Abstract:
This specification discloses a method and apparatus for the remediation of soil contaminated by pollutants. The method utilizes a unitary mobile remediation apparatus in which the soil is impounded, metered, and transported to be sprayed with a treatment spray, pulverized, and mixed to blend the spray with the soil. The disclosed unitary mobile remediation apparatus utilizes mechanical, gravimetric, inertial methods, and enclosed conveyors to accomplish the flow of the soil through the apparatus and also includes adjustable and separately supplied spray nozzles to alter the amount and coverage area of the treatment spray to be ejected by the nozzles. The apparatus also utilizes a screen to prevent the entry of excessively large objects into the treatment apparatus. The disclosed unitary mobile remediation apparatus may be used in a wide variety of soil remediation conditions, and the preferred method includes testing of the soil and consulting of a database to determine the type and amount of treatment spray to utilize in the apparatus in order to accomplish the desired remediation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/117,456, filed Jan. 21, 1999. 
    
    
     The following invention relates generally to an improved method and apparatus for remediating materials contaminated with pollutants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for more easily and effectively remediating contaminated soil. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Remediation of soil contaminated with pollutants has long presented a significant problem for society in general and those who engage or should engage in soil remediation in particular. 
     The following prior art reflects the state of the art of which applicant is aware and is included herewith to discharge applicant&#39;s acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of these references teach singly nor render obvious when considered in any conceivable combination the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 ISSUE DATA 
                 INVENTOR 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 4,913,586 
                 April 3, 1990 
                 Gabbita 
               
               
                 4,927,293 
                 May 22, 1990 
                 Campbell 
               
               
                 5,039,415 
                 August 13, 1991 
                 Smith 
               
               
                 5,045,240 
                 September 3, 1991 
                 Skriba, et al. 
               
               
                 5,161,326 
                 November 10, 1992 
                 Weirich, et al. 
               
               
                 5,236,282 
                 August 17, 1993 
                 Teasel, et al. 
               
               
                 5,271,694 
                 December 21, 1993 
                 Cooper 
               
               
                 5,295,761 
                 March 22, 1994 
                 Heacock, et al. 
               
               
                 5,342,146 
                 August 30, 1994 
                 Cooper 
               
               
                 5,593,888 
                 January 14, 1997 
                 Glaze, et al. 
               
               
                 5,631,160 
                 May 20, 1997 
                 Bruso 
               
               
                 5,637,154 
                 June 10, 1997 
                 Shorthouse 
               
               
                 5,824,541 
                 October 20, 1998 
                 Horn, et al. 
               
