SUCCESSFUL THERMAL CONDUCTIVE HEATING PROJECT FOR CELTIC

Celtic have recently successfully completed a Thermal Conductive Heating (TCH) enhanced Dual Phase Vacuum Extraction (DPVE) contract, targeting hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds at an active manufacturing plant in the UK. Working for a major international consultancy, who characterised the plume and designed the thermal remediation strategy, Celtic designed, constructed and operated the system, which was constructed to ATEX requirements due to potential explosive concentrations of the contaminants of concern. Logistical difficulties of operating within an active factory environment with significant space constraints were overcome through detailed in-house system design and continuous dialogue with the client throughout the design process. Thermal conductive heating was used to mobilise contamination within the target zone and accelerate the removal of contaminants via the extraction system. Following 60 days of heating and 30 additional days of DPVE system operation, significant contaminant mass had been removed and system operation had exceeded 98% uptime, exceeding the client’s target of 95%. Continuous monitoring of temperature, pressure, vapour concentrations and mass recovery within the system, with data fed to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), ensured that the system could be run without supervision, with telemetry notification in the event of system shutdown. Dilution valves controlled by PLC helped to achieve the uptime target, by allowing fresh dilution air into the system, rather than shutting down, should monitoring parameters be momentarily exceeded. The extraction system included both dewatering and vapour extraction elements, with both streams passing through heat exchanger systems prior to entry to the water and vapour treatment systems. Celtic’s system design and operation enabled the client to achieve its project objectives in a timely manner, and to be able to present the project outcomes to the regulator with confidence.