Abstract: A composition and process for the safe removal and treatment of hazardous waste material is described. This composition is a mixture of grout like cement containing the hazardous waste and a minor amount of an alkali metal silicate and a gelling agent. The hazardous waste is then safely contained within the resulting cementitious material and can be safely disposed by burial, for example. The contaminated wastes are contained within the block and will not be exposed by regular soil actions. This composition and process is particularly useful for treating soil contaminated by low level radioactive materials.

Abstract: Solid waste such as sewage sludge containing fecal matter is processed to reduce pathogens by at least 90% and converted to a useful product such as an amendment to agricultural land by combining the waste with an acid such as concentrated sulfuric and a base such as fly ash which exothermically react and thermally pasteurize the waste and add mineral value to the product. Pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash agglomerate the product and after grinding, the particles can aerate soil. The calcium oxide in fly ash reacts with sulfuric acid to form calcium sulfate dihydrate, a soil amendment. The amount of sulfuric acid can be controlled to provide a product with acid pH which is useful to neutralize alkaline soils such as those found in the Western United States of America.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for transforming contaminated material such as liquid wastewaters, into a solid and chemically stable composition which can be utilized as construction material, or which is safe for land disposal. The contaminated material is blended with solidification agents such as cement or lime until substantial amalgamation of the agent and material is completed. The contaminated material is contained within microencapsulation matrices which physically isolate the contaminated material from the environment. The apparatus is transportable and can be brought to the contamination site to transform the contaminated material into the solid and chemically stable composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cementitious encapsulation of waste materials and/or contaminated soils containing heavy metals, to render them immobile, and particularly to the immobilization of metals, in regulated amounts, in such wastes. A waste product comprising the metals is provided. A mixture is prepared comprising the wastes and/or contaminated soils containing heavy metals, water, and a cementitious composition. The cementitious composition comprises magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride in proportions effective to produce, with said water, a magnesium oxychloride cement. The cementitious composition is present in an amount which, on setting, is effective to immobilize the metals in the waste and/or contaminated soils. The present invention is useful for the remedial treatment of landfill sites. Alternatively, introduction of a retarding agent into the cementitious composition will permit the transportation of the mixture to another site for use and deposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition which is useful for forming construction blocks and encapsulating hazardous materials, a process for producing blocks and encapsulating the material, and blocks made of the material. This composition is a mixture of klin dust or volcanic fly ash and aggregate. The process comprises the steps of (a) blending a dry mixture comprising the kiln dust or volcanic fly ash mixture with water; (b) transferring the blended mixture into a compression zone and (c) compressing the blended mixture in the compression zone to form a brick of the desired size.

Abstract: Solid waste such as sewage sludge containing fecal matter is processed to reduce pathogens by at least 90% and converted to a useful product such as an amendment to agricultural land by combining the waste with an acid such as concentrated sulfuric and a base such as fly ash which exothermically react and thermally pasteurize the waste and add mineral value to the product. Pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash agglomerate the product and after grinding, the particles can aerate soil. The calcium oxide in fly ash reacts with sulfuric acid to form calcium sulfate dihydrate, a soil amendment. The amount of sulfuric acid can be controlled to provide a product with acid pH which is useful to neutralize alkaline soils such as those found in the Western United States of America.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the treatment of incineration residues of urban or industrial wastes comprising the following steps;a first step of chemical analysis of the incineration residues of urban or industrial wastes in order to determine:their water-soluble sulfate content,the overall retarding or accelerating action of the water-soluble ions which are liable to hinder the setting or hardening of a Portland cement,a second step in which the urban or industrial waste incineration residues are mixed or crushed, with a hydraulic binder and additives, followed by granulation with water of the mixture obtained with the granules then left to harden, the nature and proportion of said hydraulic binder and said additives having been selected in order to allow both the physical and/or chemical neutralization of the harmful elements for setting or hardening of a Portland cement present in the wastes, as well as the production of granules with low porosity and low permeability.

Abstract: A concrete mortar is formed by mixing together sand, cement, water and a sewage sludge ash. A foam is added to the mortar to form a foamed concrete composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition which is useful for forming construction blocks and encapsulating hazardous materials, a process for producing blocks and encapsulating the material, and blocks made of the material. This composition is a mixture of pozzoulanic fly ash and bottom ash. The weight ratio of fly ash:bottom ash is preferably in the range 80:20% by weight to 20:80% by weight. The process comprises the steps of (a) blending a dry mixture comprising the ash mixture with water; (b) transferring the blended mixture into a compression zone and (c) compressing the blended mixture in the compression zone to form a brick of the desired size.