               
                 5,830,752 
                 November 3, 1998 
                 Bruso 
               
               
                 5,854,061 
                 December 29, 1998 
                 Horn, et al. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Notwithstanding the substantial efforts at developing remediation methods and apparatus in the prior art, the prior art methods and apparatus have not provided an effective, efficient, economical, and at the same time flexible and relatively easy-to-use means of remediating contaminated soil under a wide variety of conditions. In addition, while prior art methods and apparatus have often provided methods and apparatus that are effective at certain focused aspects of a remediation effort, such as mixing the contaminated soil with remediating substances such as chemicals or biological agents, the prior art methods and apparatus also have not provided a single apparatus that (i) is sufficiently mobile and flexible so that it can move from one contaminated area to a differently contaminated area easily, (ii) has the ability to treat both organic and inorganic or a multiple of individual contaminants at the same time, (iii) can be utilized relatively easily, and (iv) ensures thorough, and safe, mixing of the remediating substance with the contaminated soil. 
     For example, the Gabbita reference discloses a mobile apparatus for soil remediation. The Gabbita apparatus removes the soil with an included shovel, which is used to place the soil on a conveyor belt on the apparatus, which then deposits the soil and a remediation substance into a rotating mixer. The rotating mixer mixes the soil and remediation substance and then deposits the mixed soil and substance out the back end of the mixer. 
     Although the Gabbita apparatus and method does provide a single mobile apparatus and presumably would mix the soil and remediation substance to some degree, the apparatus is somewhat complicated, expensive to manufacture, and cumbersome to move due to the digging structure mounted on the apparatus. In addition, the conveyor of the Gabbita reference is located in a relatively unsafe position in which soil can fall off the conveyor directly above the location of the operator. 
     Also, the mixer of the Gabbita reference is not likely to ensure provision of adequate air entrainment for effective treatment or thorough mixing of the soil and remediating substance, particularly under varying conditions of use of the Gabbita apparatus and method in the field. In this regard, the Gabbita reference does not indicate how the device would be used in situations other than that for which it is designed—remediation of soil contaminated by hydrocarbons. 
     The Gabbita device further includes a single discharge outlet for ejection of the treatment fluid into the Gabbita mixer. The Gabbita apparatus thus does not provide for quick and easy alteration or adjustment of the nature of the treatment fluid, the volume of the fluid to be dispensed into the mixer, or the area to be covered by the treatment fluid when poured into the Gabbita mixer. 
     The other prior art listed above but not specifically described, further catalog the prior art of which the applicant is aware. These references diverge even more starkly from the references specifically distinguished above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The applicant has invented a novel apparatus and method for remediating soil from an area contaminated with pollutants. The method involves testing the contaminated soil from the area to determine the type and amount of a treatment to spray to a given unit volume of contaminated soil from the area. A portion of the soil is then removed from the ground area and deposited into the mobile remediation apparatus. The mobile remediation apparatus is then used to impound, meter and transport the contaminated soil to the treatment chamber in order to spray the removed soil with a treatment spray, to pulverize or mill the removed soil, and mix and blend the treatment spray into the pulverized or milled soil. The mobile apparatus then ejects the treated soil. 
     Preferably, the mobile apparatus is unitary and largely utilizes mechanical means, gravity and inertia in order to accomplish the flow of the contaminated soil from the depositing of the soil into the apparatus through the ejecting of the soil from the apparatus. The mobile apparatus also preferably has a plurality of segregated spray circuits with adjustable spray nozzles and respective treatment fluid supply reservoirs, so that the nature and amount of the spray, and area covered by the spray, can be readily adjusted to accommodate varying needs of use of the apparatus to treat varying types of contamination or to effect varying treatment conditions. 
     In addition, the preferred mobile apparatus has a screen gate and other structure to prevent excessively large objects such as rocks, concrete or debris from entering into the portion of the apparatus utilized for treatment of the contaminated soil. Most preferably, the preferred apparatus is self-contained and sufficiently steerable and mobile to be utilized in a wide variety of conditions and locations. 
     There are other aspects and alternative or preferred embodiments of the invention. They will become apparent as the specification proceeds. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an economical, new and novel method and apparatus for the treatment and remediation of contaminated soils. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a device as characterized above which is durable in construction, safe to use and lends itself to mass production techniques. 
