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Innovation & Technologie Angebot

Cost-effective base and sealing layers made from resisdue materials for waste disposal sites, brownfields and fallow land

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20180612001
Publication Date: 12 June 2018

Summary

A small German company developed a product from waste materials, which makes it possible to create sealing and base layers for waste disposal sites and brownfield sites, as well as to cover flat foundations of steep disposal sites and landfills.  Production of the layers is cost-efficient. Owners/ operators of landfill sites or contaminated land as well as engineering offices are sought for commercial agreements with technical assistance.

Description

A German company offers cost-effective base and sealing layers for waste disposal sites and brownfield sites. The product is made of residual materials, which take on a specific function in the production of the insulant or base layer. Sand, slag, and mineral waste act as a structural base. Sewage and surface water sludge produce the desired plasticity and water-tight sealing quality. Ash and dust stabilize the mixture. The production of the mixture involves a specially-developed mixing process. The mixing process can however be carried out with conventional equipment.



The product has a homogenous structure. Its shear strength is similar to that of granular soil, whereas the consistency and impermeability can be compared to clayey soil. The composition is flexible and must match the locally available waste materials, and it must be adjusted for the individual requirements.



In addition to numerous internal and external analyses, the company has official certifications, which certify that the waste materials used in the sealing process (incl. slag) are safe, and confirm the desired sealing effect. The pore space in the surface is clogged up by the fine-grained waste material.  The excess water in the pores is used to seal the pore space, so that the regulatory requirements regarding waterproofing are fulfilled.



Sustainability is achieved by utilising recycled waste from local sources and by reducing CO2-emissions through the use of biosolids (sewage sludge).



Current and Potential Domains of Application:



•	Surface sealing of all types of waste disposal sites 

•	Base layers for the re-use/subsequent use of waste disposal sites

•	Restructuring of brownfield sites for new construction

•	Restoration and restructuring of inner-city fallow land

•	Restoration or reduction of smouldering/ burning landfills in the Mediterranean region 

•	Utilisation of sewage sludge rather than incinerating or dumping at sea

•	Restoration of sludge disposal lagoons

•	Building of commercial, industrial and parking-designated areas on non-sensitive soil

•	Installation of photovoltaic systems on a stable soil foundation



Technical details:



The product has the following soil-related characteristics:

•	Solid to semi-solid consistency

•	Easily integrated and compactable

•	Wet soil density (light)	ρ = 1,4 - 1,6 t/m³

•	Shrinkage	around 0 %

•	Angle of friction	φ' = 30° - 35°

•	Constrained modulus	Es = 20 - 35  MN/m²

•	Compressive strength	qu = 250 - 350 MN/m²

•	Permeability coefficient	k = 5 x 10-9 m/s - < 5 x 10-10 m/s

The attainable values above confirm that the product has similar attributes to both cohesive and clayey soil, as well as to granular soil in one single layer.  The eluate behavior of the product affirms its environmental sustainability, in accordance with item 3.1 of the German Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance (Bundes-Bodenschutz- und Altlastenverordnung für den Wirkungspfad Boden-Grundwasser- BBodSchV) 



Owners and operators of landfill sites or contaminated land, interested in restructuring for building purposes or other uses are sought as well as engineering offices for commercial agreements with technical assistance. The German company will provide the relevant consultancy and advice and assist with the adjustments to the local specific requirements.

Advantages and Innovations

The innovation lies in the fact that the materials generated in the special mixing process have improved characteristics for further use.

•	The product boasts the shear strength of a granular soil, but the cohesion and waterproof quality of a cohesive, clayey soil.  

•	The product has a better processability with conventional equipment in varying weather conditions than naturally cohesive soil 

•	The processed waste materials have no negative effect on the environment

•	Using sewage sludge reduces the production of CO2 by avoiding burning via combustion

•	The product is stable and slip-proof even on steep slopes

•	Production and processing are low-cost

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

Partners are sought for commercial agreemeents with technical assistance.



Partners could be operators of landfills, owners of contaminated land, fallow land or brownfields to be restructured, e.g. for building purposes or other types of reuse approaches.



Potential partners could also be engineering offices offering services to landfill and contaminated site owners.



The partners should integrate the new product and technology in their restructuring concepts and services. 

The German company will provide the relevant consultancy and advice and assist with the adjustments to the local specific requirements.