Abstract: A composition for the fixation of hydrocarbons from contaminated oily soil and hazardous wastes. The hazardous waste and contamined oily soil are components in a cold mix asphaltic concrete. The soil and hazardous materials are mixed with asphaltic roof cuttings and mineral aggregate to form the mixture. The mixture is coated with a cold mix emulsion to form an asphaltic concrete. The hydrocarbons and hazardous wastes do not leach from the set concrete.

Abstract: A reagent material useful for converting a contaminated waste material, which is environmentally unacceptable, to a relatively harmless granular substance which is environmentally acceptable. The reagent material is comprised of an effective amount of alumina, silica, a hydroxide, or hydroxide precursor, of an alkali metal, calcium oxide, and a medium to large pore zeolitic material. The method involves blending an effective amount of the reagent material with the waste material and allowing it to dry without setting, thereby resulting in an environmentally acceptable particulate substance.

Abstract: Ash obtained from incineration of municipal waste is mixed with small quantities of water, from 10-35% by weight of the ash, and the product so formed is compacted and extruded. Where required, sufficient lime is added to raise the pH of the product from about 7.4 to about 11.6. The lime can be combined with a product containing silica and/or alumina. The solid products obtained are virtually insoluble in water and are substantially non-polluting.

Abstract: The immobilization agent for industrial waste according to the present invention is characterized by that it contains cement, ferrous chloride, iron oxalate and amorphous aluminium silicate, and it is preferred said ferrous chloride, iron oxalate and amorphous aluminium silicate are contained in it by mixing ferrous chloride and iron oxalate with amorphous aluminium silicate and granulating and heating the mixture in an inert gas stream. Further, according to the present invention, it may also contain at least one selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, cobalt chloride, aluminium sulfate, citric acid, calcium chloride and sodium sulfate in addition to the compounds mentioned above.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining stabilized molded materials from wastes, said method consisting of mixing the waste with a soldification agent and in extrusion molding the material obtained under vacuum and at constant temperature. The corresponding installation has a mixer connected to the molding device.

Abstract: A method is described for environmentally sound usage of combustible hazardous waste in an operating rotary kiln. The method is particularly adapted for disposal of solid hazardous wastes, optionally in the form of a blended waste homogenate, packaged in sealable containers. The containers are used as fuel modules and charged into a rotary kiln cylinder where kiln gas temperatures range from about 950.degree. to about 1200.degree. C. to achieve high destruction and removal efficiencies.

Abstract: A fixant for fixing toxic organic compounds comprised in waste material comprising an inorganic binder based on calcium compounds mixed with an alumino silicate, and at least one metal sulphate which fixes said organic compounds and counteracts leaching, is disclosed. Preferably a combination of several metal sulphates, especially aluminum sulphate, manganese sulphate and ferric sulphate is used. Moreover, the fixant preferably comprises an organo-clay compound, in particular a bentonite, a montmorillonite and a hectorite.A process of treating waste material comprising toxic organic compounds by mixing said waste material with said fixant, as well as a matrix formed from at least a set inorganic binder based on a cement and a silicate with environmentally harmful organic compounds containing waste material encapsulated therein, said matrix also comprising at least one metal sulphate which fixes said organic compounds and counteracts leaching is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition which is useful for forming construction blocks and encapsulating hazardous materials, a process for producing blocks and encapsulating the material, and blocks made of the material. This composition is a mixture of pozzoulanic fly ash and bottom ash. The weight ratio of fly ash:bottom ash is preferably in the range 80:20% by weight to 20:80% by weight. The process comprises the steps of (a) blending a dry mixture comprising the ash mixture with water; (b) transferring the blended mixture into a compression zone and (c) compressing the blended mixture in the compression zone to form a brick of the desired size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fixing toxic or nontoxic waste material, in which method the waste material is allowed to absorb into an organic absorbent, the waste material-containing absorbent thus obtained is treated with an occluding agent and the resulting product is mixed with a hydraulic binder and a hardening activator in order to form a cement matrix. The occluding agent used in preferably a silicon compound, such as silica gel or water glass, or a silicon polymer which can be formed from granulated blast furnace slags. The absorbent used can be an organo-clay compound and/or cellulose. The invention also relates to a composite kit for fixing waste material, comprising an absorbent, a hydraulic binder and an occluding agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition which is useful for forming construction blocks and encapsulating hazardous materials, a process for producing blocks and encapsulating the material, and blocks made of the material. This composition is a mixture of kiln dust or volcanic fly ash and aggregate. The process comprises the steps of (a) blending a dry mixture comprising the kiln dust or volcanic fly ash mixture with water; (b) transferring the blended mixture into a compression zone and (c) compressing the blended mixture in the compression zone to form a brick of the desired size.

