Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How is the machine controlled when there are two trailers?
Our single load KM-4 system is contained on two trailers: one for the processing equipment and one for the feed system. There is an optional generator on board to supply power for both trailers and the control house with state-of-the-art electronic controls that has the controls for both trailers. One operator can handle the controls in either automatic or manual mode.
2. What is a typical cost of operating the machine?
Costs per ton…including fuel, two operators, loader operator and rental and basic maintenance is less than US$ 25.00 per ton. Fuel usage is $8.00 per ton.
3. Can the machine be operated continuously?
A machine can be run continuously 24/7, with up to 24 hours service each weekly/bi-weekly period. All major components (thermal oxidizer, processor chambers, heat exchanger, baghouse have inspection ports. Since the equipment is compact, all of the components and sensors are easily reached from ground level or step-ladder. The KM-4 is designed for easy field servicing.
4. Which parts of the machine require regular maintenance?
Motors and gear boxes are greased daily with the equipment in operation. The grease lines are routed to 5 common stations on the deck of the trailers. The process is completed within 30-minutes.
5. How is the machine fueled?
If using propane, one tank of 5000 gallons or more works best, because the supplier can refill it when needed. This is all supplied by a propane contractor. For natural gas, an industrial site supply is required rather than tanks. The generator requires diesel and has its own tank, which must be kept supplied. The KM-4 is also designed to operate on diesel or fuel oil, and are connected to an external fuel tank.
6. What is the total number of personnel used for every aspect of an 8-hour operation?
We recommend one fully-trained operator and one helper to operate the KM-4 per shift. A loader and operator are needed to keep the soil moving into the infeed system and away from the machine after it's cleaned.
7. What is the easiest soil to clean? What is the most difficult soil the machine can handle?
Throughput depends on 4 factors: Type of soil, moisture content of soil, type of contaminant, level of contaminant. •a. Ideal (27 – 30 tph): Gravelly-sandy soil with less than 15% moisture, Btex or diesel contamination to less than 10,000 mg/kg (ppm)
•b. Worst case: (12 – 15 tph): Soil with over 20% moisture, lubrication oils, PAH or Bunker C contaminants over 20,000 mg/kg.
NOTE:
Moisture content is critical because fuel can be wasted just boiling off water from the soil. Quite often it is much less expensive to pre-treat the soil to remove the moisture either using a trommel or simply turning the piles over daily.
8. What is an optimum operating temperature?
Once you determine the parameters as above from a soil profile, the soil discharge temperature required to clean the soil to the desired level is found in the manual charts. The operator can preset this soil discharge temperature, which speeds up or slows down the augers automatically to give the desired temperature. Desorption is the opposite to absorption, hence the heat vaporizes the hydrocarbons in the Processor or “desorbs" them where the gases are pulled from the Processor by the Induction Fan into the Thermal Oxidizer or secondary heat chamber where they are destroyed. The level of cleaning can be from 99 – 99.9999%.
9. What certifications according to US National and International norms has Enviro-Klean obtained?Operating permits are required for most jurisdictions in North America. These are based on stack test results that prove the equipment meets or exceeds the regulatory guidelines. We have received these permits in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Newfoundland, Alberta, etc. – wherever our equipment has been in operation.
The Enviro-Klean equipment is the only Thermal Desorption equipment listed on the US EPA site and we are approved by the US Military, National Parks for USA and Canada, Korean Military, Karico, PSAPCA and other regulatory authorities.
The Enviro-Klean equipment has been designed to meet California regulations – the most stringent in North America, and can be permitted virtually anywhere in the world based on our test results.
