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Welcome to the Zappa-Stewart Superabsorbent Blog

Managing Liquid Waste Transportation & Disposal with SAPs

 

Liquid waste presents several challenges for many industrial processes.   Liquids are difficult to transport, liquids contaminate work areas and environmental receptors, and most landfills do not accept liquids. On-site solidification with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) offers the most rapid, safest, and, in most cases, most cost-efficient method for transforming difficult-to-manage liquid wastes into easily managed solid waste.

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Topics: Liquid Waste Management, SAP costs

75x Stronger Absorption Capacity: SAPs Reduce Liquid Waste Costs

Solidification of liquid wastes is a widely used waste management method in a variety of industrial sectors. When evaluating different solidification products, absorption capacity is a critical parameter that should be understood before making a selection. Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) feature an absorption capacity that is approximately 75 times greater than traditional absorbents such as sawdust and dried granular corn cobs.   

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Topics: Superabsorbents, Liquid Waste Management

The 3 Best Methods for Improving the Compressive Strength of CCR

The physical properties of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) present many challenges to utility owners and environmental professionals. The waste material (commonly referred to as Coal Ash) is most often captured and stored in open ponds or impoundments, which allow for unrestricted stormwater infiltration, resulting in saturated CCR.

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Topics: SAP, CCR Stabilization

Most Asked Questions About Superabsorbent Polymers

Every day our team receives many questions from current customers and interested future users of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) around the world.

We have provided answers to some of the most popular questions, below.

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Topics: Super Absorbent Polymers, superabsorbent polymers, SAP Applications, Sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers, SAP costs, FAQ

What is Liquid Waste?

One of the core applications for superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) is liquid waste solidification. SAPs are utilized by waste management professionals to prevent potentially harmful fluids from entering waterways, groundwater aquifers, and other sensitive environments.

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Topics: Waste Solidification, SAP, Liquid Waste Management

Save Space and Money with Efficient Medical Waste Solidifier Packaging

We’ve spoken previously about the performance and time savings benefits of the dissolvable film packaging for medical waste solidifiers. However, there are additional benefits to these packs; notably surrounding the storage and shipping aspects when compared to traditional bottle products. 

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Topics: Medical Waste Solidification, superabsorbent polymers, SAP costs, Medical Devices, SAP for Medical Applications

Coal Ash Drying with Superabsorbent Polymers

A Step-by-Step Guide for Minimizing Reagent Quantities and Treatment Costs

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are the most efficient available technology for eliminating free liquid and stabilizing saturated coal ash.  However, without the proper planning steps, SAPs can be severely over-applied which often leads to unexpected treatment costs and/or underperformance.   

The following steps are critical for the successful stabilization of coal ash with superabsorbent polymers: 

 

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Topics: SAP, Environmental Remediation, superabsorbent polymers, SAP Applications, Wastewater Treatment Sludge, SAP costs, Coal Ash

Fisheyes in Your Ice Packs?

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is commonly used in the manufacturing of ice packs used in the shipping of frozen and refrigerated food packaging.

SAP conglomerates, known as fisheyes, nodules, or gel balls, are common problems in ice pack production. 

Fisheyes are denoted as globs or conglomerates of SAP gellant that do not readily hydrate when combined with water.

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Topics: superabsorbent polymers, SAPs for consumer products, SAP Applications, Fisheye, Icepacks

Superabsorbent Polymers Solve Wet Weather Challenges at CCR Sites

Rainy weather is often the last thing anyone wants to see on the forecast, whether your plans involve a round of 18, a day out on the boat, or a power plant CCR basin closure.  

Water, while vital for life, can be an expensive nuisance when it comes at the wrong time and place.

For electric power utilities, closing a CCR basin during rainy season often result in the following scenarios:

  • Missed deadlines
  • Excessive chemical expenses, and
  • Over-budget labor due to out-of-scope ash drying.

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Topics: superabsorbent polymers, CCR Stabilization, Coal Ash, wet and saturated coal combustion residuals (CCR)

Rapid Sludge Solidification & Excavation from Aeration Basins

When a major U.S.-based municipal wastewater utility contractor needed a rapid, money-saving, and efficient solution for removing 1,000+ tons of saturated sludge from an aeration basin, they turned to ZapZorb superabsorbent polymers (SAPs).  

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Topics: Wastewater Treatment Sludge, Sludge removal, Rapid sludge solification, Landfill requirements, EPA’s paint filter test, wastewater utility