Abstract: Treating Exploration and Production Wastes with Low Temperature Thermal Desorption (LTTD)

Gregory E. Ogden

Oil exploration and production activities typically generate considerable quantities of hydrocarbon contaminated wastes. These wastes, including drilling muds and reserve pit residues contain light to heavy hydrocarbons (diesel, kerosene, etc.). While these wastes are not currently regulated, the increased regulatory scrutiny and environmental awareness has resulted in the need to remediate these soils and sludges during site closure.

Low Temperature Thermal Desorption (LTTD) is an effective treatment process for remediating these soils and sludges. The LTTD process has been used by Southwest Soil Remediation, Inc. to treat over 150,000 tons of soils with light to heavy hydrocarbon contamination. The poster will present an overview of the LTTD process, the system capabilities and achievable treatment levels for remediating hydrocarbon contaminated soils.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994