<PAGE>
                              EXHIBIT 10.32
                    RELEASE AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT

(Purus, Inc., Russell K. Burbank, Peter Friedli, and The Purus Stockholders
Protective Committee)

This agreement (hereinafter "Agreement") is made effective November 19,
1996, by and between Russell K. Burbank, an individual (hereinafter
"Burbank"), on the one part, and jointly and severally Purus, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (hereinafter "Purus"); Peter Friedli, a citizen of
Switzerland (hereinafter "Friedli"); and The Purus Stockholders Protective
Committee, a committee formed by members of a group of dissident
stockholders (hereinafter "the Committee"), on the other part. This
Agreement is made and is to be performed in the City and County of San
Francisco, California, United States of America, and is based upon the
following representations of the parties:

a.   Russell K. Burbank warrants and represents that he has the capacity and
     authority to enter into this Agreement for himself individually, and in
     any other capacity.  

b.   The signatories of this Agreement for the party Purus, Inc. warrant and
     represent that they have the necessary capacity and authority to enter
     into this Agreement for Purus and to bind Purus to perform the
     obligations of this Agreement to be performed by it, to make all
     waivers and releases, and to do or refrain from doing all things
     necessary to completely and fully effect this Agreement.

c.   Peter Friedli warrants and represents that he has the capacity and
     authority to enter into this Agreement for himself individually, and in
     any other capacity.  

d.   The signatories of this Agreement for the party The Purus Stockholders
     Protective Committee warrant and represent that they have the necessary
     capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement for the Committee
     and to bind the Committee to perform the obligations of this Agreement
     to be performed by it, to make all waivers and releases, and to do or
     refrain from doing all things necessary to completely and fully effect
     this Agreement.

e.   On November 11, 1996, the Committee initiated a "proxy fight" for the
     purpose of replacing a majority of the Board of Directors of Purus in
     order to resolve a dispute concerning the Company's future plans and
     direction.

f.   On November 15, 1996, at a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of
     Purus, the Directors discussed the benefits that would accrue to the
     Company if an agreement could be reached between the parties to end the
     proxy fight.

g.   On November 18, 1996, Russell K. Burbank received a proposal from Peter
     Friedli with terms that Friedli believed would satisfy the Committee
     and the dissident group of stockholders that he represents and cause
     the Committee to discontinue the "proxy fight." Friedli's proposal
     included the resignation of Burbank as an employee and director or the
     Company, a follow-on consulting agreement with Burbank, and provisions
     connected with Burbank's severance compensation.

h.   On November 18, 1996, Burbank discussed the Friedli proposal with the
     Board and was told, without a formal resolution of the Board, that if
     he could negotiate an agreement satisfactory to him and Friedli, then
     he should present such agreement to the Board for its consideration.

i.   Russell Burbank warrants that according to his signed time sheets and
     Purus records, on November 19, 1996, he had accrued 235 hours of earned
     vacation, notwithstanding that paragraph 1.01 of this Agreement limits
     the accrued vacation to which he is entitled to 120 hours.

j.   Russell Burbank warrants that his expense reports to the date of the
     execution of this Agreement are properly documented and cover only (i)
     out of pocket business expenses incurred by Burbank solely for the
     benefit of Purus, and (ii) out of pocket dental, medical and vision
     expenses in accordance with a resolution adopted by the Board of
     Directors at its Regular Meeting of May 23, 1996.

k.   Each of the parties has been represented by independent legal counsel
     of his or its choice concerning the negotiation and drafting of this
     Agreement. Each of the parties has had the legal significance of this
     Agreement explained to him or it by such independent legal counsel
     prior to executing this Agreement, and each party to this Agreement is
     freely, voluntarily and knowingly entering into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms, covenants and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the parties each contract, covenant
and agree as follows:

1.   Consideration by Purus:

     1.01 LUMP-SUM PAYMENT:  Upon the execution of this Agreement, Purus
          will pay to Russell K. Burbank, by check, the sum of $US
          250,000.00, plus any accrued salary or vacation pay to which he is
          entitled (such vacation pay not to exceed 120 hours) up to and
          including the date of the execution of this Agreement.

