In this study, superheated water extraction (SWE) was used for remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) incl. naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene from contaminated soil. The effect of two parameters including the water temperature and extraction time on remediation efficiency was investigated. Water temperature was varied from 100 to 180 degrees C and extraction time ranging from 5 to 20 min. A two-phase mathematical model was developed to evaluate the behavior of superheated water extraction process and to simulate the remediation of PAHs from contaminated soils. The results showed that the remediation efficiency depends strongly on water temperature. Also, the capability of superheated water as a green solvent for remediation of PAHs from soil was proven. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.