     Viewed from a first vantage point it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of remediating soil from a ground area contaminated with pollutants, the method comprising the steps of: testing the contaminated soil from the ground area to determine the type of contamination(s) present in the contaminated soil and the type and amount of treatment spray to apply per unit volume of the contaminated soil to be remediated; removing a portion of the contaminated soil from the ground area and depositing the contaminated soil portion into the mobile remediation apparatus; using the mobile remediation apparatus to: (i) impound, meter, and transport the contaminated soil to the treatment chamber; (ii) spray the treatment spray at the contaminated soil portion; (iii) pulverize the contaminated soil portion into a generally finer grained particulate matrix; and (iv) mix and blend the treatment spray into the contaminated soil portion to yield a treated soil portion; and ejecting the treated soil portion from the remediation apparatus. 
     Viewed from a second vantage point it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of remediating soil from a ground area contaminated with pollutants, the method comprising the steps of: removing a sample of contaminated soil from the ground area; testing the contaminated soil sample from the ground area and consulting a remediation database to determine the type and amount of remediation treatment material to apply per unit volume of the contaminated soil sample in order to remediate the contaminated soil sample; removing a portion of the contaminated soil from the ground area and depositing the contaminated soil portion into a soil receptacle/hopper on the unitary mobile remediation apparatus; within the soil receptacle/hopper of the unitary mobile remediation apparatus: (i) impound, meter, and transport the contaminated soil to the treatment chamber (ii) ejecting the remediation treatment material at the contaminated soil portion; (iii) pulverizing the contaminated soil portion into a generally finer grained particulate matrix; and (iv) mixing and blending the remediation treatment material into the contaminated soil portion to yield a treated soil portion; and ejecting the treated soil portion from the unitary mobile remediation apparatus; whereby the contaminated soil portion is returned to the ground area in a substantially remediated condition. 
     Viewed from a third vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for treatment of remediation of soils, comprising, in combination: means for leading soil to be treated into a treatment chamber; spray means for contacting the soil; and comminution means for pulverizing the soil. 
     These and other objects will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The applicants preferred method and apparatus are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic concept view of soil treatment components mounted within one embodiment of the applicant&#39;s preferred unitary mobile apparatus for accomplishing the soil treatment method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the applicant&#39;s preferred unitary mobile apparatus shown in FIG. 1, for use in the applicant&#39;s preferred method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front side view of the applicant&#39;s preferred unitary mobile apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG.  4 (A &amp; B) is a flow chart of the applicant&#39;s preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a generally isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a preferred unitary mobile apparatus for use in the method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the interior conveyer area of the FIG. 5 embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The applicant&#39;s preferred method can utilize one embodiment of unitary mobile soil remediation apparatus shown, generally by reference numeral  10  in FIGS. 2 and 3. Mounted within the unitary soil remediation apparatus  10  are, as shown in FIG. 1, a storage hopper or soil receptacle  12 , a soil conveyor  14 , a treatment chamber  16 , three spray bars with treatment material nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22 , three bar/nozzle supply lines  24 ,  26 ,  28 , three bar/nozzle supply reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34 , and a blending or comminution mill  36 . Each of the supply reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  is adapted to contain treatment material or fluids (not shown) deposited into the reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  by an operator. The supply reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  are respectively connected to bar/nozzle supply lines  24 ,  26 ,  28 , which in turn are respectively connected to the spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22 . 
     The spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  are mounted on the top side  38  of the treatment chamber. The spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  are thus adapted to inject treatment material or fluid (not shown) from their respective supply reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  downwardly into the confines of the treatment chamber  16  and thereby come into contact with contaminated soil passing (not shown) as it passes through the treatment chamber  16  as described in further detail below. 
     The soil hopper  12  preferably has a screen or gate  40  (shown in FIG. 3) removably mounted on the upper end of the soil hopper  12 . The apertures in the screen or gate  40  are sized to prevent excessively large objects from entering into the soil hopper  12 . 
     The storage hopper  12  preferably has a means for controlling (not shown) and metering the flow of contaminated soil through the lower end  42  of the soil hopper  12  onto the conveyor  14  below the lower end  42  of the soil hopper  12 . This means for metering flow is preferably adapted to maintain a relatively constant flow of contaminated soil through the soil hopper  12  when deposited in the soil hopper  12  by an operator or other mechanism (not shown). 
