USEPA recently completed a field demonstration project to treat lead contaminated sediment and soils in and along the Big River near Desloge, Missouri. The Agency along with an approved EPA consultant and contractor selected Free Flow Technologies, Ltd. (Free Flow) as the chosen vendor to supply the treatment reagent for this project. As a result of Free Flows successful track record for treating numerous sites in Missouri on related lead contamination projects, Free Flow was determined to be technically effective, cost efficient and the right fit for this application.
The field demonstration involved the treatment of 500 tons of dry bank soils as well as 500 tons of wet river sediments. Both the soils and sediment had tested hazardous by the USEPA's TCLP evaluation for lead. Free Flow conducted bench scale treatment studies and determined a 4% application of Free Flow 200 would achieve the desired TCLP result of < 5mg/L lead.
Free Flow reagent was transported to the site in end dump trailers was stored on the ground and covered with plastic sheeting to protect the stockpiled reagent. Utilizing traditional construction equipment the contractor moved the additive from the stockpile with a small front end loader to the treatment area where a large tract excavator mixed the reagent with the contaminated material. The reagent is granular in nature making it very user friendly for the contractor and with its low dust generation makes it user friendly for the EPA.
Subsequent to the treatment application and mixing, samples were collected and sent to the EPA laboratory for testing. Analytical results confirmed both pilot test areas had achieved passing results with TCLP results of < 5 mg/L Lead. The passing results allowed the treated material to be transported to a non hazardous Subtitle D landfill saving the taxpayers the additional cost of handling the material as hazardous waste.
Based upon the success of the bench scale and field pilot demonstration Free Flow has positioned itself to be the front runner in providing clients with a proven cost effective reagent to successfully treat heavy metals contamination in a wide variety of applications and conditions. All parties associated with this field demonstration from the EPA, consultant, contractor and supplier were all well pleased with the results of the demonstration.
