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Stabilization, Solidification, & Chemical Fixation
Case Studies
Factors affecting selection, design, and performance of remediation methods include the following:
- Treatment objective(s)
- Waste characteristics
- Type of process(es)
- Waste management plan
- Regulatory compliance
- Economics
Stabilization/solidification technologies produce physical changes
These technologies employ additives to reduce pollutant mobility, improve waste handling characteristics, and/or detoxify hazardous constituents in soil and sludge. They offer economical, in-situ or ex-situ methods for treating heavy metals, solid organics, PCBs, and a number of other specific wastes. Fixation, a related technology, achieves destruction of contaminants or reorders the molecular structure of chemical bonds to create new, non-hazardous compounds.
To achieve your remediation goal, a number of geotechnical considerations must be evaluated. The stiffness and shear strength of the soil, both in the normal or saturated condition, are important factors, as well as disposal or accommodation of the waste bulking material, dust control, working platform, and utilities. A treatability test can determine reagents required, percent bulking to be expected, and leachability of the mass after treatment. Reagents used include the following:
- cements
- flyash
- kiln dust
- lime
- silicates
- specialty clays
- and various additives
Stabilization
Stabilization techniques limit the solubility or mobility of contaminants, even though the physical characteristics of the waste may not be changed or improved. To accomplish this, we add reagents or other specialized materials and blend them with the sludge or soil. Stabilization ensures that the hazardous components are maintained in their least mobile or toxic form.
Solidification
Solidification methods result in a solid, low-permeable block of contaminated soil. To accomplish this, we incorporate specialized, solidifying admixtures which mechanically lock contaminants within the solidified matrix. This may or may not involve chemical bonding between the toxic contaminant and the additive. By decreasing the exposed surface area and/or encapsulating the waste, contaminant migration can be significantly decreased.
Chemical Fixation
The term chemical fixation implies transformation of toxic contaminants to new, nontoxic forms. As with stabilization/solidification, chemical fixation typically requires mechanical mixing or blending of reagents with the contaminated mass. These specially designed or proprietary reagents, incorporated during the mixing process, effect destruction, alteration, or chemical bonding of the contaminant(s). Although the treated mass is less or non-toxic, chemical fixation may be more costly than stabilization/ solidification, depending upon the type of reagents required. It is the treatment of choice for the reduction of compounds such as hexavalent chromium, lead, and chlorinated organics. MARCOR's state-of-the-art chemical fixation technology offers the most cost-effective, long-term solution on the market.
For additional information, call MARCOR's corporate headquarters at 1-800-547-0128 or send email to info@marcor.com.
