Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorber is made by separating sludge from exhaust water discharged upon manufacturing fresh mixed concrete or concrete secondary products, then dewatering the separated sludge, and drying and crushing the dewatered sludge into dry fine particles.

Abstract: A mobile hazardous waste characterization system having a top driven rotary kelly bar and drill bit in conjunction with a non-rotatable casing surrounding the kelly bar in which the casing and waste contamination sensing probes affixed thereto are supported by the top drive and are moved into and out of the site with the kelly bar and drill bit. The sensors preferably are optical soil contamination probes affixed to the casing to qualitatively and quantitatively determine soil contaminants and monitor remediation progress in situ at a subsurface soil characterization and treatment location. Soil gas sampling and a solid soil core sample removal device may be integrated with the optical contaminant sensing for accurate site characterization and simultaneous remediation thereof.

Abstract: Inorganic settable slurries well suited for the sealing and/or consolidation of unstable soil/ground formations, or for the sealing/repair of defective building materials, include (a) an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate, (b) a water-soluble calcium compound, e.g., lime, (c) an alkali metal aluminate, and (d) an alkali metal hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A toxic waste fixant for detoxification of a contaminated material includes a mixture of ferric sulfate, manganese sulfate, organophilic clays, an oxidizer and aluminium sulfate. The respective amounts are preferably about 15-19% b.w. of ferric sulfate, about 15-19% b.w. of manganese sulfate, about 37-46% b.w. of organophilic clay, about 16-19% b.w. of an oxidizer and about 0-12,5% b.w. of alumimium sulfate. All or part of the ingredients in said fixant may be added as a pretreatment into contaminated materials such as soils, sediments, or sludges. This pretreatment can range from 0 to 100% b.w. to said material. The fixant is blended with various amounts of Portland cement, and/or blast furnace slag, or lime, or gypsum, or coal fly ash, or cement kiln dust as a means to derive a chemical fixation treatment for contaminated soils, sediments, and sludges to prevent the leaching of organic and inorganic compounds and elements.

Abstract: A method of solidifying oil base shale cuttings and used drilling mud on site by thoroughly mixing the shale cuttings and drilling mud with an activated lime mixture to form a uniform dispersion of the lime mixture throughout the composite. Water from the drilling mud or from water added as needed activates the admixed lime causing a reaction which generates substantial heat and steam. The generated heat will dry the mixture and neutralize its acidic components producing an environmentally safe end product which may be cultivated into a ground surface without the need for special storage pits or the like.

Abstract: A method of removing volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon base materials contained in soil is provided wherein an inorganic compound that is an oxide of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal or a sulfate of an alkaline earth metal, which undergoes an exothermic reaction with water, is mixed in powder or granular form with soil containing a water content of 10% to 30% by weight and volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon base material having a normal boiling point in the range of about 60.degree. to about 120.degree. C., the inorganic compound being mixed with the soil in an amount of 0.01 to 0.5 times the weight of the water content.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating soil contaminated by petroleum products on the site of the contamination. Such decontamination is accomplished by chemical breakdown, enzymatic action and biological microbial degradation. Significant byproducts of this degradation of the hydrocarbon material are: water, sodium salts, ammonium salts, carbon dioxide, free amino acids and heat.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing a contaminant comprising mixing the contaminant with a reaction partner that is capable of chemically interacting with the contaminant to form a water-insoluble reaction product, the reaction partner being mixed in the form of a hydrophobic solid preparation, which is either obtained by grinding the reaction partner with an inert material and treating it with a hydrophobing agent or which contains the educt or reaction product of a dispersion by chemical reaction preliminarily treated with a hydrophobing agent, the mixing being conducted to form a soil or soil-like material with cohesive constituents of a clay-like structure.

Abstract: A method for treating soil that has become contaminated with hydrocarbons or other organic material includes straining the contaminated material through a rotary air lock into a preheater and pneumatic conveying by primary air into an oxidation chamber. Secondary air is directed into the oxidation chamber through a plurality of perforations in the wall of the oxidation chamber to combine with and sustain the fluidized state of the soil-gas mixture. The primary and secondary air is preferably produced by passing the proceeds of an air blower through a pre-heating assembly to produce hot air. The oxidizer is arranged at an incline so that the gas solid mixture of hot air and contaminated soil flows upwardly. The temperature of the fluidized bed is controlled by the temperature of primary air so that lighter hydrocarbons spontaneously ignite in the oxidation chamber. The exothermic combustion causes the remaining organic material present in the contaminated soil to vaporize and burn.

