Glossary and abbreviations

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Thermal desorption: Method for the decontamination of polluted soil that involves heating it to between 400 and 600°C to volatilize the pollutants; the gases emitted are then treated in bag filters to remove dust and particles. Thermal desorption almost entirely decontaminates the soil: it is suitable for heavy hydrocarbons (heavy fuel oil, tars, PAHs) and light hydrocarbons (solvents: benzene, toluene and xylene). The treated soil can be easily used as backfill. The process does not generate any odors or waste.
Treatment: Physical, thermal, chemical or biological processes, including sorting, that change the characteristics of the waste in order to reduce its volume or hazardous nature, facilitate its handling or enhance recovery (Council Directive 1999/31/EC of April 26, 1999):
- Biological treatment: Controlled process for the transformation by microorganisms, of fermentable waste into a slowly changing organic residue. For soil remediation, biological processes are also used, but they do not concern the area of waste.
- Thermal treatment: Waste treatment using the effect of heat, including in particular incineration.
- Physical-chemical treatment: this category of treatment includes among others, breaking down emulsions, neutralization, chrome removal, cyanide removal, dewatering, resin regeneration, chlorine removal, etc.
Trigeneration or trigen: System that uses the same natural gas-fired motor to generate electricity, and cooling and heat using the motor’s exhaust gas.