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Pilot-Scale In-Situ Thermal Desorption of PCB-Contaminated Soil at the Rio Tinto Site in Lannemezan, France

A 25 m² pilot treated a 5.5 m-thick PCB-impacted zone, including wet and highly saturated soils, using 14 heating tubes and continuous monitoring over 63 days, with the objective of reducing PCB concentrations from up to 5,900 mg/kg to below 10 mg/kg.

SITE DESCRIPTION

       Treated Volume

  138 m³ of contaminated soil (248.4 T)

          Thermal technology

   In-Situ Treatment (ISTD, pilot) 

       Main contaminant

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls)

        Site challenges

Rio Tinto site with PCB impact over a 5.5 m thick layer; humid and saturated zones required extended treatment time

        Project Timeline

2013



SOLUTION

          Treatment Method

Pilot In-Situ Thermal Desorption (138 m³ / 248.4 T)

          Treatment program

14 heating tubes, target temperature 200°C

         Contaminated Vapors Management

Cooling, condensation and activated carbon

       Process control

Humid zones treated in 9 weeks, non-humid zones in 5 weeks · continuous temperature and air quality monitoring


RESULTS

✅         138 m³ of contaminated soil treated (pilot scale).

✅          PCB concentration reduced from up to 5,900 mg/kg to below the 10 mg/kg target

✅         Pilot results validated for Rio Tinto, confirming feasibility ahead of full-scale application at the site





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