     Preferably, the means for metering flow rate is an adjustable damper (not shown) mounted within the soil hopper  12  adjacent its lower end  42 . The damper is raised or lowered to create the desired size of an opening (not shown) in the damper. This means for metering can also be automated via controls adapted to measure the flow rate, and to automatically harmonize the actual flow rate of contaminated soil with the desired process soil flow rate. 
     The conveyor  14  preferably has a conveyor belt  44  with outwardly projecting ridges (not shown) that hold the soil in place as the belt transports the contaminated soil from the lower end  42  of the soil hopper  12  and deposits the contaminated soil in the treatment chamber  16 . It is preferred that the treatment chamber  16  include a means (not shown) for measuring and metering the flow rate of contaminated soil entering the treatment chamber  16 . This means for measuring should preferably include a means for adjusting, by manual or automated controls, the speed of the conveyor belt  44  in order to harmonize the actual flow rate of contaminated soil entering the treatment chamber  16  with the desired flow rate. 
     The treatment chamber  16  preferably includes a continuation (not shown) of the conveyor  14  into the chamber  16  but not extending beyond the confines of the chamber  16 . Alternatively, the contaminated soil may be transferred to another means (not shown) of inducing the contaminated soil to pass through the treatment chamber  16  (such as a treatment chamber  16  incline adjuster (not shown)) to achieve the flow of contaminated soil through the treatment chamber  16  at the desired rate. 
     As noted above, the spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  inject chemical and/or biological treatment reagents and/or catalyst solutions from their respective supply reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  into contact with contaminated soil deposited into the treatment chamber  16 . In this fashion, within the treatment chamber  16  one or plurality of chemical/biological reagent/catalyst solutions is introduced to the contaminated soil via the topical spraying of the solutions at or into the soil, as desired. The topical spraying is performed by the plurality of segregated spraying circuits or supply lines  24 ,  26 ,  28  that respectively connect the material supply reservoirs or containment vessels  30 ,  32 ,  34  to the respective spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  in the top side  28  of the treatment chamber  16  as noted above. 
     Preferably, each spray circuit, e.g.,  24 , is adapted to accommodate one or a plurality of removable and adjustable spray nozzles (not shown) mounted on a sprayer bar, e.g.,  18 , in the top or another side of the treatment chamber  16 . The selection and number of the spray nozzles or spray heads to be employed in a given remediation project is based on the prior calculations and bench test results (described below) in order to accomplish the desired spray dispersal pattern and flow rate within the treatment chamber  16 . 
     The spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  are thus oriented on the appropriate side of the treatment chamber  16  in order to faciliate the discharge of the reagent/catalyst solution into the contaminated soil. In the preferred embodiment, the reagent/catalyst solution is pressurized or otherwise ejected by artificial force through the spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22 . Preferably, the spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  are adjustable or otherwise connected to a means to control and adjust the rate of flow of solution or treatment material through and out of the spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22 . Preferably, the flow rate through a given nozzle, e.g.,  18 , is controlled via switches ( 58  in FIG. 2) that may be variably opened or closed to maintain the desired flow of treatment spray or material into contact with the contaminated soil passing through the treatment chamber  16 . 
     The spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  also preferably include the means (not shown) to control and adjust the size and/or shape of orifices (not shown) in the spray head (not shown) of the spray nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  in order to achieve a specific dispersal pattern. This dispersal pattern can thereby be controlled and adjusted in order to produce the desired area of impact of the treatment spray or material upon the soil. 
     As noted above, the preferred embodiment has a plurality of segregated storage vessels or reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  and a plurality of segregated spray circuits or supply lines  24 ,  26 ,  28 . This configuration of independent or respectively interconnected reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  and supply lines  24 ,  26 ,  28  allows for a single or multiple of modes of introducing several types of chemical/biological reagents/catalysts to the contaminated soil. In one mode, a single type or pre-mix of reagent/catalyst is deposited into each storage vessel  30 ,  32 ,  34  and discharged by the plurality of respectively supplied spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22 . This allows the nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  to discharge a larger volume of treatment spray during one pass through the treatment chamber  16 . 