Abstract: Burners for burning waste, comprising a conventional fuel nozzle and a waste slurry nozzle. Waste slurry nozzles, comprising a first conduit, a second conduit and an acceleration zone comprising a mixing chamber and an acceleration conduit. Waste slurries comprising a continuous phase and a solids phase, the solids phase consisting essentially of solids having at least one dimension less than about 1/8 inch and solids having no dimension less than 1/8 inch and no dimension larger than about 5/8 inch. Methods for burning waste, comprising feeding a slurry of cement raw materials to an up end of a rotating kiln, and ejecting a waste slurry from a burner such that a portion of the waste slurry lands in the calcining zone of the kiln.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, environmentally stabilized formed product and to a method of producing a hard, dry, e.g., agglomerated or formed, environmentally stabilized product useful as a construction material, e.g., as pellets, panels, bricks, etc. comprising: a) ash such as RDF or coal ash (typically stack scrubber solids or bottom ash obtained from the burning of coal), b) an oxidizer and c) water. The amount of water present is selected to render the product plastic so that it can be molded to the desired shape. The oxidizer is provided in a sufficient amount to oxidize unstable compounds and to convert potassium, calcium or magnesium bisulfite to the sulfate form. Following the addition of the oxidizer, the admixture is exposed to electromagnetic energy, preferably ultraviolet light, to help drive the oxidation reaction to completion.

Abstract: A method of using waste materials produced by coal combustion to produce useful products. In one embodiment the invention provides solid bricks produced by compressing together fly ash, bottom ash, gypsum, calcium carbonate, and lime. These bricks have sufficient structural strength for use in building and construction. In another embodiment, waste materials are encapsulated in a mixture of fly ash, bottom ash, gypsum, lime, and calcium carbonate and compressed into bricks that may be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. Further, the compressed bricks containing waste material may be coated with an impermeable membrane of a synthetic polymeric material. Further, the invention provides a mobile, trailer-mounted apparatus for compressing the mixtures into bricks.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides a geopolymeric binder in powder, used for the ultra rapid treatment of materials, soils or mining tailings, containing toxic wastes. The geopolymeric binder has a setting time equal to or greater than 30 minutes at a temperature of 20.degree. C. and a hardening rate such as to provide compression strengths (Sc) equal to or greater than 15 MPa, after only 4 hours at 20.degree. C., when tested in accordance with the standards applied to hydraulic binder mortars having a binder/sand ratio equal to 0.38 and a water/binder ratio between 0.22 and 0.27. The preparation method includes the following three reactive constituents:a) an alumino-silicate oxide (Si.sub.2 O.sub.5,Al.sub.2 O.sub.2) in which the Al cation is in (IV-V) coordination as determined by MAS-NMR analytical spectroscopy for .sup.27 Al;b) a disilicate of sodium and/or potassium (Na.sub.2,K.sub.2)(H.sub.3 SiO.sub.4).sub.

Abstract: A toxic waste fixant for detoxification of a contaminated soil, sediment, and or sludge material includes a mixture of: ferric and/or ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, and/or aluminium sulfate and/or Portland cement, and/or gypsum (calcium sulfate), and/or blast furnace slag, and/or lime (calcium oxide). Fixants made from mixtures of the above compounds are designed to prevent leaching in excess of regulatory standards for specified inorganic and organic toxic compounds and elements. These fixants will also reduce the concentration of most organic toxic compounds through various chemical reactions and bonding as determined by solvent extractions and analysis by GC/MS. The ferric and/or ferrous sulfate may be partially or completely replaced by cobalt sulfate, whereas instead of the respective sulfates the corresponding chlorides may be used as well.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel formed product and method of producing a hard, dry, e.g., agglomerated or formed, product useful as a construction material comprising: a) papermill sludge made up of paper fiber, clay and calcium carbonate, b) ash such as coal ash (typically stack scrubber solids obtained from the burning of coal), and c) water. The amount of water present is selected to render the product plastic so that it can be molded to the desired shape. An oxidizer is provided in a sufficient amount to oxidize unstable compounds and to convert potassium, calcium or magnesium bisulfite to the sulfate form. Following the addition of the oxidizer, the admixture is exposed to electromagnetic energy, preferably ultraviolet light, to help drive the oxidation reaction to completion. In an optional form of the invention, a minor amount of a cation exchange resin is added to the mixture to sequester heavy metals.

