Thermal Desorption Remediation Engineering

If you have a thermal application there is no doubt that Focus can add value to the projectFocus has significant experience with numerous thermal treatment technologies including: rotary dryers, thermal screws, regenerative thermal oxidizers, in-situ electric heater wells, infrared static box, rotary kiln incineration, fluid bed incineration, and rotary harth incineration. This experience provides a basis for evaluating the applicability of the mirade of thermal treatment technologies to waste matrices that may be encountered at a specific site. Focus can not only evaluate the technical aspects of applying a specific technology but also estimate costs and then manage the process of executing the remedy.

Focus has significant remediation engineering experience both in the US and internationally. Our experience has familiarized us with numerous regulatory requirements which can be different from one state to the next and also between countries. This experience makes our insights to application of thermal technologies extremely valuable to prospective users of the technology as they navigate the minefield of regulatory requirements.

Feasibility Studies  
Each site has it`s own challenges when thermal desorption is being applied as the remedial technology. Focus` understanding of thermal technologies and the various pitfalls that may be encountered allows us to accurately assess how a specific technology will work for a given site. Identification of data gaps relative to application of the thermal technology minimizes the potential for scope changes later once a contractor is onboard.

Treatibility Studies  
Focus has extensive experience at conducting treatability studies on different waste materials. The primary purpose of treatability testing is to determine how the waste material responds to thermal treatment. Specific technology application data obtained during treatability studies include: 1) optimum treatment temperature to meet site cleanup goals and 2) partitioning of organics in downstream emission control streams. The magnitude of the testing and data required to be collected is dependent upon the specific thermal technology being applied and the contaminants in the waste material. Focus maintains a database of treatment data from treatability testing and full-scale operations that can also be beneficial in the feasibility study.

Emission Estimates and Dispersion Modeling  
Estimating the magnitude and impact of air emissions from sources on sensitive receptors is a critical element associated with the design and permitting of industrial processes. Focus has significant experience with estimating emissions and modeling the impact (both screening and site specific modeling programs). Focus has conducted numerous dispersion modeling evaluations associated with stacks from thermal treatment units as well as process vents. Understanding the relationship between modeled results and applicable standards (i.e., averaging times, receptor location, etc.) is a key to evaluating modeling results.

Remedial Specifications  
Development of a solid specification is the key to effective management of any remediation project. For thermal remediation projects, this is critical. Focus has developed a standard set of thermal remediation specifications that can be modified for site specific application. Focus understands what needs to be defined up front to insure that the contractor is bidding on a firm foundation. These specifications have been used to manage thermal remediation projects with less than 2% scope growth.

Request for Proposals  
Packaging the project specifications and documentation to form the basis for a simple bid package that is easy for prospective contractors to respond to makes the bid solicitation and evaluation process much easier. Focus understands the best way to organize the bid items for a thermal remediation project to properly allocate risk and minimize padding of bids by contractors to address unnecessary risk.

Bid Solicitation and Evaluation  
Focus has developed a bid evaluation program for ranking and comparing contractor proposals based on technical approach, project schedule, personnel qualifications, demonstrated project experience, corporate financial status, and project costs.

Ambient Air Monitoring  
Ambient air monitoring may be useful or necessary to determine air migration of contaminants from Superfund and hazardous waste remediation sites. The data generated from the design and implementation of an effective air monitoring program demonstrates protectiveness of off-site receptors, helps maintain contractor schedules and can significantly reduce project costs associated with PPE. Focus has planned, implemented, and/or managed ambient air monitoring programs at a number of sites. Services included performing dispersion modeling to assist in selecting monitoring sites, developing perimeter ambient air monitoring plans, installation and operation of monitoring equipment, management of monitoring data and report preparation.

Performance Testing  
Planning and executing a thermal treatment system performance test program is a critical element in the successful implementation of a thermal remediation project. Focus is nationally recognized for its expertise in performance test planning and management. Our staff have been involved in over 100 performance testing projects which have been conducted to comply with the requirements of RCRA, TSCA, the Clean Air Act, MACT, and state air quality regulations. Performance testing services include test planning, feed spiking, material sampling (feed and treated), stack sampling, analytical services, quality assurance/quality control, and report preparation. In addition, Focus can assist in regulatory negotiations and in preparing responses to questions from regulatory agencies. Focus also maintains a database of performance test results from numerous remediation sites.

Remedial Action Oversight  
Focus has provided remedial action field oversight services at several high profile thermal and off-site remediation projects. Focus works with the client and the remediation contractor to develop the most cost effective approach for developing each of the components of the Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP). The function of the oversight team is to then ensure that the completed remedial action meets or exceeds all design criteria, remedial design specifications, complies with all RAWP requirements, and that the remediation contractor meets all contractual requirements. Focus has extensive experience in the following areas of remedial action field oversight: site preparation and construction, thermal treatment system mobilization/erection, thermal treatment system startup and shakedown, performance testing, thermal treatment system process operations QA/QC, excavation and backfill activities, soild and water sampling and analysis, offsite transportation and disposal activities, ambient air monitoring, equipment decontamination/demobilization, site closure and restoration.

Process Design and Evaluation  
Focus` process engineering services include evaluation, process design, and operations support services for industrial thermal treatment and air pollution control processes, mobile thermal treatment processes, and other industrial processes.

Startup Assistance and Troubleshooting  
Startup and shakedown includes all activities from the completion of mechanical erection to initiation of the performance test. Typical QA services that Focus provides during startup and shakedown activities include: field verification of process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams; development, review, witness or execution of instrument calibration procedures; review and testing of process data acquisition, recording, storage, and downloading systems; verfication of continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) system calibration, drift test, and cylinder gas audit test procedures and results; development, review, witness or execution of process interlocks and programming logic checks; and review of operator training records and qualifications.

Operations Support  
Focus engineering and field support staff members have practical hands-on field operating experience with thermal treatment plant operations. This experience includes optimizing process operating conditions, troubleshooting process and performance problems, developing operating and maintenance procedures, configuring and programming process control systems, testing CEM systems, and training plant operators. Focus also has provided thermal process board operators for specific projects.

Contractor Database  
Focus has compiled a database of remediation projects where thermal desorption has been used to remediate the site. The database includes information such as thermal remediation contractor, site size, thermal process used, costs, durations and numerous other project related information. This database is useful for negotiating with the regulatory agencies regarding application of specific technologies and estimating costs.

Treatment Database  
Focus has compiled a database of treatment data from treatability studies and full scale applications. The data includes the type of testing equipment or process equipment used, feed soil concentrations, treated soil concentrations and treatment temperatures. This database is useful for evaluating the potential to meet a cleanup goals for a specific contaminants at a given site.

Performance Test Database  
Focus has compiled a database of performance test data where thermal desorption has been used to remediate the site. The database includes information such as stack flow rates, stack temperatures, dioxins and furans, metals, HCl, particulate and numerous other stack data. This database is useful for negotiating with the regulatory agencies regarding application of specific thermal technologies and establishment of specific emission standards.

Remediation Cost Model  
Focus has developed a thermal remediation cost model that allows the buildup of a cost estimate for thermal remediation projects based primarily on labor rates, utility costs and equipment depreciation. Inputs for the cost model are provided by the Focus mass and energy balance model and current site specific labor and utility rates.

Mass and Energy Balance (MEBs)  
Focus has developed mass and energy balance programs that can be used to model thermal processes both for design purposes (equipment sizing) and regulatory compliance purposes (emission rates, dispersion modeling inputs, etc.). Focus has used this tool to model numerous thermal processes with varying configurations and operating conditions.