Abstract: The method of sealing a polluted area containing pollutants to prevent transport of the pollutants from the polluted area includes forming a sealing barrier layer around the polluted area underneath and/or next to it by feeding a liquid sealing material into the liquid permeable ground and fissures under and/or next to the polluted area or into the polluted area by a plurality of injection lances and/or pressure probes from above ground or from the surface of the polluted area. The liquid sealing material is a Montan wax emulsion or a mixture of the emulsion with earth and/or pollutants, the Montan wax emulsion is made from 10 to 20 parts by weight Montan wax, 3 to 5 parts by weight emulsifier, 100 parts by weight of water and from 0 to 10 by weight of a stabilizer.

Abstract: Method of conditioning soils, in which copolymers which are composed of acrylamide and/or methacrylamide, a sulphonyl-containing, substituted acrylamide or methacrylamide, a multi-functional, water-soluble vinyl compound and, if appropriate, carboxyl-containing comonomers are added to the soils as soil conditioners.

Abstract: A method of treating dredging spoils for salt contamination having the steps of passing the dredging spoils to a containment area, mixing a solution of calcium and nitrate ions with the dredging spoils, reacting the solution with the dredging spoils so as to form sodium chloride, and draining the liquid component and the sodium chloride from the containment area. The containment area is formed for the receipt of the dredging spoils and piping is extended from a dredge to the containment area so that the dredging spoils can be passed to the containment area. The solution of calcium and nitrate ions is pumped into the flow of dredging spoils toward the containment area. The step of draining includes installing a drainage tile into the containment area below a top surface of the containment area and passing the liquid component and the sodium chloride through the drainage tile to a liquid containment area. The liquid containment area may be the body of water from which the dredging spoils were taken.

Abstract: The present invention provides fly ash cementing compositions and methods which are useful in any cementing application, and are particularly suitable for cementing in subterranean zones penetrated by well bores. The cementing compositions can include a portion of the drilling fluid used to drill a well bore as a component thereof. Also, drilling fluid can be disposed of by combining it with the fly ash cementing composition whereby it solidifies in a disposal location.

Abstract: A process for constructing a self-sealing layer for landfills and waste dumps that use a base layer, cap layer, or liner to seal the area from water percolation through cracks or holes. A layer of soil is provided having specified characteristics which will become flowable under the effects of water moving through the layer. The soil is moved into the crack or hole by the water and accumulates until the breach is sealed. Geotextiles, otherwise known as textile mats, may be used inside the layer to reinforce the layer and enhance the self sealing effect of the flowable soil layer. Water glass and an appropriate gelling agent may be used in an embedding zone on either side of the mat to enhance the adhesion between the mat and the material in the cap, base, or liner.

Abstract: A method is shown for stabilizing clay bearing soils in which a silica compound is incorporated into the soils in addition to the application of lime. The silica compound can be either an amorphous, silica fume, a crystalline silica, a silica gel, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, finely ground glass or combinations thereof. The silica compound promotes the formation of calcium silicate hydrates over the formation of calcium aluminate hydrates in the resulting pozzolanic reaction occurring in the clay bearing soils. The silica compound and lime can be incorporated into the soils in a single step.

Abstract: A method for the improvement of appearance and performance characteristics of turf surfaces includes the steps of applying from about 0.1 to about 0.5 percent by weight of discrete fiber materials (14) selected from the group consisting of man-made fiber forming substances to turf growing and turf containing areas (10) and then working the discrete fiber materials into the areas. Working may allow a first portion of the fiber materials to be carried beneath the surface (11) of the area so as to promote reinforcement and anchoring of the turf (12) at the root zone level and a second portion to be at least partially exposed above the surface of the area, so as to remain visible with the turf. A related method for the improvement of appearance and performance characteristics of turf surfaces is also provided for turf propagated in previously barren surfaces.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for waste disposal by hydraulic embedment in a subterranean formation. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of drilling into stable geologic formations thousands of feet below ground, fracturing those formations, pumping a mixture of hazardous waste in solid, liquid, or sludge form and a selected transport medium into the fractured formations, and preventing migration of the waste. Although a suitable transport medium can be selected based on a number of factors, transport media selected in accordance with one aspect of the present invention prevent migration of the waste by reacting chemically or to either heat or pressure or both to become highly viscous or solid.

