onsite excavated-soil treatment

Process

From excavated soil to a verified treatment record

Prepare and characterize the feed before processing: moisture, particle size, debris and concentration variability affect operation. Thermal desorption separates suitable organic contaminants into a vapor stream. The proposed treatment train must then collect and manage that stream through configured destruction or recovery and gas-cleaning systems.

A desorber temperature alone is not proof of destruction. Agree the operating records, relevant emissions testing, treated-soil sampling and residual-management evidence that establish performance for the actual material and approvals.

Configuration

Direct and indirect describe heat transfer

Direct-fired desorption places the heated gas stream in contact with the material. Indirect desorption transfers heat through a separating surface. Both can process excavated soil; neither term describes an in-situ subsurface heating system.

Select the configuration using feed properties, contaminant chemistry, site access, vapor handling and emissions requirements. Nelson's approved equipment drawings show alternative arrangements of the mobile thermal fleet. A drawing or nameplate rating does not predict daily production for every soil.

Material fit

Organic contaminants, metals and PFAS need distinct assessments

Petroleum hydrocarbons, BTEX, PAHs and suitable persistent organic contaminants can be assessed for thermal treatment. The contaminant, soil profile and complete off-gas treatment system determine suitability. Metals cannot be destroyed by heating; mixed contamination may require segregation, stabilization or an authorized residual destination.

Nelson's PFAS program is pilot-validated and includes NATO STO test-bed participation. Hydrocarbon operating conditions and project outcomes must not be applied to PFAS without separate treatability and verification evidence.

Alberta

Use Alberta projects to evaluate the proposed scope

The Bear Hills and Alberta legacy wellsite records document hydrocarbon soil treatment in Alberta. Establish Tier 1 or Tier 2 objectives and any waste, water, air and reclamation obligations before selecting equipment.

Compare the project material, preparation, process configuration and verification boundary with your site. Treatment verification supports the completion record; regulator acceptance and certification depend on the full applicable process.

Treatment planning

What determines a mobile thermal treatment configuration?

Representative feed dataContaminant and co-contaminant results, concentration ranges, moisture, texture, debris and material quantities.

Site constructabilityExcavation access, staging space, utilities, soil preparation, stockpile controls and water management.

Complete vapor and residual trainCapture, configured destruction or recovery, emissions controls and management of all residual streams.

Intended material useCleanup criteria, geotechnical suitability and approvals for reuse, backfill or an authorized receiving destination.

Verification scopeRepresentative soil sampling, relevant off-gas evidence and operational records for the actual treatment system.

Project evidence

Thermal soil remediation project evidence

Bear Hills, AlbertaHydrocarbon soil treatment and restoration documented in the approved project record.

Alberta legacy wellsiteThermal treatment of legacy drilling waste and hydrocarbon-impacted soil under Alberta project criteria.

Tioga, North Dakota, one of the largest inland oil spills in US history1.2 million tonnes of hydrocarbon-impacted soil treated on site by mobile thermal remediation, with verified destruction efficiency and full on-site closure.

The Hub

Hydrocarbon contamination map

Explore public contamination records and regional context. Site suitability still requires assessment.

Open the map

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Frequently asked

What is thermal soil remediation?

Thermal soil remediation uses heat within a system for managing contaminated soil. Ex-situ thermal desorption processes excavated material and separates suitable organic contaminants into a vapor stream. Collection, off-gas treatment, residual management and soil verification are essential parts of the treatment train.

Is indirect thermal desorption an in-situ method?

No. Indirect describes heat transfer through a separating surface. In-situ means treatment in the subsurface without excavating the target material. An indirectly heated vessel can process excavated soil.

Does thermal treatment destroy metals?

No. Metals require a separate management assessment. Thermal treatment of an organic fraction does not establish that metal concentrations, leachability or other reuse criteria have been met.

How much material can be treated daily?

Daily processing depends on the selected unit, feed moisture, particle size, contaminant profile, preparation and operating requirements. Use the approved configuration drawings for equipment context and representative feed data for project-specific planning, rather than infer production from another project.

Can wet or clay-rich soil be assessed for thermal treatment?

Yes, subject to characterization and configuration review. Moisture and clay affect preparation, handling and heating. Dewatering, screening or blending may be considered as part of a site-specific feed plan.

Thermal soil remediation: process and research guide

Thermal desorption process and approved configurations

Thermal oxidiser systems

Soil remediation services in Alberta and Canada

Compare remediation techniques

Alberta Tier 1 and Tier 2 guide

Upload soil analytical results

Discuss thermal treatment suitability