Fundamental study of the rate of thermal desorption of contaminants from soil beds

This paper focuses on results obtained in the Bed-Characterization Reactors. Mass transfer and heat transfer resistances have been found to be extremely important. The effects of packing density, moisture, and particle size on these resistances are discussed. Experimental evidence indicates that packing density did not appear to affect the heat transfer within the bed of soil; however, different soils demonstrated different thermal diffusivities. Sand will heat more quickly than the clay soil. Packing density did appear to alter the resistances to mass transfer within the bed. As expected, a more densely-packed bed increased the resistances to mass transfer, hence, the contaminant evolved more slowly.