Photographs available upon Request
THE ANSWER TO MELBOURNE’S
CONTAMINATED SITES?
The most technologically advanced soil decontamination project in Australia – and
only the second clean up of its kind in the world - was unveiled at Springvale today.
The unique thermal desorption technology – approved by the EPA - could be used
extensively to clean contaminated chemical, manufacturing and petroleum sites
around Melbourne.
It could also be a bonanza for the federal and state governments, councils, companies
and authorities managing polluted sites across Australia.
Development of the technology supports the Victorian Government policy to
remediate contaminated soil rather than send it to landfill.
The process is also cheaper and causes minimal disruption to neighbouring properties.
At a cost of $6 million more than 20,000 tonnes of contaminated soil is being treated
on the eight hectare Princes Highway site of Harvey Norman’s largest home maker
centre in Australia.
The contaminated soil is being cleaned and neutralised by the Australian company
Innova Soil Technology using its Direct Heated, Fast Quenched, Thermal Desorption
(DFTD) process.
The process cleans the soil of hydrocarbon contaminants (Polychlorinated Biphenyl
or PCB) by heating the soil in a rotary dryer to almost 500 degrees until the
contaminants are vaporised and reduced to an “undetectable” level.
The evaporated contaminants are then heated to almost 1000 degrees and converted to
harmless carbon dioxide, water and a small portion of acid gas gas, which is then
neutralised.
The decontamination has been undertaken on a 24x7 basis cleansing an average of 15
tonnes of soil an hour since the plant was established on site in the mid year.
Media Release
Thursday, December 11
On completion of the decontamination early next year the site will be removed from
the Victorian EPA Priority Site Register enabling the $300 million construction of the
Harvey Norman store to commence.
Mr. Bruce Dawson, EPA executive director regional services said that on-site
treatment means sending less contaminated soil to landfill.
He said independent monitoring conducted throughout the three-month remediation
process verified the removal of contaminants while conforming to all emission limits.
“Tests so far on more than 250 samples of processed soil report levels of PCB below
the limits of detection”, he said
Dr John Lucas, managing director of Innova, said the company’s equipment was
designed to be moved to locations like Springvale, so remediation could take place on
site.
”The success of the project shows the Innova system could be of benefit to the owners
of many contaminated sites across the state.
“Innova Soil Technology has welcomed the close scrutiny of the EPA and other
Victorian authorities over the Springvale remediation, and we are confident we’ve
demonstrated the effectiveness of the technology and its potential benefit for
Victoria,” he said.
ENDS
For Further information
Clifton Consulting
189 Flinders lane
Melbourne 3000
Tel (03) 9654 3522
Mobile 0402 117 924
NEWS 
