Soil remediation for Olympics construction works

A French company was contracted to carry out soil remediation of a two-hectare site in central Paris where a swimming pool is being built for the 2024 Olympics. 

The land was formerly used for industry. Hydrocarbons were the main contaminants, though some aromatics, chlorinated compounds and BTEX were also present. 

The remediation process involved erecting large ventilated tents over the entire site and excavating the soil. As the remediation project is close to a residential area, the tents are in place to make sure that pollution does not volatilise during the soil manipulation. By ventilating and refreshing the air in the tent, the situation also remains safe for people working inside. As the soil had to be excavated to a depth of more than 10 metres, the water table was reached as well. The soil itself was transported away for treatment, but groundwater was treated in-situ. Both the ventilated air from the tent and the groundwater were purified through activated carbon filtration.  

As is generally the case with such large and complex construction projects, the client included our filtration solutions in its plans, but could not commit to an exact schedule.

Therefore, we had to be ready to deliver a large-scale solution at short notice.

The client was pleased with the speed at which we supplied the filters, and their effectiveness.  

The filters were closely monitored to ensure that emissions complied with limits. They remained in place for almost a year from November 2020, with only one AIRCON H (and no MOBICON) filter requiring exchange. 

DESOTEC provides activated carbon filters for a range of soil remediation projects. These include: in-situ remediation projects making use of technologies such as soil vapour extraction or pump and treat; projects where strictly controlled compounds such as benzene are present; and treatment centres where soil is taken after excavation.  

Our filters are ideally suited to remediation work for several reasons.  

They are mobile, making them easy to install and remove at different stages of the construction process. For large-scale projects, where activated carbon filters are just one part of a very complex puzzle, this is a huge bonus.  

They are supplied on a rental basis, so companies do not need to invest in technology that will be required for a maximum of a year or two.  

DESOTEC handles all waste carbon, transporting it away in closed units. Our facility has high acceptance limits, making it possible to treat and reactivate carbon that has adsorbed some chlorinated compounds, as was the case here. This boosts sustainability, and drives down costs for clients.