Abstract: Liquid is pumped through a specially designed wand to create a hole in the ground. The wand is pushed downward into the hole to a selected depth. The wand is then pivoted about a vertical axis through 90.degree. during a period of five seconds. The wand is then pushed downward an additional one foot during a ten second period. The steps of the method are repeated until the wand has reached a selected maximum depth. The wand has a body with a vertical nozzle exiting through the bottom, and four horizontal nozzles exiting through side surfaces. Intermediate surfaces are interspersed between the side surfaces, giving the body of the wand a hexagonal cross section.

Abstract: A stirring apparatus for solidifying earthen foundations. The apparatus comprises a tubular earth auger stirring rod driven by an earth auger drive shaft. A mixture of earth and hardening agents is shaped into a rectangular cross-sectional mass by an open-ended, four-sided rectangular casing. A plurality of resulting substantially hexahedral-shaped hardened masses comprise the foundation for a building structure.

Abstract: A method for the remediation of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons utilizing a selective liquid additive. The method includes the steps of collecting the contaminated soil; reducing the collected soil to finely-divided particles: applying a controlled amount of the selective liquid additive as a spray onto the contaminated soil particles; and aerating the soil particles as the additive is being applied. After treatment, the decontaminated soil is rendered environmentally safe.

Abstract: An invention for removing arsenic from contaminated soil is described. The process of this invention involves contacting contaminated soil with a carbonated solution either formed by bubbling carbon dioxide through water or dissolving in alkali metal carbonate in water for contact of the contaminated soil. The supernatent solution resulting can then be treated to remove the arsenic, preferably with reverse osmosis, for further use of the water and the decontaminated soil returned to the environment.

Abstract: A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants. A plurality of mutually spaced wells are provided intersecting the groundwater region, and the existence of acceptable continuity and well interflow paths for the said region is determined by generating a test flow of a solution of hydrogen peroxide from one of the wells and monitoring pH changes at each other of the wells as a function of time to detect a pH drop of at least 0.2. Subsequent to detecting the pH drop, a treating flow of the hydrogen peroxide solution is provided from one or more of the wells. A system to enable the foregoing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and compositions using a first ferrous iron containing solution with the iron concentration in excess of theoretical requirements to treat a contaminated site to reduce hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium and coprecipitate trivalent chromium with other heavy metals and using a second solution of silicate containing a destabilizing salt to form a relatively impermeable gel in the contaminated site thereby fixing metals and organics to the extent that there should be no detectable ground water contamination.

Abstract: Drilled cuttings are disposed of by solidification by drilling with a drilling fluid containing blast furnace slag, thereby producing drilled cuttings and other solid wastes, concentrating the wastes and then solidifying the concentrated wastes. Drilling wastes solidified by blast furnace slag are hard and unleachable and the blast furnace slag is compatible with both oil and water based drilling muds and drilled cuttings. Drilling fluids therefore do not have to be removed from the drilled cuttings prior to solidification in a mud pit.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a medium in situ includes counter-rotating shafts and intermeshed blades arranged on the shafts in a helical array to define mixing zones along the length of the shafts. Reagent supply conduits are disposed in a housing surrounding the upper ends of the shafts for introducing reagents into the mixing zones. The housing is attached to a mobile excavator which moves the shafts horizontally and vertically. The shafts are lowered into the medium by the excavator and are counter-rotated to cause the blades to pump the medium and the reagents along the shafts. Once at the desired operating depth, the shafts are moved below the surface of the medium in the horizontal direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the axes of the shafts to define a volume in the medium.

