A thermal blanket is a device used in in-situ thermal desorption (ISTD) to clean large area soil contamination. The primary function of a thermal blanket is to heat the soil to the boiling point of the contaminants (usually 800 to 1,000°C). The contaminants break down. A vacuum pulls the resulting gas (along with some contaminants) into a separate air cleaner that may use various methods, such as carbon filters and high-heat ovens, to completely destroy the contaminants.

Deep contaminations are handled using a similar method with a deep penetrating heat source. This is commonly referred to as an ISTD thermal well.

Concerns

There is a concern that as a contaminant becomes heated, it may leak outside of the area of the thermal blanket. Therefore, the blanket must completely cover the contaminated area and have a strong enough vacuum to prohibit the spread of contaminations.

Incomplete destruction of contaminants may lead to the introduction of dioxins

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are by-products of various industrial processes, and are commonly regarded as highly toxic compounds that are environmental pollutants and persistent organic pollutants . They include:...

 and furans into the air.

This method has not been effectively tested on organic contaminants.

External links

• A description of thermal blankets