Abstract: Contaminated oily soil is used as a component in a cold mix asphaltic concrete. The soil is mixed with asphalt roof cuttings containing fibers and mineral aggregate to form a mixture. This mixture is coated with a cold mix emulsion to form an asphaltic concrete. The hydrocarbons do not leach from the set concrete.

Abstract: A method is shown for producing a lightweight aggregate by treating flyash and sewage sludge. The flyash and sewage sludge are mixed together and then agglomerated into pellets, with or without the use of a binder. The pellets may be coated and then are dried. The dried pellets are introduced into a rotary kiln in a direction that is co-current with the flow of fuel and air through the kiln. The pellets in the kiln will be indurated and will experience complete calcination as well as varying degrees of pyrolizing and sintering. The product of the kiln is a nodular material having a low density but with a hard and porous structure. The product of the kiln is feed to a cooler. The flyash sewage sludge mixture has a significant fuel value that is usable in the kiln. Furthermore, the fuel value available in the kiln off-gases may be used for drying the materials.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for hydraulically backfilling empty mined salt cavities. The method comprises combining at least one pozzolanically active waste material with an effective amount of an alkaline earth metal in the form of an alkaline earth metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal oxide and saturated brine to form a pozzolanic mixture, wherein the relative proportions of said pozzolanically active waste material, alkaline earth metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal oxide and saturated brine are sufficient for reaction under atmospheric conditions in said salt cavity to form a stable, low porosity, load bearing pozzolanic cement; and hydraulically depositing said pozzolanic mixture in the empty salt cavity.

Abstract: A method for treating chromium ore waste contaminated soils by detoxification, fixation, immobilization and stabilization comprising the steps of soil grinding, pre-activating, reducing chromium valiancy, forming insoluble metal hydroxides, and incapsulating the chromium compounds containing agglomerates to prevent potential chromium leaching from the soil according with the standard toxicity characteristic leaching procedure requirements. Additive agents such as an acidic solution, a bivalent iron sulfur containing salt, e.g. ferrous sulfate, an alkalifying agent, e.g. calcium lime slurry or lime kiln dust or caustic, a stabilizing agent, e.g. cement, cement kiln dust, silicates, polyelectrolytes, and the like are also disclosed as assisting in the chromium immobilization reactions by reacting with certain constituents in the soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing agent, for fixing organic and inorganic impurities containing material, which comprises an organophilic clay material and a clay-growth agent. The clay-growth agent comprises at least one magnesium compound and/or at least one aluminium compound, and an initiator for clay formation. This initiator is a silicon-containing material, such as a glass or a silicon-containing rock, such as pumice, basalt or andasite. The magnesium compound preferably originates from granulated blast furnace slags, or is magnesium oxide, whereas the aluminium compound is expediently aluminium oxide or an alumina containing material. An oxidising agent can also be present. A method for fixing organic and inorganic impurities containing material to an at least partially organophilic clay material in an aqueous medium, and, if desired, hardening the resulting material using an inorganic reagent and, where appropriate, a hardening activator, is also described.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing a hazardous waste is provided. The method comprises providing a dry cementitious composition capable of hardening and in the form of finely divided particles of at least one cement binder, placing an amount of the dry cementitious composition into the hazardous waste with or without an additional added volume of water, without any type of physical mixing of the cementitious composition and water other than the mixing which occurs merely by applying the cementitious composition into the water. The major portion of the particles of the cementitious composition have approximately the same drop rate through the volume of water. The water contacts the dry cementitious composition when poured into the volume of water to hydrate the particles of the dry cementitious composition, the particles of cementitious composition dropping through the water to displace excess water and form the hydrated cementitious composition particles in a substantially non-segregated mass.

Abstract: Plutonium, strontium, and cesium found in aqueous waste solutions resulting from nuclear fuel processing are removed by contacting the waste solutions with synthetic zeolite incorporating up to about 5 wt % titanium as sodium titanate in an ion exchange system. More than 99.9% of the plutonium, strontium, and cesium are removed from the waste solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cementitious encapsulation of waste materials and/or contaminated soils containing heavy metals, to render them immobile, and particularly to the immobilization of metals, in regulated amounts, in such wastes. A waste product comprising the metals is provided. A mixture is prepared comprising said wastes and/or contaminated soils containing heavy metals, water, and a cementitious composition. The cementitious composition comprises magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride in proportions effective to produce, with said water, a magnesium oxychloride cement. The cementitious composition is present in an amount which, on setting, is effective to immobilize the metals in said waste and/or contaminated soils. The mixture of waste and/or contaminated soils and cementitious composition is introduced to a disposition site, and allowed to set and harden at said site. The present invention is particularly useful for the remedial treatment of landfill sites.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing sludge containing flyash and calcium sulfate formed by a lime or limestone scrubber increases the sludge particles to a size at which leaching of toxic metals from the particles no longer occurs at toxic levels. The sludge is dewatered and injected into the furnace in a manner to cause the flyash to soften and stick together. The agglomerated particles then fall into a bottom ash pit for removal as a common waste.