     In a second mode, differing types or mixtures of treatment materials or fluids are deposited in the disparate reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34 . The respectively supplied bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  can thus each discharge their respectively supplied and differing treatment materials into the treatment chamber  16 . In this mode, a variety of differing chemical/biological reagents/catalysts may be readily introduced in a controlled and easily measured and adjusted fashion into the treatment chamber  16  and thereby into contact with contaminated soil passing through the treatment chamber  16 , thereby providing an opportunity to treat a multiple of contaminants, organic or inorganic, during a single pass of a given volume of the contaminated soil through the treatment chamber and, as shown in FIG. 2, the entire remediation apparatus  10 . 
     With reference back to FIG. 1, it is to be understood that the present method may operate successfully with various alternative configurations of treatment chambers  16  and spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  and associated spray circuits  24 ,  26 ,  28  and supply reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34 . For example, an alternative embodiment could include a single storage vessel or reservoir adapted to supply more than one of the spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22  or could have a single storage reservoir adapted to supply a single high volume spray bar/nozzle. These types of alternative arrangements may be more desirable in order to economize or to achieve a more compact structure of the preferred embodiment, or to provide a specialized apparatus for use in particular types of soil contamination environments. 
     The treatment chamber  16  is oriented above or at an incline to, as well as adjacent to, the upper end of the blending mill  36 . As a result, the contaminated and sprayed soil from the treatment chamber  16  flows by force of gravity and inertia (due to the flow of contaminated soil through the treatment chamber  16 ) from the treatment chamber  16  into the blending mill.  36 . 
     The blending mill  36  contains a rotational mill (not shown) or mills of opposing impact surfaces (not shown) of the type included in conventional soil shredders or hammer mills but modified and optimized to the present purpose. The blending mill  36  shreds and impacts the contaminated soil to reduce the contaminated soil to a granular and finely-divided particulate state, while also creating a more uniform blend of the matrix soil elements. 
     The preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 also includes a means (not shown) to control and adjust the amount of blending, mixing, and particle reduction taking place within the mill and resulting from the action of the mill. This allows the preferred embodiment to create the desired surface exposure for contact of the treatment reagents/catalysts, to yield the desired reaction with the particular volume of contaminated soil within the mill  36 . 
     Since soil contamination often adheres to the surface of the soil grains or particles, and smaller particles have the largest surface area per unit of weight, a majority of the soil contamination is usually located on the smaller particles. It is therefore preferred to expose the surface of the smallest particles to the treatment reagent/catalyst. On the other hand, it is generally undesirable for the blending mill to pulverize or decompose the soil elements into a powdery or dust-like state, in which the soil loses its original consistency and cannot be readily reconstituted and compacted into a useable consistency. 
     In addition, the action of the blending mill  36  on the contaminated soil, as thus controlled and adjusted, preferably creates a uniform blend of the matrix soil, to achieve the desired distribution of reagent/catalyst throughout a given volume of soil. In addition, the action of the blending mill  36 , in creating a uniform blend of the matrix or the treated soil, additionally enhances the ability to reconstitute and compact the soil to a useable consistency. This is an advantage of the preferred embodiment over certain prior art systems, in which the treatment reagent/catalyst is sprayed on the soil after the soil is ejected from the shredding or impacting mill, or in which during treatment, segregation of matrix elements occurs. 
     In addition, the action of the blending mill  36 , working in an environment that is permeable to the free flow of air through the blending mill  36 , a large volume of air entrainment occurs to aerate the treated soil. Although not always required for the efficacy of certain chemical or biological reagents, the presence of air in the matrix often enhances the working of such reagents/catalysts. In addition, the presence of air in the matrix is typically necessary in order to reconstitute and compact the soil into a useable consistency. 
     The blending mill  36  includes an ejector port (not shown in FIG. 1) in the lower end of the mill  36 . This allows the mill  36  to eject the milled/treated soil from the blending mill  36  to be discharged from the mill  36  and thereby from the apparatus  10  as shown in FIG.  2 . Referring back to FIG. 1, however, the blending mill  36  preferably discharges milled soil through the ejector port by the force of gravity together with the inertial force due to the movement of the contaminated soil through the mill  36 . 
     Preferably, the blending mill  36  discharges the milled soil directly onto the ground (not shown). Alternatively, the blending mill  36  discharges the milled soil onto a means (not shown) of containment or transport (such as a stacking conveyor) of the milled/treated soil, as desired. It is an advantage of the preferred embodiment that the milled/treated soil need not be formed or maintained in any particular physical shape or configuration after discharge from the blending mill  36 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 2, the preferred remediation apparatus  10  is preferably unitary, entirely self contained, and mobile. The mobile apparatus  10  is preferably mounted on continuous tracks or series of powered wheels, e.g.,  46 , and provided with an engine  48  and associated linkages, driving, and mounting structure in a fashion well known in the art. 
