GEO, Inc.


Atomisol Metal Stabilization-Encapsulation Technology

 

Process description


Atomisol® Metal Encapsulation is an alternative treatment technology for stabilizing toxic heavy metals in soils and production waste streams. The Atomisol® proprietary stabilization systems render high levels of lead, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and other heavy metals into nonleachable, safe forms, suitable for onsite deposition or off-site disposal in Subtitle D landfills or construction debris monofills. Atomisol® treatment technologies are effective in stabilizing metals in soils, sludge, ashes and sediments.

Members of certain crystalline mineral types (Atomisol®) exhibit the property of isomorphism, i.e., a condition present when an ion at high dilution is incorporated by mixing crystal formation into a precipitate, even though such formation would not be predicted on the basis of crystallographic and ionic radii.

The Atomisol® product and process initiates the formation of isomorphous minerals that are representative of the reaction-series association existing between a series of stable mineral solids with analogous chemical formulas and crystal forms. When the atoms have similar sizes and similar physical properties (e.g. specific gravity, optical properties, etc.) a stable isomorphous situation exists.

All precipitation/crystallization reactions tend to carry other constituents (ions) from the mothersolution. Actual precipitation / crystallization occurs in a succession of steps as the process seeks equilibrium. The driving force for precipitation/crystallization is coincident crystal nucleation and heat loss. Initial nucleation is characterized by expanded growth-rate, and greater opportunity for
substitutions in the crystal's structure. This mechanism leads to the desired formation of coprecipitated isomorphous minerals in a reaction-series. As co-precipitation accelerates, the larger crystals grow at the expense of smaller crystals with the smaller crystals dissolving and reprecipitating within the larger crystals.

The process continues until equilibrium is reached and the mother-solution is depleted by initial nucleation, co-precipitation, and post co-precipitation. Problematic heavy metal ions are effectively rendered stable, insoluble and non-hazardous within distinct new mineral species.

These processes are cost effective, operationally straight forward and reliable.

There are more than 300 Atomisol® isomorphs.

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Appications

The Atomisol® technology is field proven and commercialized for stabilizing heavy metals including: lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, chromium, selenium, antimony, barium, and copper. Lab scale proof of concept work is underway on mercury. Sites of application include firing ranges, metal laden sediments, mining operations, primary steel manufacturing, ash from thermal destruction, foundry waste, battery plants, electro-plating wastes and military installations.

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Advantages and Effectiveness

Standard stabilization techniques “encapsulate” or bind heavy metals to contaminated media by adding cement with pozzolonic materials. This approach adds to both volume and mass of the treated material, is difficult to apply, costs more, and has uncertain longevity. The Atomisol® approach involves converting the physical state of the leachable metallic and oxide forms to an
environmentally stable mineral and other chemical forms without adding to volume or mass, and avoiding or minimizing offsite disposal costs. The technique typically results in a cost-savings of 20 to 50% over conventional techniques and treatment results are permanent.

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Environmental Benefits

  • Reduction in metal contaminant leachability for a broad range of heavy metals including their various forms (i.e., pure, inorganic, organo-metallic, etc.);
  • Reduction in environmental risks to soil, groundwater, and ecological receptors after treatment;
  • Easily applied at most commercial, industrial and/or mining sites;
  • Application is both rapid and cost effective; and
  • Does not negatively affect soil properties (i.e., structure and stability) after application

Costs

Typical Atomisol® application costs will vary depending on soil type, heavy metal type and concentration, form of the heavy metal (i.e., pure, inorganic, oxide, organo-metallic, etc.), site conditions, available resources, location, and regulatory clean-up objectives. Certain specialized metal stabilization applications for, specific troublesome heavy metals, are usually priced on a case by case basis.

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Effectiveness

● Very effective at stabilizing the metal contaminant and reducing the TCLP leachabilty by as much as 99% or more.
● Metals that the technology can treat include: lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, chromium, selenium, antimony, barium, and copper.
● Lab scale proof of concept work is underway on mercury.
● Currently evaluating potential applications for NORMs (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials).

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Company Profile

Ivey International Inc. is an award winning environmental technology company with a commitment to provide outstanding products and services through the development and application of innovative air, soil and groundwater remediation technology. Ivey specializes in remediation technology development and provision to environmental consultants, environmental contractors
and oil and gas companies to restore air, soil and water quality.

Technical innovations (products and processes) developed for the environment include:
● Atomisol Metal Encapsilation Technology;
● Ivey-sol® Surfactant Technology (103, 106, 108, and 109 formulations);
● Ivey-sol® SER (Surfactant Enhnace Remediation) In-situ and Ex-situ Processes;
● Ivey-sol® SEB (Surfactant Enhnace Bioremediation) In-situ and Ex-situ Processes;
● Ivey-sol® SEO (Surfactant Enhnace Oxidation) In-situ and Ex-situ Processes;
● Avisoll® Oil stain and grease remover for the aviation industry.

The Ivey International Inc. products and processes have established a strong international reputation for rapid site remediation and reclamation with significant cost and time savings for our project partners and clients.

Our corporate mission is to be “Today’s Environmental Solutions For A Better Tomorrow”®.

Recent National and International Awards include:

2008
  • The 2007 Environmental Business Journal Achievement Award Bronze Medal

2007
  • The 2006 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation;
  • The 2006 Environmental Business Journal Remediation Technology Merit Award;; and

2006
  • The 2006 Globe Award for Environmental Innovation & Application.

For more information, please visit our website www.iveyinternational.com, call our corporate office at
+ 250-923-6326, or Toll Free at 1-800-246-2744.

Technical Info PDF


Envirologek 2010 xxx xx