Evaluation of Road Base Material Derived from Tank Bottom Sludges

EPA Grant Number: R827015-01-0
Title: Evaluation of Road Base Material Derived from Tank Bottom Sludges
Investigators: John N. Veenstra, Dee Ann Sanders, Donald R. Snethen
Institutions: Oklahoma State University
EPA Project Officer: Bala Krishnan
Project Period: July 23, 1999 to June 22, 2000 (N/C Ext. to December, 22, 2000)
Project Amount: $70,556
Research Category: Beneficial use of waste products

Description:

REPORTING PERIOD: Nov. 24, 1999 – Jan. 23, 2000

  1. Nine tank-bottom sludge samples have now been collected from field sites in Garfield, Beaver, Woods, Okmulgee, Custer, Marshall, Grady, and Jefferson Counties in Oklahoma. An industrial hygiene survey was accomplished during the first sampling round this quarter. No health or safety problems were noted. Very low airborne concentrations of benzene were noted; the concentrations, while estimated, were very far below the allowable 15-minute exposure.

  2. Only one additional sludge sample (Payne County) is necessary to complete the protocols outlined in the project. Testing continues on the sludges to characterize primarily physical properties. Chemical testing of sludges is beginning.

  3. Testing of the roadbase mixtures continued this period. The two soil aggregates previously selected (a well graded, rounded, fine to medium sand with silty fines; and a well graded, angular medium to fine, silty sand with some fine gravel) were mixed with two of the sludges tested during the first quarter. Sludges selected were the two at the extremes of volatility. Hveem testing was not carried out because of broken equipment, but should be completed during the upcoming quarter.

4. Qualitative characterization of the sludges indicates that the sludges are primarily paraffinic. Sludges tested to date have not indicated significant percentages of asphaltenes.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER:

Complete field sampling.

Complete material testing and continue the optimization studies of the road base mix.

Complete the environmental analyses on tank bottoms; continue physical and environmental analyses on road base test specimens.