METHOD OF UTILIZING CONTAMINATED WATER

Abstract

A method of utilizing contaminated water for soil stabilization operations or for the preparation of aggregates for use in asphaltic mix designs. A method where soil is evaluated for a soil typed and characteristic and a classified mixture of contaminated water is selected based on the soil type and characteristics. A reagent is selected based on the soil type and characteristics and the selected water mixture. The reagent and water mixture are then mixed to form a modified calcium hydroxide that is then applied to the soil.

A method where an aggregated is desired to have better adherent qualities within the mix design for better performance is selected and the surface water reduced/removed through the use of a select reagent and contaminated water.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing contaminated water for soil stability, comprising the steps of: evaluating soil to determine soil type and characteristics; selecting a classified mixture of contaminated water based upon the determined soil type and characteristics; selecting a classified mixture of contaminated water based upon the determined soil type and characteristics; selecting a reagent based upon the determined soil type and characteristics and the selected classified mixture of contaminated water; mixing the selected classified mixture of contaminated water and the selected reagent to form a modified calcium hydroxide; and applying the modified calcium hydroxide to the evaluated soil.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected reagent is cement.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected reagent is quick lime.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected reagent is super hydrated lime.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected reagent is fly ash.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of mixing occurs on site.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of mixing occurs at a plant.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of marinating aggregates for asphaltic pavements with the selected reagent

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014] The FIGURE is a flow diagram of a method of utilizing contaminated water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to the FIGURE, a method of utilizing contaminated water is shown. By way of example only, the method is shown in relation to a soil stabilization process, but can be used with other applications such as a backflow slurry process, aggregate marination, or the like.

[0016] The method begins at step 100 where soil is evaluated, preferably by a soil engineer, to determine the soil type and characteristics.

[0017] Based upon the soil type and characteristics, at step 110, a contaminated water mixture is selected from a plurality of classified mixtures with each classified mixture having a defined range of contaminant/water percentage. Next, at step 120, based upon the soil type and characteristics and the selected classified mixture, one or more reagents, such as cement, quick lime, super-hydrated lime, fly ash or the like, and the amount of reagent used are selected.

[0018] For example, if the soil type is clay like, lime, because it changes the property of the clay is selected with a classified mixture having a range of functionality compatible with clay and lime. In another example, where the soil is sand, cement may be selected with a classified mixture having a range of functionality compatible with sand and cement.

[0019] At step 130 the selected classified mixture and the selected reagent(s) are mixed either on-site or at a plant, or production environment. Mixing the classified mixture and the selected reagent(s) produce a modified calcium hydroxide. Once mixed, the modified calcium hydroxide is applied to the soil in a conventional manner at step 140.

[0020] The addition of the modified calcium hydroxide to the soil provides strength and longevity and prevents erosion. Also, the modified calcium increases impermeability in the soil and either confines the contaminant within the impermeable soil matrix and/or binds the contaminant to the surface of the modified calcium hydroxide. Finally, because contaminated water is used for soil stabilization, clean drinking water is preserved. Within the process of marinating aggregates for asphaltic pavements, the aggregate's free water in conjunction with the contaminated water is utilized with the select reagent to increase the adherence of the asphaltic binder to the aggregate mineral free of water.