Cutler, Brian (11 Temple Street, Victoria Park, W.A. 6100, AU)
| 1. | A method of treating fluid substances including introducing into a fluid substance a first agent comprising a water soluble calcium salt and allowing the first agent to dissolve or become substantially uniformly distributed throughout the fluid and then subsequently applying a second agent in the form of a silicate solution. |
| 2. | A method according to claim 1 , wherein the water soluble calcium salt is calcium acetate. |
| 3. | A method according to claim 2, wherein the silicate solution is a sodium silicate solution. |
| 4. | A method according to claim 2, wherein the calcium acetate is in a form of porous particles. |
| 5. | A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first agent comprising a water soluble calcium salt is sprayed onto the fluid substance. |
| 6. | A method according to claims 1 to 5 wherein the second agent in the form of a silicate solution is sprayed onto the fluid substance. |
| 7. | A method according to claim 5 wherein after the first agent is sprayed onto the fluid substance, an intermixing means is provided which will substantially distribute the first agent throughout the fluid substance. |
| 8. | A method according to claim 6 wherein after the second agent is sprayed onto the fluid substance, an intermixing means is provided which will substantially distribute the second agent throughout the fluid substance. |
| 9. | A method according to either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the intermixing means is an auger coaxially received within a conduit. |
| 10. | A method according to claim 1, wherein the calcium acetate is introduced into the fluid substance in a powder form. |
| 11. | A method according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid substance is sprayed on a conveyor provided with a first and a second spray station. |
| 12. | A method according to claim 11 , wherein after the fluid material has passed the second spray station, the material is formed into a pellet or briquette. |
| 13. | A substantially waterproof product made from the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12. |
METHOD OF TREATMENT OF FLUID MATERIAL
Technical field
The present invention relates to a treatment of a fluid material for the purpose of preventing contamination.
Background of the invention
Throughout the specification the term fluid material shall be taken to include viscous slurries and particulate material which may be both dry or moist irrespective of whether they have the capacity to flow as a true fluid.
Fluid materials as described above in the form of contaminated soil, mine tailings or other industrial waste are a danger to the environment because of the leaching of toxic substances by water into the surrounding environment.
It is an object of this invention to provide a means whereby fluid materials of the form described above which may contain toxic or dangerous substances can be rendered substantially unavailable for leaching.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect, the invention resides in a method of treating fluid substances introducing into a fluid substance a first agent comprising a water soluble calcium salt and allowing the first agent to dissolve and/or become substantially uniformly distributed throughout the fluid and then subsequently applying a second agent in the form of a silicate solution.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the first agent comprises calcium acetate. In one embodiment the calcium acetate is applied as an
aqueous solution. In another embodiment the calcium acetate is applied in solid form. In another embodiment the calcium acetate is applied in the form of porous particles.
According to a second aspect, the invention resides in a substantially waterproof product from the method as described above for the first aspect of the invention.
Description of preferred embodiments
The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of several specific embodiments.
The first embodiment comprises the treatment of contaminated soil, mine tailings or other industrial waste.
According to the first embodiment the contaminated material is carried by a conveyor past a first spray station at which a calcium ion solution is sprayed onto the material. Subsequently the conveying system causes the material to be intermixed to ensure a substantially uniform distribution of the solution into the mixture. The material is then caused to pass a second spraying station at which a silicate solution is applied to the material. Subsequent to that spraying action the mixture is again caused to be mixed such that the silicate solution becomes evenly distributed throughout the material.
The calcium ion solution of the embodiment comprises a calcium acetate solution while the silicate solution comprises a sodium silicate solution. If desired a suitable wetting agent may be applied to both solutions to ensure substantial distribution of the respective solutions through the material. Once the material has passed the second spraying station and adequate mixing has taken place the material may be caused to pass through a pelletising plant or like installation which will serve to compress and form the treated material into discrete elements such as pellets briquettes and the like.
According to a second embodiment the calcium acetate is applied in a powder form or in the form of porous particles of calcium acetate.
The effect of each of the embodiments is to render the resultant pellets and briquettes substantially waterproof and whereby they are substantially impervious to the penetration of any water. This will serve to effectively seal the contaminants contained within the pellets or briquettes from any leaching action by water. Once having been pelletised the materials can then be disposed of at a suitable storage site.
According to an alternative embodiment the material to be treated may be conveyed through a conduit or passage and the first and second agents are introduced into the material as it passes along the passage at spaced locations along the conduit or passage. The conduit or passage can be provided with means which will cause the material to become intimately mixed with the respective agent subsequent to its introduction. One particular form of the embodiment comprises a passageway having an auger coaxially received through it and where the auger is caused to rotate within the passageway to effect the required mixing.
In the case of each of the embodiments rather than being pelletised or formed into briquettes, the resultant mixture can be deposited at a desired location and then compacted to form a substantially water impervious mass.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above.
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