     The treatment fluid or material reservoirs  30 ,  32 ,  34  are mounted on the apparatus  10  above the drive system, e.g.,  46 , and adjacent the conveyor  14 . Preferably, the switch means for controlling the flow of treatment spray or material, e.g.,  58 , is located on the mobile remediation apparatus  10  in a position readily available to and viewable by an operator. The treatment chamber  16  and blending mill  36 , as shown in FIG. 1, are mounted within the confines of remediation housing  50 . The mill drive  54  is mounted to the side of the housing  50  in order to drive the opposed mill surfaces (not shown) in the preferred embodiment as described above. 
     The ejection port  56  from the blending mill  36  spans between drive system  46 ,  52  in order to deposit the blended soil from the blending mill  36  (not shown in FIG. 2) onto the ground, preferably as the mobile apparatus moves in order to spread the ejected soil generally on the area of the ground from which the soil was removed. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 4A &amp; B, the preferred method of the present invention is as follows. First, statistically valid samples of the soil from the area of the ground, or other soil stock, to be treated are collected. The samples are subjected to laboratory tests. The sample collecting and testing procedures collect data pertaining to the type or types and concentration(s) of contaminants in the soil and the condition of the soil, such as the soil density, moisture content, pH, and soil type. 
     The preferred method utilizes a database containing specifications pertaining to formulations of chemical or biological reagents or catalysts that are known to be effective in remediating specific contaminants. Such formulations are represented in the database as a result of their ability to: (i) directly create a chemical reaction with a contaminant; (ii) act as a catalyst to stimulate chemical reactions between the contaminant and other chemical(s) found in the soil or introduced into the soil by the preferred apparatus described above; (iii) introduce micro-organisms known to destroy or neutralize the contaminant in a biological process; (iv) stimulate the growth and/or activity of naturally occurring micro-organisms in the soil; or (v) some combination of these various abilities. The preferred embodiment provides a treatment formulation in fluid form or is capable of being suspended in an aqueous solution without harm to its efficacy. 
     Sources of such formulations include various commercial and governmental entities and publications, including the prior patents. The preferred embodiment is not, however, limited to the use of any specific formulation. The preferred embodiment works flexibly with a wide variety of treatment formulations and preferably as wide a variety as possible given the needs for the apparatus  10  and use of the method as noted herein. 
     The preferred database also contains data pertaining to the appropriateness of various formulations, given differing soil conditions including soil temperatures. The database also contains recommended environmental parameters for these formulations, in order to be effective in given soil conditions. The preferred embodiment of this database runs on a computer, such as IBM compatible Pentium computer. In addition, the preferred embodiment includes the ability for a user to access data from this database through the internet or a proprietary computer network. 
     In the preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 4A, the database is consulted to identify and evaluate the appropriate chemical or biological reagent or catalyst to remediate each contaminant, given the identified soil conditions in the stock of soil, such as the ground area, to be treated (c). The database is also consulted for purposes of making calculations of the appropriate volume, mix, and application temperature of reagent and/or catalyst to remediate the contamination to the degree desired. Therefore, the proper selection, formulation, mix, and temperature may differ with each use of this method depending upon the type or types of contaminant(s) in a given instance of contaminated soil. 
     Once the calculations have been made, the reagent/catalyst solution(s) is (are) prepared for use (d). A portion of this solution is employed in confirmatory testing, also known as a bench test. The testing seeks to validate and, if necessary, determine the modifications necessary to achieve the desired results from the testing (e). In order to perform this testing, a portion of the reagent/catalyst is introduced to a test quantity of contaminated soil via a topical spraying, which is then followed by milling of the sprayed contaminated soil in a test blending mill. Preferably, this spraying and blending takes place within a miniature test replica of the apparatus shown and described in FIGS. 1-3 above. Referring back to FIG. 4A, this makes it possible to conduct a reliable, valid bench test, which reasonably duplicates the essential aspects or elements of the actual remediation project being tested. This bench test solves a significant problem in the prior art, in which the ability to predict success from a method of apparatus in the actual remediation project, could only be roughly inferred rather than pre-confirmed prior to engaging in the full scale remediation project. 
