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(A) New Take on Thermal Desorption - Using Enhanced Thermal
Conduction (ETC) for the Remediation of Legacy Hydrocarbon
Impacts at Sites in the Yukon and British Columbia
Chad Belenky, Iron Creek Group Inc.
Iron Creek Group Inc (Iron Creek) provides clients around the world
with an innovative and cost effective thermal remediation technology
to address legacy hydrocarbon waste and organic soil impacts. Using a
process called Enhanced Thermal Conduction, Iron Creek was able to
successfully treat more than 24,000 tonnes of hydrocarbon impacted
soil at two separate legacy sites located in both the Yukon Territory and
Northeastern British Columbia.
Location 1 – Yukon Territory
The Enhanced Thermal Conduction (ETC) technology was successfully
utilized on a mineral exploration legacy site located in an extremely remote
area of the Yukon Territory, Canada. Approximately 2,000 tonne of diesel
impacted soil was treated with a version of the ETC equipment that was
modified to fit in a de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft in order to be deployed
to the air access only, backcountry site. Impacts at the site were a result
of a historical diesel fuel release and were characterized by BTEX impacts
as well as LEPH10-19 (Light Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons) and
HEPH19-32 (Heavy Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons) all exceeding
territorial Contaminated Sites Criteria. In some portions of the impacted
soil, initial DRO concentrations exceeding 22,000 mg/kg were identified.
Closure sampling and analysis that was conducted following the
thermal treatment process resulted in all samples meeting the territorial
Contaminated Sites Regulation requiring extractable hydrocarbon levels
below 1,000 mg/kg for each of the LEPH10-19 and HEPH19-32 fractions.
A broad range of soil types and soil moisture contents were processed
during this project ranging from tight clays saturated to field capacity to
wet fluvial material and even some discontinuous permafrost material.
Following treatment, the clean soil was used to backfill the excavation area
to facilitate reclamation of the site. Work was completed during the frost
free summer months with heavy rainfall and extreme weather occurring
routinely throughout the project.
Location 2 – Northeastern British Columbia
Approximately 22,000 tonne of crude oil impacted soil from a legacy oil
& gas location in Northeastern British Columbia, Canada was remediated
utilizing the Enhanced Thermal Conduction (ETC) process. Impacts at the
site were characterized with BTEX parameters as well as with VPH6-10
(Volatile Petroleum Hydrocarbons) and LEPH10-19 (Light Extractable
Petroleum Hydrocarbons) all exceeding provincial Contaminated Sites
Criteria. Following remediation with the ETC process, confirmatory
sampling of the soil resulted in 100% regulatory compliance for all samples
collected and a large portion of the samples had analytical results below
the detection limit. Once treated, the thermally remediated soil was used
to backfill the excavation areas of the site in advance of site reclamation.
Operations commenced in June during the extremely wet, rainy season
and continued though into frost conditions with all-weather capability
maintained during the treatment period. This presentation will highlight
the versatility of the Enhanced Thermal Conduction process as a cost
effective addition to the remediation practitioner’s toolbox, along with
lessons learned from deploying the technology to these unique and
remote project locations.
Chad Belenky
Chad Belenky is President of Iron Creek Group Inc. where he is
responsible for the management and oversight of all aspects of the
business. Chad has been active in the environmental field since 1996
working on energy and resource industry sites throughout Western and
Northern Canada. With over 20 years of experience managing a diverse
portfolio of projects, he brings a broad range of experience to Iron
Creek. This includes extensive background in both soil and groundwater
remediation, all phases of site reclamation, property transfer activities
and project management.
Roger Richter
Roger Richter is Vice President of Operations at Iron Creek Group Inc.
Roger has been active in the thermal remediation industry for the last 23
years and he has vast experience in planning, mobilizing and completing
local and remote remediation projects throughout the world. Mr. Richter
possesses a proven track record on soil remediation projects using Hot
Air Vapor Extraction, Indirect and Direct fired TDU’s, Enhanced Thermal
Conduction and the M1 Technology. Mr. Richter’s experience includes the
permitting, construction and operation of several stationary treatment
facilities in the United States and the deployment and operation of
many remote thermal remediation systems. He pioneered the design,
development and construction of the technology known as Enhanced
Thermal Conduction (ETC) as well as the M1 Infrared technology. Roger
holds numerous training certifications and has been awarded a number
of thermal technology patents. At Iron Creek, Mr. Richter oversees field
operations and technology development.