59    INDUSTRIAL WASTE SLUDGE POND VERTICAL
EXPANSION
Larry D. Lydick, Regional Engineer-Geosynthetics
National Seal Company
Aurora, Illinois 60504
David Powell, Sales Engineer
Fluid Systems, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
INTRODUCTION
Many industrial facilities, such as chemical petrochemical, power generation, and wastewater
treatment plants across the U.S. produce by-products known as sludge. This sludge is typically
disposed into ponds, lagoons, or landfill cells. Quite frequently, these disposal facilities are located on
the manufacturer's property. Many of these disposal facilities are rapidly approaching capacity. In
order to continue to operate efficiently, these facilities must provide added capacity, in a short period
of time.
In today's environmentally conscious society, alternatives to land disposal are a priority. However,
up to this point, many manufacturing methods do not permit by-product free processes. Therefore,
until technology and economics dictate otherwise, sludge disposal facilities need to be designed and
constructed as effectively as possible.
PROBLEM
The chemical company mentioned above disposes of its sludge in their own disposal facility. This
facility was performing adequately, however it was nearing capacity. Approximately one month of
disposal capacity remained. A quick, yet sound, economical, and long lasting solution to the problem
was needed.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
The company had several possible solutions to their disposal capacity problem. The solutions
evaluated were:
Permit a New Site
Permitting a new site is an option which allows a company to utilize the most current technology for
the lining system providing maximum environmental protection. And it affords potential for maximum available capacity the drawbacks are many. The permitting process for new sites is lengthy. It
can take a year or more to site, design and approve a disposal facility. The expenses incurred for the
permitting process are often prohibitive. Finally, it requires land which may be better suited for other
use.
Chemical Stabilization
Using chemicals to stabilize sludge is often only marginally effective. It does allow for expansion of
a current cell without expanding its footprint leaving other valuable land for other use. Permit
modification is normally all that is required for this method.
But again there are some disadvantages. Chemical stabilization is only effective for the top 15-20
feet. This company's average pond depth was 45 feet with 54 feet being the maximum depth. A
chemical design must, also, be carried out to assure compatibility of the sludge with the additives to be
used. This process is quite expensive in comparison to other alternatives.
47th Purdue Industrial Waste Conference Proceedings, 1992 Lewis Publishers, Inc., Chelsea, Michigan 48118.
Printed in U.S.A.
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