Method and Apparatus for Characterizing Coal Tar in Soil

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus or system for determining an amount of coal tar that can enter, and subsequently be displaced from, a given type of soil for a range of depths of the soil. The method and apparatus also provide verification of the pressure at which coal tar can be displaced from a given type of soil. In particular, the method and apparatus simulate the hydrostatic pressure that a soil sample encounters in the subsurface of the ground. Accordingly, the method and apparatus provide a relationship between the concentration of coal tar in the soil and the pressure required to displace the coal tar from the soil, which allows for an estimation of the amount of coal tar that may be displaced at a particular location or site. Further, the method and apparatus are adaptable for use in the laboratory or the field.

1 . An apparatus, adaptable for positioning in the laboratory or the field, for determining an amount of coal tar that can enter, and subsequently be displaced from, a given type of soil for a range of depths of the soil, comprising:
 a pressurizable chamber configured to hold a soil sample;   at least two reservoirs fluidly connected to said pressurizable chamber and configured to feed a pressurized fluid to said pressurizable chamber; and   a source of controlled pressure fluidly connected to each of said at least two reservoirs.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a container fluidly connected to said chamber for collecting leachate from the soil sample in said chamber;   a hydrophilic filter fluidly connected to said container.