Thermal design
Site characterization defines electrode spacing, energy balance, vapor capture, target temperatures, and monitoring.
ERH guide
Electrical Resistance Heating for technical decision-makers
ERH uses the electrical resistance of soil and groundwater to generate heat inside the treatment zone.
How ERH works
Current flows through the subsurface and heat is generated in place
Electrodes installed in the target zone conduct current. Natural subsurface resistance converts it to heat and raises soil and groundwater temperature.
As temperature rises, contaminants become easier to volatilize, mobilize, and extract. The heating system works with vapor recovery, off-gas treatment, and field monitoring.
Controlled ERH heating
Current between electrodes heats soil and groundwater, increasing contaminant volatility and recovery.
Vapor and water management
Vapors and fluids are extracted, treated, and monitored with electrical, structural, and air controls.
Performance closure
Temperature, energy, mass removal, and environmental data guide optimization until cleanup goals are met.
Design questions
Performance depends on real site conditions
Soil type, moisture, groundwater flow, depth, structures, utilities, and energy balance control heating uniformity.
Electrode depth and spacing are not universal constants. They must reflect thermal properties, hydrogeology, heat loss, drilling risk, and temperature evidence.