     1.02 INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS:  Upon the execution of this Agreement, Purus
          will deposit into an irrevocable escrow account of Burbank's
          choice the sum of $US 100,000.00, with instructions that such
          amount be paid to Burbank in four equal monthly installments, with
          the first installment to be paid on December 19, 1996, and the
          three remaining installments to be paid on January 19, 1997,
          February 19, 1997 and March 19, 1997. (Ref.: Appendix A "Escrow
          Instructions.")

     1.03 Postponement of Annual Meeting:  Immediately following the
          execution of this Agreement, Purus will reschedule its Annual
          Meeting to a date no later than February 1997.

     1.04 Purchase of 22,000 shares of Purus Common Stock from Burbank:  If,
          for any reason or no reason, within ten (10) days following the
          execution of this Agreement, Friedli cannot arrange and execute
          the purchase of 22,000 shares of Purus common stock from Burbank
          for exactly $88,000.00, based on the closing price of Purus common
          stock on November 13, 1996, the last day it traded in the week
          ending November 15, 1996, then within five (5) days thereafter,
          Purus will purchase such shares from Burbank for the same price
          (see paragraph 4.01, herein).

2.   Consideration by Burbank:

     2.01 Resignation as Officer and Director:  Upon the execution of this
          Agreement, Burbank will resign as President, Chief Executive
          Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors and as a director
          of Purus.

     2.02 Termination of Burbank Severance Agreements:  Upon the fourth and
          final installment payment by Purus of the Installment Payments
          described in Section 1.02 above, each of Burbank and Purus
          stipulate and agree that the Burbank Severance Agreements,
          included herein as "Appendix B" shall terminate.  However, if for
          any reason, Burbank does not irrevocably receive all of the moneys
          provided for in Section 1 herein, his rights under the agreements
          included in Appendix B shall not be released or extinguished.

     2.03 Agreement to be party to a Consulting Agreement:  As further
          consideration, Burbank agrees to accept retention as an
          independent contractor to Purus pursuant to the provisions of
          Section 5 of this Agreement entitled "Burbank Consulting
          Agreement."

3.   Consideration by the Committee:

     3.01 Termination of Proxy Fight:  Immediately following the execution
          of this Agreement, the Committee will stop soliciting proxies in
          connection with Purus' 1996 Annual Meeting and will cancel its
          notice of and stop soliciting proxies for a Special Meeting.

4.   Consideration by Peter Friedli:

     4.01 Purchase of 22,000 shares of Purus Common Stock from Burbank: 
          Within ten (10) days following the full execution of the
          Agreement, Peter Friedli will arrange and execute the purchase of
          22,000 shares of Purus common stock from Burbank for exactly
          $88,000.00, based on the closing price of Purus common stock on
          November 13, 1996, the last day it traded in the week ending
          November 15, 1996.  If, for any reason, or no reason, Friedli
          cannot arrange and execute the preceding purchase within the
          aforementioned ten (10) day period, then within five (5) days
          thereafter, Purus will purchase such shares from Burbank for the
          same price.

5.   Burbank Consulting Agreement:  Upon full execution of this Agreement,
     Purus and Burbank shall be a party to a consulting agreement as
     follows:

     5.01 Term; Cancellation or Extension:  This Consulting Agreement shall
          be dated effective on the date of the full execution of this
          Agreement and shall become contractually binding upon the full
          payment of the moneys due Burbank and the escrow account, as
          provided under Section 1 herein, and shall terminate on March 19,
          1997.  This Consulting Agreement may be canceled at any time
          during its term upon written notice to Burbank from Purus pursuant
          to the provisions of this Agreement concerning notices; however,
          termination of this Consulting Agreement shall have no effect on
          the considerations and obligations of the parties as described in
          Sections 1, 2 and 3 herein and Burbank shall be entitled to keep
          all moneys covered by Section 1 herein.  This Agreement can be
          extended at any time by the mutual consent of both Burbank and
          Purus.

