Description: The potential of treatment technologies for the cost-effective remediation of contaminated land is becoming more widely recognised. In particular, on-site, ex-situ methods avoid the environmental impacts and costs associated with transportation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil. This report is a case study which describes the state of development of a mobile low-temperature thermal desorption soil remediation unit (SRU) operated in the UK by British Aerospace Royal Ordnance. The principles of thermal desorption, its applicability and limitations are explained and the SRU plant and process described. The report includes information on two remediation trials: hydrocarbon-contaminated sand and PCB-contaminated clay. The trials are described and the results presented and interpreted. Cost analyses are included and cost-sensitive factors are identified. Part of CIRIA's contaminated land programme.

Keywords: contaminated land, ground improvement, pollution prevention, urban regeneration