Contaminated soils or sediments from rivers or lagoons are normally removed by dredging or excavation.
- Dredging removes contaminated sediment from a water body without draining or diverting the water. Dredging also removes a certain amount of water with the sediment. The sediments are usually dewatered on land, and the water is usually treated before discharge back to the water body or public treatment works. The contaminated sediment is then disposed of in a landfill or a confined disposal facility. Highly contaminated sediment may be treated before disposal.
- Excavation is similar to dredging except that the sediments are partially dewatered by either diverting the surface water from the natural channel or by constructing a dam around them. The contaminated sediments are then removed using conventional construction equipment. This technique produces less water for treatment.
The addition of a sorbent is usually required for shipment to meet EPA requirements for no free liquids at the landfill. EPA Method 9095 (commonly called “The Paint Filter Test”) is employed to make this determination.
The use of Waste Lock® super absorbent polymer offers distinct advantages over older, conventional sorbents such as clay, sawdust, wood pellets or kiln dust:
- The Waste Lock® polymer can absorb as much as 500 times its weight in water. Typically, in soil applications, the Waste Lock® is applied at ½ to 2% by weight.
- Use of the product eliminates the waste volume expansion associated with conventional sorbents.
- Little volumes expansion reduces project costs! Fewer trucking loads are required. Fewer yards charged for disposal by the landfill.
- Waste Lock® works FAST. With a small amount of mixing, the polymer absorbs all liquid in under 5 minutes as compared to 20 – 60 minutes for a conventional sorbent.
Some typical dredging or excavation waste streams include:
- Industrial waste water solids/sludge
- Animal farm waste lagoons
- Dredged contaminated sediments from rivers & lakes
- Coal ash power plant waste
- Municipal water treatment plant sludge
- Mine tailings
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