Thermal Soil Treatment Demo Succeeds

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

CAREER/PRO participates in the "BADCAT" Environmental Technology
Partnership. This press release describes the recent successful
demonstration of a thermal soil treatment technology at Mare Island Navy
Shipyard, sponsored by the partnership.

For Immediate Release

RESULTS OF SOIL CLEANUP AT MARE ISLAND TERMED 'REMARKABLE', EXCEED
EXPECTATIONS

 VALLEJO, CA (March 2, 1998) - A demonstration of an innovative new soil
cleanup technology at the Mare Island Naval shipyard has yielded
dramatic results. The break-through process could lead the way to
quicker and more economical cleanup of Bay Area military bases.

After applying its electrical heating technology, called "In-Situ
Thermal Desorption" (ISTD), to soils adjacent to a former electrical
shop, Houston-based TerraTherm Environmental Services said the
demonstration proceeded well ahead of schedule and produced cleanup
results far below targeted levels.

"Without question, the results of the demonstration exceeded everyone's
expectations", Mike Attaway, TerraTherm vice president stated. "We have
conducted several projects nationwide in the past year to prove that
this exciting new technology is truly in the forefront in eliminating
significant contamination problems without risk to surrounding
communities - and without the need to excavate and move soil away from
the area."

"In a location such as the San Francisco Bay Area, where 12
decommissioned military bases are currently being converted to civilian
use, a cost-effective and safe technology like ours is an important
consideration for local governments and taxpayers alike", Attaway
continued.

Analysis of samples collected prior to the demonstration, which began in
late September, indicated maximum concentrations of 2,300 parts per
million (ppm), while post-treatment samples exhibited non-detectable PCB
concentrations (less than 0.033 ppm). PCBs are suspected carcinogens
that persist in the soil for long periods.

The demonstration was conducted in a joint collaboration between the
U.S. Navy, the Bay Area Defense Conversion Action Team (BADCAT),
TerraTherm (a subsidiary of Shell Technology Ventures, Inc.), and RT
Environmental Services, who acted as general contractor. Agencies
participating included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
California EPA and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

A draft Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) permit was issued by U.S.
EPA. Cal/EPA worked closely with TerraTherm to streamline the
permitting process and expedite approvals with the California Department
of Toxic Substances Control and the Bay Area Air Quality Management
District, while still providing strong regulatory oversight. TerraTherm
is interested in pursuing certification of its new technology through
Cal/EPA's internationally-recognized technology certification program.

The innovative process involves placement of Thermal Blankets (over
areas of surface contamination to a depth of approximately 18") or
Thermal Wells (which can be drilled in areas of deep contamination).
Both use electricity to heat the soil to boiling temperatures of the
contaminants, then further process the vapors through a flameless
thermal oxidizer and activated charcoal filter. Final release to the
atmosphere is virtually only water and carbon dioxide.

There is minimal impact to the surrounding neighborhood since the
process is confined to the site, without the need to move contaminated
soils away. There is no dust and little noise, resulting in an
environmentally friendly solution for treating volatile and
semi-volatile organic contaminants including PCBs, chlorinated solvents,
pesticides, and petroleum wastes.

The entire treatment process took only 37 days for the Thermal Wells and
an additional seven days for the Thermal Blanket demonstration.

At its inception, the project goal was to obtain post-treatment
concentrations of less than 2 ppm of PCBs. The non-detectable final
concentrations significantly exceeded this initial goal.

The demonstration was funded entirely by TerraTherm, so there was no
cost to the Navy or the City of Vallejo. The purpose of the project was
to demonstrate state-of-the-art technologies that could more effectively
clean up local military bases and help speed their conversion to
civilian use.

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CONTACT: Rich G. Hansen, TerraTherm (281) 544-2020
or http://www.terratherm.com

Lenny Siegel
Director, SFSU CAREER/PRO (and Pacific Studies Center)
c/o PSC, 222B View St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/968-1126
lsiegel@cpeo.org