Abstract: Burners for burning waste, comprising a conventional fuel nozzle and a waste slurry nozzle. Waste slurry nozzles, comprising a first conduit, a second conduit and an acceleration zone comprising a mixing chamber and an acceleration conduit. Waste slurries comprising a continuous phase and a solids phase, the solids phase consisting essentially of solids having at least one dimension less than about 1/8 inch and solids having no dimension less than 1/8 inch and no dimension larger than about 5/8 inch. Methods for burning waste, comprising feeding a slurry of cement raw materials to an up end of a rotating kiln, and ejecting a waste slurry from a burner such that a portion of the waste slurry lands in the calcining zone of the kiln.

Abstract: A method is described for making an aggregate mixture (32) from by-products of waste disposal plants to reclaim disturbed area (10) without the use of either native soil or similar trucked in earth materials. The waste materials used include water plant lime sludges, coal ashes (bottom and precipitated fly), wood ashes (bottom and precipitated fly), crushed or chipped concrete waste from ready-mix concrete plants, and yard waste compost. A disturbed area is reclaimed using the ashes or concrete waste materials in varying combination with the lime sludge. The pH characteristics and low permeability of lime sludge are used to prevent any heavy metals and other potential pollutants in the ashes from leaching into the ground water. The yard waste compost material (38) is then layered over the lime sludge/ash/concrete aggregate mixture to serve as a final cover and to support the growth of permanent vegetation (40).

Abstract: A method and a mixture for chemically stabilizing electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) by entrapping the metals inherent in EAFD within a cementitiously hardened product from the mixture. The method includes using the pozzolanic characteristics of EAFD and forming a mixture of EAFD with sufficient water and lime, as necessary, and then allowing the mixture to react to form a cementitiously hardened product. The hardened product has acceptable leachate concentrations, permeability characteristics and unconfined compressive strength.

Abstract: A waste material which contains chromium and/or lead impurities is treated by mixing the waste material with diatomaceous earth and/or sodium borate and then heating the mixture in a free oxygen containing gas at about 500.degree.-1500.degree. C., preferably in the presence of steam.

Abstract: A composition for the fixation of hydrocarbons from contaminated oily soil. The contaminated oily soil is a component in a cold mix asphaltic concrete. The soil is mixed with asphaltic roof cuttings and mineral aggregates to form the mixture. The mixture is coated with a cold mix emulsion to form an asphaltic concrete. The hydrocarbons do not leach from the set concrete.

Abstract: Municipal solid waste ash is utilized in the manufacture of an aggregate and is processed to form a cold bonded pellet which, when tested by means of TCLP leaching extraction tests using TCLP No. 2 extraction fluid, does not exceed the 1990 limits for the RCRA priority heavy metals. The pellets may be surface coated with defined agents to seal the pellet or to provide properties which enhance the use of the pellet in either asphaltic or cement concrete mixes.

Abstract: The process is the type wherein the solid portions of waste materials of all origins are crushed and ground to a granulometry of under 5 mm and then are heated to between 750.degree. C. and 1,350.degree. C. According to the invention, after the addition, if applicable, of liquid waste to obtain a pasty mass, a reagent is added to the latter, in pulverulent form having granules of under 500 microns based with calcium carbonate, silicium oxide and, possibly, aluminum and iron oxides in quantities to produce the following ratio after incineration: ##EQU1## Application to the treatment of all types of waste by combustion.

Abstract: A method of treating solid hazardous wastes containing unacceptable levels of leachable metals such as lead, cadmium and zinc includes mixing the solid waste with a buffering agent selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, reactive calcium carbonates and reactive magnesium carbonates, and with an additional agent which is an acid or salt containing an anion that forms substantially nonleachable forms of the metals, which additional agent is selected from the group consisting of triple superphosphate, ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, phosphoric acid, boric acid and metallic iron so that under both acidic and nonacidic leaching conditions the metals in the mixture will be converted to substantially nonleachable forms.