Background/Objectives. STAR (Self-sustaining Treatment for Active Remediation; Remediation. International PCT Filings PCT/GB2006/004591 and PCT/US12/35248, Granted Patents US 8,132,987 B2, AU 2006323431 B9, JP4934832, and ZL 2006 8 0052554.X) is an innovative approach for remediating nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) source zones. STAR employs smoldering combustion to destroy NAPL within soil porosity and the process sustains itself using the energy released by the exothermic reaction. STAR has been studied extensively at the bench scale and pilot scale for the remediation of heavy hydrocarbons such as coal tar and crude sludges under in and ex situ conditions and under a range of water and NAPL saturations. Although volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as gasoline, diesel, and chlorinated solvents contain significant energy, they also have higher vapour pressures and lower boiling temperatures that present challenges to establishing a self-sustaining smouldering reaction. However, injection of vegetable oil is a common and relatively inexpensive remedial approach and vegetable oil is an excellent candidate for self-sustained smouldering. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of STAR to treat soils contaminated with gasoline, diesel, and chlorinated solvents both without and with the addition of vegetable oil as a supplemental fuel.
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