Licensing and collaboration opportunities
Researchers at the Edinburgh University, UK, have developed a technique for neutralising a wide range of hazardous chemicals polluting the soil and water at industrial sites. The university is now looking for collaborative R&D opportunities with existing remediation companies, with the aim of testing the STAR technology on both in-situ and ex-situ applications on live contaminated sites.
Self-sustaining Treatment for Active Remediation (STAR) can eliminate contamination by organic liquids, including coal tars, solvents, oils and petrochemicals, and is suitable for use both in situ and for polluted material removed form its original site.
The method takes advantage of the fact that many hazardous liquids are flammable and are completely destroyed by combustion. Once the contaminant has been ignited, it is allowed to smoulder in a controlled fashion, with the process being limited to the contaminated fraction of the soil. The process is maintained by the energy created by the smouldering, and stops either when the contaminating fuel source has been exhausted, or its source of oxygen is removed.
The researchers say the technique is a cost-effective low energy process, which is self-sustaining, controllable and quick. A UK patent, “Method and Apparatus for Remediating Contaminated Land”, has been filed and an International Patent application has been made.
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