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Welcome to the Zappa-Stewart Superabsorbent Blog

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

Solidification of Hydro-excavation Waste Fluid With Superabsorbent Polymers

Safe and accurate, hydro-excavation has become the most preferred method for digging, daylighting, and potholing in many industrial sectors in recent decades. While the benefits of hydro-excavation are undeniable, the process generates large volumes of mud and slurry waste that must be managed, in order to avoid environmental risks. Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) offer an easy, safe, and efficient tool for eliminating free liquid in hydro-excavation waste fluid so that the waste can pass the EPA paint filter test, be transported and disposed in a Subtitle D landfill as solid waste.

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Topics: Environmental Remediation, Hydroexcavation Trucks, Liquid Waste Management, superabsorbent polymers

On-Site Solidification of HDD Mud with Superabsorbent Polymers: Minimize Costs & Risks

HDD technology has changed the landscape for the pipeline and utility infrastructure sectors, quite literally.  Pipelines can now be installed under waterways, utilities can be installed without open cutting of highways and wetlands, and residential service connections can be installed without digging up lawns and driveways.  But as with any technological innovation, HDD technology comes with its own set of new challenges.  The large volumes of spent drilling mud, that are generated by HDD borings, require careful management, to prevent unnecessary costs and environmental risks.  A rapidly increasing number of HDD contractors and owners choose to solidify spent drilling fluid on-site, with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), to eliminate excessive waste hauling, disposal charges, and environmental liabilities.

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Topics: Horizontal Drilling, Waste Solidification, Environmental Remediation, HDD Solidication

Wastewater Treatment Sludge Becomes Dry & Stackable in Minutes with SAPs

Sludge, a viscous mixture of liquid and solid components, is generated by essentially all industrial and municipal wastewater treatment facilities. When sludge must be periodically removed in order for plant maintenance crews to conduct repairs on process equipment and concrete holding basins, superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are the safest, fastest, and most efficient choice to convert wet sludge to dry stackable solids.

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Topics: Environmental Conditions, Environmental Remediation, SAP vs Cement, Sawdust vs SAP, superabsorbent polymers, SAP Applications, Wastewater Treatment Sludge, Solidifier

Using Superabsorbent Polymers To Reduce Dredged Sediment Management Costs, Time, and Environmental Impacts

 

Dredging of saturated sediments from waterways, lakes, and storm water ponds generates massive quantities of waste material that require costly and time-consuming management practices, such as dewatering, solidification, transportation, and off-site disposal.  If solidification of saturated sediments, followed by transportation and disposal, are parts of the work plan at your site, superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can help to reduce your budget as well as time on-site, and they can minimize environmental risks. 

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Topics: Environmental Conditions, Waste Disposal, Environmental Remediation, SAP vs Cement