     5.02 Compensation of Burbank:  For the term of this Consulting
          Agreement, Burbank shall work without compensation for sixty (60)
          hours per month.  For services beyond sixty (60) hours per month,
          Burbank shall be compensated at the rate of $150.00 per hour. 
          Burbank shall be reimbursed for out of pocket business expenses
          incurred by Burbank for the sole benefit of Purus.  Burbank shall
          invoice Purus monthly for compensation and business expenses
          during the term of this Consulting Agreement, and Purus shall
          promptly pay all such invoices.  Burbank shall provide
          documentation of the time he spends providing services and of the
          business expenses he incurs for the sole benefit of Purus. 
          Burbank shall not bill Purus for more than sixty (60) hours per
          month for services or incur business expenses of more than $500.00
          per month, without the prior approval of Purus.

     5.03 Consulting Agreement Services:  Burbank shall provide consulting
          services to Purus' Board of Directors (herein (the Board() related
          to Purus' operations.  These services shall include:  

          (i)  overseeing and directing, on behalf of the Board, the work
               activities of Purus' service employees and sub-contractors,

          (ii) representing Purus, on behalf of the Board, in warranty and
               service matters in connection with former customers of Purus
               whose PADRE(r) installations are currently covered under
               warranty agreements and in connection with former customers
               who are contesting Purus' notice that their warranties have
               expired, 

          (iii)assisting the Board with the preparation of public
               disclosure documents for Nasdaq and the SEC, 

          (iv) assisting Purus' lawyers in developing strategies, preparing
               documents, and providing declarations and depositions to
               defend against the pending Class Action lawsuit and toxic
               emissions lawsuit, and other lawsuits that may arise from
               Purus' obligations under purchase contracts with former
               customers,

          (v)  presenting to the Board for its review and approval such
               things as invoices, purchase requisitions, contracts, and
               settlement agreements, along with appropriate justification,
               that are connected with the preceding activities, and

          (vi) other activities and assistance that the Board may request
               and that Burbank may agree to provide, provided however, that
               such other activities are not related to matters connected
               with corporate governance, stockholder relations, or new
               business development.

     5.04 Consulting Agreement Conditions:  Burbank shall provide consulting
          services to Purus' Board subject to the following conditions:  

          a)   Burbank acknowledges that all information and communications
               between Purus and Burbank concerning the subject matter of
               the Consulting Agreement are confidential and are trade and
               business practice secrets unless specifically otherwise
               classified by Purus in writing.  Burbank agrees to keep all
               such information confidential and secret, and to maintain and
               require the maintenance of systems and procedures designed to
               preserve the secrecy and confidentiality of all
               communications and information provided by Purus to Burbank
               pursuant to this Consulting Agreement.  Burbank shall not
               disclose any portion of any information provided to Burbank
               by Purus pursuant to this Consulting Agreement without the
               prior written consent of Purus, except to his accountants,
               attorneys and business consultants.

          b)   All work, results, reports, recommendations, conclusions,
               data and work product of whatever nature created by Burbank
               for Purus pursuant to this Consulting Agreement is work for
               hire, the exclusive property of Purus, secret and
               confidential, and subject to the confidentiality and secrecy
               requirements of subpart (a) above.  Burbank shall hold all of
               the foregoing work and work product in trust for the
               exclusive benefit of Purus, and subject to the direction of
               Purus concerning its maintenance, dissemination, return and
               destruction.  Burbank shall request Purus to authorize the
               release of any and all such information Burbank believes is
               necessary for optimal performance of the Consulting
               Agreement.

          c)   Burbank shall not subcontract to others for or assign the
               performance of any of the services to be performed by Burbank
               pursuant to this Consulting Agreement without the prior
               written consent of Purus.

          d)   Subject to the provisions of this Consulting Agreement,
               Burbank shall have complete control over the manner in which
               he provides services hereunder, and Burbank shall maintain
               his autonomy as an independent contractor separate from Purus
               with his own business office, over which Burbank shall
               continue to exercise complete and autonomous control during
               his performance of this Consulting Agreement.  Burbank is
               retained by Purus as an independent contractor, and no
               employer-employee relationship, joint venture or any other
               business relationship other than involving an independent
               contractor relationship is created by this Consulting
               Agreement.