     Once the bench test has been completed (f), the reagent/catalyst formulation is transferred to, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage containment vessels  30 ,  32 ,  34 . If a specific or minimum temperature of the formulation is prescribed by the testing and associated calculations, the reagent/catalyst may be heated or cooled as needed prior to transfer to the vessels  30 ,  32 ,  34 . Also, the vessels  30 ,  32 ,  34  may be equipped with heating and/or cooling means (not shown) to create and/or maintain this temperature. 
     Referring back to FIG. 4A, the database is further consulted and/or calculations are made to determine the appropriate flow rate for soil through the apparatus  10 . Calculations are also made to determine the appropriate flow rate and dispersion pattern of the reagent/catalyst through the spray bar/nozzles  18 ,  20 ,  22 . Based on these calculations, appropriate adjustments are made to the various rate control structures identified above in order to achieve the desired flows of contaminated soil and volume of treatment spray or material (g) as also described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3. 
     With reference again to FIG. 4A, a portion of the contaminated soil is then deposited through a removable object screen or sieve (not shown) into the storage hopper  12  as shown in FIG.  1 . Contaminated soil flows from the hopper  12  to the conveyor  14  (i), and intermittently, the flow rate of soil from the hopper  12  to the conveyor  14  is routinely checked and adjusted to regulate the flow (j, k). 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 4B, the conveyor  14  conveys the contaminated soil via metering oriface to the treatment chamber  16  (l). Here  16 , the contaminated is sprayed with treatment reagents/catalysts (m) and the sprayed soil is conveyed to the blending mill  36  (n). 
     The blending mill  36  then pulverizes the sprayed soil as described above (o). This creates a more uniform, and preferably uniform in fact, blend of the spray with the pulverized soil (p). The blended soil is then discharged or ejected from the blending mill  36  as described above (q). 
     Soil samples from the ejected soil are then taken and tested to confirm that the soil has been decontaminated or remediated to the degree desired (r). If the remediation process involves a biological process taking place in the treated soil, it may be desirable to either wait a suitable amount of time before taking the samples, or taking multiple samples over time to confirm that the soil has been sufficiently remediated, prior to any backfilling or final placement of the ground area to which the treated soil is returned or in which it is otherwise deposited. 
     If the decontamination is completed (s), the remediation effort is completed for the ground or soil area treated and tested (t). If the decontamination is not completed (u), the remediation process is repeated for the soil previously tested and treated. The preferred method and apparatus accommodates any number of iterations until the desired level of remediation has taken place, thereby protecting the environment and surrounding soil from new or additional pre-completion exposure to contamination. 
     With reference now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the preferred mobile apparatus, generally  100 , of the present invention has a treatment material storage hopper  112  mounted above and immediately adjacent a central material conveyor  114  and to the side and spaced from a flow rate meter float switch  116 , which is disposed to the side of and spaced from a treatment and rotor chamber or mill  118 . The central material conveyor  114 , hopper  112 , float switch  116 , and treatment and rotor chamber  118  are mounted on a conventional housing (not shown) surrounding and enclosing two hydraulic fluid reservoirs  120 ,  122 , three chemical tanks  124 ,  126  and  128 , a row of batteries  130 , and an engine (not shown) within an engine compartment  132 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 5, the rear end, generally  136 , of the alternative embodiment  100  is supported on and driven by a set of rear tracks, e.g.,  134 , with one such track disposed on each side of the mobile apparatus  100 . The tracks, e.g.,  134 , are driven by the engine in a fashion well known to those skilled in the art. 
     The front end, generally  138 , is supported by two opposing wheels, e.g.,  140 , with one such wheel disposed on each side of the mobile apparatus  100 . The wheels, e.g.,  140 , are interconnected by a connecting rod  142  which in turn is connected to a remote-control steering linkage (not shown) controllable by radio control via radio signals received at an antenna  144  also mounted at the front end  138  of the mobile apparatus  100 . 
     The storage hopper  112  of the alternative embodiment  110  has a removable rock screen  146  mounted over the mouth  148  at the upper end of the storage hopper  112 . One side of the rock screen  146  is secured to the hopper mouth or upper edge  148  by hinges, e.g.,  150 , so that the other, unhinged side of the rock screen  146  may be rotated upwardly in order to allow an operator to gain access into the interior  152  of the hopper  112 . In this regard, rotatable and removable rod holders, e.g.,  152 , are also mounted within additional hinges, e.g.,  154 , on the upper edge  148  of the hopper  112  in order to slidably mount in the additional hinges, e.g.  154 , at one end  156  and support the non-hinged side of the rock screen  146  in an open position, upwardly spaced from the hopper mouth  148 . The rock screen  146  may thus be placed in a closed or screening position adjacent and abutting the hopper mouth  148  by removal of the rod holders, e.g.,  152 , and rotation of the unhinged end of the rock screen  146  downwardly toward and into contact with the hopper mouth  148 . 