Abstract: A method for strengthening the soil and rock formations forming the structural base of a structure wherein a cement slurry is injected into the soil and rock formations. The method is particularly useful in strengthening the foundations of offshore structures.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for decontaminating contaminated soils and similar materials, the method includes (a) drying and comminuting contaminated soil and similar material in a mill through which a flow of hot gases is passed to provide a mixture of solids and gases; (b) introducing the mixture into a cyclone separator where the mixture is separated into gaseous and solid components; (c) thermally treating the solid components in a decontamination zone at a temperature effective to decontaminate at least a portion of the solid components; (d) passing the solid components after thermally treating same in step (c) into a dwell zone configured as a flow-through region; (e) thermally treating the solid components within the dwell zone at a temperature effective to decontaminate at least a portion of the solid components; (f) cooling the solid components after step (e) by transferring same into a cooling region of a cooling line; (g) thermally afterburning gaseous components from at least one of steps (b) and (c

Abstract: A method and system for in-situ remediation of contaminated groundwater and soil where the contaminants, such as toxic metals, are carried in a subsurface plume. The method comprises selection and injection into the soil of a fluid that will cause the contaminants to form stable, non-toxic compounds either directly by combining with the contaminants or indirectly by creating conditions in the soil or changing the conditions of the soil so that the formation of stable, non-toxic compounds between the contaminants and existing substances in the soil are more favorable. In the case of non-toxic metal contaminants, sulfides or sulfates are injected so that metal sulfides or sulfates are formed. Alternatively, an inert gas may be injected to stimulate microorganisms in the soil to produce sulfides which, in turn, react with the metal contaminants. Preferably, two wells are used, one to inject the fluid and one to extract the unused portion of the fluid.

Abstract: A process for killing soil pathogens to improve agricultural production includes the steps of treating a field with a soil conditioning agent to reduce the clods in the soil to microaggregates. Hot water is applied to the treated soil at varying depths to kill soil borne organisms. Beneficial organisms are then applied to the sterilized soil to repopulate the soil with these beneficial organisms.

Abstract: A process for treating wastes contaminated by toxic metals and/or organic materials is disclosed. The process involves heating the metal-contaminated wastes to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the metals. This temperature is also high enough to destroy or volatilize organic contaminants. The metal vapors are contacted with a sorbent which is reactive with the metals and sequesters them, thereby forming a non-leachable complex which can be disposed as non-hazardous conventional waste.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved mobile apparatus for removing contaminants from a site containing granular material with the contaminants being affixed thereto. The mobile apparatus comprises a processor which extracts the granular material containing the contaminants from the site. The processor containing a liquid agent separates the contaminants from the granular material and creates a slurry comprising the granular material, the liquid agent and the contaminants. A conduit conducts the slurry from the processor to a mobile reservoir. A separator extending angularly relative to the mobile reservoir conveys the granular material, the liquid agent and the contaminants away from the mobile reservoir and separates the granular material from the liquid agent containing the contaminants.

Abstract: A method for treating the soil in a performance arena. An effective amount of a treatment composition is applied to the soil in a performance area in the performance arena. The treatment composition is a water absorbing substance having a slow water releasing capability whereby the treatment composition absorbs water and slowly releases the absorb water for substantially reducing dust resulting in performance activities. The treatment composition in a preferred form is a gel-forming, water absorbing polymer or, more particularly, a crosslinked polyacrylamide polymer. The method particularly is directed to treating the performance area in an animal arena such as an indoor or outdoor facility where horse shows or rodeos or the like occur.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing a contaminant comprising mixing the contaminant with a reaction partner that is capable of chemically interacting with the contaminant to form a water-insoluble reaction product, the reaction partner being mixed in the form of a hydrophobic solid preparation, which is either obtained by grinding the reaction partner with an inert material and treating it with a hydrophobing agent or which contains the educt or reaction product of a dispersion by chemical reaction preliminarily treated with a hydrophobing agent, the mixing being conducted to form a soil or soil-like material with cohesive constituents of a clay-like structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ex situ remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, comprising the excavation of the soil from its in situ position and forming a covered pile of loosened soil, at the base of which an array of a plurality of hot air inlet conduits are located. At least one array of a plurality of gas take-off conduits are situated at one or more higher level(s) in the pile. Heated air is injected into the inlet conduits at the base of the pile and allowed to percolate up through the soil to remove the hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds as hydrocarbon vapor entrained process gas. This process gas is drawn off by applying a negative pressure to the take-off conduits. The drawn-off process gases are then passed through a gas burner which thermally oxidizes the hydrocarbons and organic compounds. The heat generated from the gas burner is exchanged with ambient inlet air to provide the hot air used to inject into the base soil pile.

