The STARx process uses smoldering combustion to treat contaminated soils and liquid organic wastes. Smoldering is an exothermic, flameless combustion that takes place on the surface of solids or liquids. In contrast to other thermal processes that require continuous inputs of energy, the smoldering process is self-sustaining following a short duration, low energy input ‘ignition event’. The process is very robust and well-suited for treating oily wastes or oil-contaminated soils with many potential applications to the oil and gas and chemical manufacturing industries.

This presentation describes the results from a collaboration between Savron and Chevron Energy Technology Company to apply STARx in a simple soil pile configuration to treat heavy hydrocarbon wastes from an oil/waste separator pond in South East Asia. Using the results and lessons learned, the technology has been developed for larger scale centralized treatment facilities and/or smaller scale mobile systems.

The treatment costs for the STARx/Hottpad technology were found to be competitive with the lowest cost alternatives (off-site disposal or cement kiln). STARx/Hottpad out-performed alternatives with respect to carbon footprint and simplicity of operation. It resulted in a reduction of vehicle traffic, is modular and transportable, and has a small physical footprint allowing it to be used on site. This presentation will present the design, operational features and performance of the full-scale field operation of the STARx/Hottpad technology.

Primary Author/Conference Presenter:
Cody Murray
Engineer
Savron Solutions
Guelph, ON, Canada

Co-Authors:
Gabriel P. Sabadell, Savron, Lafayette, CO
Grant Scholes, Savron, Guelph, ON
Gavin P. Grant, Savron, Guelph, ON
David Major, Savron, Guelph, ON
Dave Thomas, Chevron Environmental Technology Company (ETC), Perth, Western Australia