          e)   In the performance of all services to be performed by Burbank
               pursuant to this Consulting Agreement, Burbank shall comply
               with all applicable United States Laws and Regulations.

          f)   Burbank shall not hold himself out as or represent that he is
               an agent, employee or legal representative of Purus in any
               capacity or for any purpose whatsoever.  Burbank shall have
               no power or authority to incur or create any obligations or
               liability of any kind for or on behalf of Purus.

6.   Mutual Release:

     6.01 Upon the full payment of all moneys due Burbank under Section 1
          herein, Burbank and each of Purus, the Committee, and Friedli,
          individually and collectively agree that such payment by Purus
          shall be payment in full of all moneys due from Purus to Burbank
          and a full and complete and accord and satisfaction of all
          obligations of Purus and its officers, directors, stockholders,
          employees, agents, successors and assigns to Burbank,
          individually, or in any other capacity.

     6.02 Upon the full payment of all moneys due Burbank under Section 1
          herein, thereupon and not before, Burbank shall give a full and
          complete waiver of all claims, including, but not limited to,
          claims of wrongful discharge, breach of contract, breach of the
          covenant of good faith and fair dealing, violation of public
          policy, defamation, personal injury, emotional distress, claims
          under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the
          Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Fair Employment and
          Housing Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, California Labor Code
          Section 1197.5, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967,
          and any other state or federal laws and regulations relating to
          employment or employment discrimination.  Burbank further
          understands that by this Release, he agrees not to assist,
          encourage, institute, or cause to be instituted the filing of any
          administrative charge or proceeding against Purus relating to
          employment or employment discrimination, excluding any claims he
          might have for unemployment insurance benefits, state disability
          compensation, and/or workers' compensation benefits.

     6.03 Nothing herein shall, however, waive any right or indemnification
          of Burbank pursuant to the obligation to indemnify as set forth in
          Purus bylaws.

     6.04 Upon the full execution of this Agreement, Purus, the Committee,
          and Friedli, collectively and individually fully and forever
          release and discharge Burbank from any claims and damages and
          causes of action it may have against him and covenants not to sue
          or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted or in any way
          participate in legal or administrative proceedings against Burbank
          with respect to any matter arising out of or connected with
          Burbank's employment with Company or the termination of that
          employment, including any and all liabilities, claims, demands,
          contracts, debts, obligations and causes of action of every
          nature, kind and description, in law, equity, or otherwise,
          whether or not now known or ascertained, which heretofore do or
          may exist; provided, however, no claim is released on account of
          any act by Burbank which was a knowing and willful violation of
          law.

     6.05 The parties also agree, individually and collectively, that
          nothing contained in this Release shall constitute or be treated
          as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Burbank, Purus,
          Friedli, or the Committee.

7.   Waiver of Provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542:  Concerning
     the Section 5 Release of the Agreement, each of Burbank, Purus, Friedli
     and the Committee, hereby waive the provisions of California Civil Code
     Section 1542, which provides in pertinent part:

          "A general release does not extend to claims to which
          the creditor does not know or it suspects to exist in
          his favor at the time of executing the release, which
          if known by him must have materially affected his
          settlement with the debtor."

8.   Notices:  All notices and invoices shall be in writing, and shall be
     sent to the parties at the following addresses:

     To Burbank:

          Russell K. Burbank
          224 Corte Madera Avenue
          Mill Valley, CA  94941
          Tel: 415-381-9229
          Fax: 415-381-9779

     To Purus:

          Purus, Inc. 
          600 California Street, Suite 1300
          San Francisco, CA  94108
          Tel: (415) 788-1903
          Fax: (415) 788-2415

     To Friedli:

          Friedli Corporate Finance AG
          Freigutstrasse 5
          Zurich, Switzerland CH-8002
          Attn.:    Peter Friedli
          Tel: 011-41-1-201-4919
          Fax: 011-41-1-201-7819