Abstract: A method is shown for stabilizing sulfate bearing soils in which a silica compound is incorporated into the soils with the soils being further stabilized by the application of lime. The silica compound can be either an amorphous, flume silica, a crystalline silica, a silica gel, sodium silicate, potassium silicate or combination thereof. The silica compound and lime can be incorporated into the soils in a single step.

Abstract: A method of mixing materials includes a fluid medium, such as an aqueous fluid or a gas, continuously introduced into a mixing column for a time sufficient to allow the fluid to at least substantially fill the column. A predetermined amount of at least one primary material is introduced into the upper end of the mixing column. The primary material is permitted to descend through the fluid medium at a predetermined rate. Secondary materials are introduced into the mixing column through at least one end or through at least one position along the side of the mixing column at an angle and velocity sufficient to cause the secondary materials to intimately contact the primary material along its path of descent through the fluid medium so that the primary and secondary materials are continuously mingled as they descend through the fluid medium until they reach the lower end of the mixing column.

Abstract: Petroleum production, refining, and mining disposable deposits and sediments are treated with an oxidizing agent such as chlorine dioxide and/or particle separation to reduce the mass of disposable materials. The invention has particular application in treating deposits and sediments which contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).

Abstract: A process for sealing soil formations, especially for sealing the base of a waste dump or encapsulating waste dumps or old sources of pollution. By this process, sewage sludge or river mud is mixed with water absorbent aggregate that is approximately 30-70 wt %, based on sludge or mud dry weight, forming a compressible non-hardening mixture. The resultant mixture is then applied to the soil formation and compressed mechanically, forming a non-hardening seal.

Abstract: A method of treating solid waste in soil or solid disposed waste containing unacceptable levels of leachable metals, such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, copper and chromium, includes mixing the solid waste or soil in place with a phosphate source or a carbonate source or ferrous sulfate. After the solid waste and the additive are mixed, if needed an additional pH controlling agent is mixed into the soil or waste and additive. After the solid waste and additive and pH controlling agent are mixed under conditions which support reaction between the additive, pH controlling agent and metals, the metals will be converted to non-leachable forms which are relatively stable under normal environmental conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process making it possible to consolidate a geological formation without significantly reducing its permeabiity. A liquid mixture (5) is injected into the formation (1) traversed by a well (2) and then at least one gas is injected through the formation under appropriate conditions. More specifically, the liquid mixture contains a polymerizable substance, preferably a melamine-formaldehyde resin, and at least one catalyst having a Lewis acid character and it substantially polymerizes at the temperature and pressure of the formation, while bonding the unconsolidated elements. Application to the consolidation of a geological formation containing sand.

Abstract: A composite fill material (22) comprising soil (18) and spent lime (14) and a method for filling depressed land areas (24) therewith. The method for filling land areas (24) includes generating spent lime (14) by adding lime to water (12) in order to precipitate out minerals causing water hardness. The generated spent lime (14) is mixed with soil (18) to form a composite fill material (22) which is subsequently utilized to fill depressed land areas (24) thus creating a solid soil base.

Abstract: An all-round improved ground body forming device comprising a hollow outer casing with an outer metal bit at its tip end and a casing connecting section at its rear end, a casing advancer with an inner bit and a sub-bit for supporting the inner bit at its tip end and an arrowhead-shaped section to be engaged at its rear end, a casing advancer receiving and recovery device which has at its tip end an engaging section to catch the said arrowhead-shaped section and has a contracting and retracting section at an intermediate position between the main body section and the said engaging section, a hardening agent injection rod consisting of one or more air injection pipes, a hardening agent injection pipe, a high pressure water injection pipe, and a slime discharge pipe, a multiple pipe swivel joint which is provided to correspond with the said hardening agent injection rod, and a method to form an improved ground body by the said device.

Abstract: A two-step treatment process is disclosed for application of lead-toxic wastes to fixate and stabilize leachable lead contained therein. The process employs the use of a sulfate compound, such as gypsum, in a first step; and a phosphate reagent, such as phosphoric acid, in a second step. After thorough mixing and curing, a substantially solid end product is formed in which the lead is chemically fixed and remains in stabilized form for indefinite geologic periods. The process reduces Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure lead levels below the regulatory threshold of 5 mg/l as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The waste also beneficially undergoes volume reduction in a short curing time, and is applicable in a variety of situations.

