Composition, method and apparatus for soil remediation

Abstract

A composition, process and apparatus for soil remediation on site using an encapsulating agent to separate contaminants from soil. The contaminated soil is saturated with the encapsulating agent, creating an immediate reaction causing the contaminants to dissociate from the soil in favor of association with the encapsulating agent. The encapsulating agent attracts and associates with the contaminants but do not dissolve them, resulting in a clearly-defined heterogeneous mixture with at least three phases, wherein said phases include contaminants at the top of the mixture, encapsulation agent at the middle and cleansed soil at the bottom of the mixture. The encapsulating agent comprises an anionic surfactant, an alcohol, a non-ionic surfactant, pine oil and water. The soil remediating apparatus is preferably portable and provide for a closed-loop continuous cleaning of the soil, which is immediately returned to the original site, and recycling the encapsulating agent back into the remediation process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An encapsulating agent for soil remediation comprising: i) an anionic surfactant, ii) an alcohol; iii) a non-ionic surfactant; iv) pine oil; and v) water. 
     
     
         2 . An encapsulating agent as in  claim 1  comprising: i) 0.8-6% wt. of an anionic surfactant, ii) 0.8-6% wt. of an alcohol; iii) 0.4-3% wt. of a non-ionic surfactant; iv) 0.8-6% wt. of pine oil; and v) 90-97% wt. of water. 
     
     
         3 . An encapsulating agent as in  claim 1  comprising: i) 0.8-6% wt. of sodium lauryl sulfate; ii) 0.8-6% wt. of isopropyl alcohol; iii) 0.4-3% wt. of ethoxylated alcohol; iv) 0.8-6% wt. of pine oil; and v) 90-97% wt. of water. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for soil remediation comprising:
 a mixer;   a transportation unit,   a plurality of pumps comprising at least a first pump and a second pump;   at least a shaker;   at least a hydrocyclone;   an encapsulating agent;   an encapsulating agent tank filled with said encapsulating agent;   wherein the encapsulating agent is mixed with a contaminated soil in the mixer to form an admixture, said contaminated soil having contaminants,   wherein said transportation unit provides a path between the mixer and at least said shaker;   wherein said admixture comprises at least a first phase and a second phase;   wherein said shaker is positioned on top of said encapsulating agent tank;   wherein said shaker separates the first phase from the second phase;   wherein the second phase is deposited in the encapsulating agent tank;   wherein the second phase comprises a first density and a second density;   wherein said first pump is configured to remove the first density of the second phase from said encapsulating agent tank;   wherein said second pump is configured is configured to transport the second density of the second phase toward the mixer.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for soil remediation as in claim  16 , further comprising at least an hydrocyclone for removing a sediment from the second density of the second phase. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for soil remediation as in claim  16 , wherein said encapsulating agent is water-soluble and biodegradable. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for soil remediation as in claim  16 , wherein said encapsulating agents comprising: i) an anionic surfactant, ii) an alcohol; iii) a non-ionic surfactant; iv) pine oil; and v) water. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for soil remediation as in claim  16 , wherein said encapsulating agents comprising: i) 0.8-6% wt. of sodium lauryl sulfate; ii) 0.8-6% wt. of isopropyl alcohol; iii) 0.4-3% wt. of ethoxylated alcohol; iv) 0.8-6% wt. of pine oil; and v) 90-97% wt. of water.