Version 7/6/2022

Support for construction and testing of this equipment was provided by Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose, CA).

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We constructed a rotary soil heating device using an electric cement mixer and portable job-site propane heater and demonstrated that it could heat soil volumes up to about 10 gal to temperatures between 55 and 60 C in less than 30 minutes. Heating efficiency was enhanced by insulating the barrel of the mixer. Injecting water in the form of a mist into the heat stream increased heating efficiency and prevented the soil from drying out excessively. Soil remained hot after being dumped into an insulated vessel, minimizing the amount of time that external heat needed to be applied.

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