Abstract: Aluminum leafing flakes for expanding grout are adhered to microparticles to distribute the flakes in dry and wet grouts. The flakes have a protective coating sensitive to the alkalinity of dry and wet grouts alkaline. The coated flake carrying microparticles may be blended and stored with dry grouts or used directly with wet grouts as part of a fluidifier for the grout.

Abstract: The method essentially creates a lake, if one does not already exist, and uses this lake as a "moving" treating pond for soils contaminated with toxic radicals or compounds containing higher valence state metals. Reducing agent compositions such as saccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, FeS.sub.4, Na.sub.2 SO3, NaSO.sub.2, Na.sub.2 S, and Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.5 are introduced into the lake. Contaminated soil from one side of the lake is dragged into the lake, the water of which contains the reducing agent compositions, then is tilled at the bottom of the lake to fully expose the soil to the reducing agent composition, and then is raked upwardly along an opposite side of the lake to form a shoreline of cleaned soil material. Contaminant-consuming micro-organisms and plant life may also be introduced into the lake. The earthmoving process is repeated until lake has passed through and treated all of the contaminated soil site.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning layers of earth that contain noxious material via a cleaning medium that takes up the noxious material and is introduced into the layers of earth via a drilling tube. The cleaning medium is extracted by suction from the layers of earth and is subsequently processed. To achieve a precise cleaning on the spot in a continuous manner without the necessity for excavating the earth, the apparatus comprises a chamber that surrounds the drilling tube. The chamber can be lowered into the ground either together with or separately from the drilling tube. After termination of the cleaning process, at least parts of chambers used therefor are removed from the ground and shifted to a region that has not yet been cleaned, resulting in an advancement of the cleaning process in a horizontal direction. A sludge mixture can also be pumped from the chamber into a cleaning unit, with the clean, recovered earth again being introduced into the chamber.

Abstract: In a double-tube type boring and kneading machine comprising a double tubular shaft assembly composed of both an outer tubular shaft and an inner shaft separately rotatable to each other, said outer tubular shaft is adapted to be rotated at a high speed and provided at its external surface with a stirring and kneading means, and said inner shaft is adapted to be rotated with a large torque and provided with a boring bit at its leading end, a lower stirring and kneading means and a liquid discharge port. A method for improving a foundation ground by employing a double-tube type boring and kneading machine is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of treating lead contaminated soil to reduce the amount of mobile lead contained in the soil, the method which comprises: (a) providing an agent selected from the group consisting of inorganic phosphate compounds, inorganic phosphite compounds and mixtures thereof; and (b) contacting the agent with the soil to react the agent with the lead and form immobilized, acid-insoluble lead compounds, thereby reducing the amount of mobile lead in the soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the ground of a large area. The method comprises the steps of inserting a pipe into a hole previously dug in the ground, injecting a high pressure liquid and a ground improving injection liquid from an injecting apparatus attached to the tip of the pipe, drawing up the pipe, grouting the ground, and injecting the ground improving injection liquid to thereby form an underground columnar consolidation body for improving the ground. The drawing-up operation of the pipe is executed while applying vertical vibration to the pipe. Thus, a consolidation body of a large area for improvement of the ground is obtained without concave and convex portions.

Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls are chemically degraded by contact with a Lewis acid catalyst in a nonaqueous liquid medium, in the presence of a cation which combines the chlorines on the PCBs to form a solid chloride of the cation which will precipitate out from the liquid medium. Preferred Lewis acids are metal halides, particularly a combination of aluminum chloride and ferric chloride, and the preferred cation is potassium in the form of potassium hydroxide. The process is susceptible to both batch and continuous operation. The process for chemically degrading PCBs with a Lewis acid catalyst can be applied to PCB-containing soils, sediments and sludges by contacting those materials, under anhydrous conditions, with Lewis acids and preferably with Lewis acids and a metal cation capable of reacting with the hydrohalogen released from the PCBs by the Lewis acids. The Lewis acids may be supplied to the process by the adventitious corrosion of a vessel containing the PCB-contaminated soil.