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: Jan. 24, 2000 – Apr. 23, 2000

  1. All ten tank-bottom sludge samples have now been collected from field sites in Garfield, Beaver, Woods, Okmulgee, Custer, Marshall, Grady, Payne, and Jefferson Counties in Oklahoma. Testing continues on the sludges to characterize primarily physical properties. Chemical testing of sludges is in progress.

  2. Testing of the roadbase mixtures is essentially complete. As specified in the scope of work, four sludges were selected based upon ranges of physical characteristics, and the four sludges were used to make roadbase mixtures. Physical testing is nearly complete on the mixtures.

  3. All the sludges tested are lacking in significant percentages of asphaltenes. Consequently, they have not made high-quality roadbase mixtures.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER:

Complete 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.