     To The Committee:

          Friedli Corporate Finance AG
          Freigutstrasse 5
          Zurich, Switzerland CH-8002
          Attn.: Peter Friedli
          Tel: 011-41-1-201-4919
          Fax: 011-41-1-201-7819

Written notices sent via premium mail service, such as DHL, FedEx, Overseas
Express Mail, etc., shall be deemed received upon either confirmation of
delivery by the premium mail carrier, or upon the first notification by the
premium mail carrier of an attempt to deliver, whether successful or not. 
Notices sent via any other type of mail shall be deemed received only
following actual receipt by the recipient.  Notices transmitted via fax
shall be deemed received immediately upon the actual confirmed receipt of
the fax notice, if the notice is received in its entirety prior to 4:00 p.m.
on a business day in the place of receipt.  Notices which are not received
in their entirety prior to 4:00 p.m. on a business day in the place of
receipt shall be deemed received at 9:00 a.m. on the next succeeding
business day in the place of receipt.

9.   General Provisions:

     9.01 Binding Agreement:  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
          to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, subrogors,
          predecessors, assignors, successors and assigns of each of the
          parties.  The representations of the parties in this Agreement are
          their warranties, and are each incorporated into this Agreement in
          full.

     9.02 Entire Agreement:  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
          between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations,
          communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the
          subject matter of this Agreement.  This Agreement may only be
          modified by a writing executed by all of the parties this
          Agreement.

     9.03 Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue:  This Agreement shall be
          governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
          of California.  Jurisdiction and Venue shall be proper in any
          California Court of competent jurisdiction.  Service of process
          shall be in accordance with the California Code of Civil Procedure
          and California law concerning service of process.  To the extent
          any provisions of any treaty or agreement which the United States
          and Switzerland are signatories contradicts the provisions of the
          California Code of Civil Procedure, the California Code of Civil
          Procedure shall prevail.  If personal service can not be made upon
          any party to this Agreement, after the exercise of reasonable
          diligence, each party to this Agreement appoints the Secretary of
          State of the State of California as his, her, or its duly
          appointed agent for service of process.

     9.04 Validity of Agreement:  If any portion or any provision of this
          Agreement shall be prohibited by or be invalid under applicable
          law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of
          such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder
          of such provision or any remaining portion or provision of this
          Agreement, which shall remain valid and fully enforceable against
          the parties to this Agreement.

     9.05 Execution in Counterpart:  This Agreement may be executed in
          multiple counterparts.  Each iteration of this Agreement bearing,
          in the aggregate, the original signatures of all of the parties to
          this Agreement, whether or not all such signatures are contained
          on the same page, shall be deemed a duplicate original of this
          Agreement, and shall be enforceable as such.  Transmission of a
          facsimile of this Agreement shall be deemed the promise of the
          transmitting party to promptly provide the other party or parties
          with the original of this Agreement bearing the original of his,
          her, or its signature upon demand of any party.  The failure of
          any party to promptly deliver to a demanding party such original
          document bearing the original signature of the party to whom the
          demand is directed shall be conclusively deemed to be the
          stipulation and agreement of the party to whom the demand is
          directed that he, she or it executed this Agreement, and that the
          facsimile bearing the signature of the party to whom the demand is
          directed, or a true copy thereof, is an original signature of such
          party for all purposes, including enforcement of this Agreement in
          a court or other proceeding or action.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF: the parties hereto have each duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above as if this Agreement were
executed in the City and County of San Francisco, California.

Russell K. Burbank, Individually and In All Other Capacities:



--------------------------------                            
By:  Russell K. Burbank,


PURUS, INC.:



--------------------------------                            
By:  Reinhard Siegrist
     Director



--------------------------------                            
By:  Hans Ochsner
     Director


Peter Friedli, Individually and In All Other Capacities:




--------------------------------                            
By:  Peter Friedli


The Purus Stockholders Protective Committee:



--------------------------------
By:  Peter Friedli



--------------------------------
By:  Hans Ochsner