     The hopper  112  of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5 has, as also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a material doorway or passage  158  at the end of the hopper  112  nearest the rotor chamber  118 . The size of the material doorway  158  is controllable by adjusting a volume door plate  160  upward or downward (B) as desired with respect to the material doorway  158 . The volume door plate  160  has two vertical slots  162 ,  164  penetrating the plate  160 , and two mating studs  163 ,  165  threaded into mating threaded holes  167 ,  169  in the interior of the hopper  112  adjacent opposing sides of the material doorway  158  penetrate the slots  162 ,  164 . The mating studs  163 ,  165  lockingly secure the slidable plate  160  in the desired position vertically with respect to the doorway and the conveyor  114  which passes through the doorway  158  below the slidable, and thereby vertically adjustable, door plate  160 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the float switch  116  has float arm  166  mounted on a float rod  168  spanning the width of the conveyor belt  114 , which passes below the float switch  116 . The opposing ends of the float rod  168  are rotatably secured to vertical side panels  170 ,  172  at the opposing sides of the conveyor  114  between the hopper  112  and the rotor chamber  118 . The float rod  168  can thus rotate in a vertical plane upwardly and downwardly with respect to the conveyor  114  on the upper surface of soil or other material passing by the float switch  116  from the hopper  112  into the rotor chamber  118 . A material kick-back screen  174  is mounted above the float switch  116  between the hopper  112  and rotor chamber  118  in order to prevent soil or other material passing through that vicinity on the central conveyor  114  from accidentally being ejected outwardly from the mobile apparatus  100 . 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the treatment rotor chamber  118  has three spray bars/nozzles  176 ,  178 ,  180  mounted on the upper end of the chamber  118  above an inertia/gravity-feed material entry-way or passage  182  into the interior of the chamber  118 . Each of the spray bars  176 ,  178 ,  180  has a number of removable spray nozzles, e.g.,  184 ,  186  in FIG. 5, mounted within the periphery of the associated spray bars  176 ; and the degree of upward movement of the float switch  116  above the conveyor  114  is calibrated to control the number of spray bars  176 ,  178 ,  180  and/or nozzles, e.g.,  184 ,  186 , with regard to flow, that are opened for spraying of the material passing below the spray bars  176 ,  178 ,  180 . In this regard, each of the spray bars  176 ,  178 ,  180  is independently supplied by a respective chemical tank  124 ,  126 ,  128 . As shown in FIG. 6, each supply line, e.g.,  179 , to a spray bar, e.g.,  176 , also has a controllable pump  181  in the line connected to conventional pump controls  183  mounted on the side of the mobile apparatus  100 , allowing an operator to control the amount of chemical or treatment fluid flowing in the supply line, e.g.,  179 , to its associated spray bar  176 . 
     Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a milling rotor  187  is rotatably mounted within the mill chamber  118  below and disposed laterally rearwardly from the spray bars  176 ,  178 ,  180  and transverse to the front-to-rear flow path of material through the milling chamber  118 ; and an ejection conveyor  188  is mounted at the lower end of the mill chamber  118  below the milling rotor  184 . A set of generally vertically-extending finger bars  189  is mounted in the upper end of the mill chamber  118  laterally rearwardly of the milling rotor  187 . The upper end of the finger bars  189  are rotatably secured to the mill chamber  118 , and a spring  191  biases the finger bars into a generally vertical position toward the milling rotor  187  and its associated blades. In this fashion, the finger bars  189  simultaneously urge material flowing through the mill chamber  118  toward and into milling contact with the milling rotor  187  and its milling blades. 
     The ejection conveyor  188  is rotatable upwardly at its rearward end  190  and delivers or ejects the sprayed and milled material off of the rearward end  190  onto the surface (e.g., earth) supporting the mobile apparatus  100 . The main conveyor  114 , milling rotor  187 , and ejection conveyor  188  are all driven by the engine on the mobile apparatus  100  in a fashion well known to those skilled in the art. 
     The preferred method and apparatus are designed to work well in remediating contamination found in construction or demolition debris as well as contamination found in soil. Moreover, the method and apparatus are designed to work in remediating contamination found in a given mass that is a mixture of soil and debris. For example, as is known to those skilled in the art, the apparatus could include a means for crushing, grinding, and/or impacting larger rocks or debris prior to impoundment or depositing in the hopper or receptacle  12 . In this instance, the crushed and impacted rocks and debris are included with and a part of the soil being treated for contamination by the apparatus  10 . 
     The applicant believes that the further design details of those aspects of the preferred embodiment that are referenced herein but not shown in the drawings are well within the skill of the ordinary artisan in the pertinent art. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing is a detailed description of the preferred apparatus and method. The scope of the present invention, however, is to be determined by reference to the accompanying claims. 
     Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.