Pollution Solutions
Solids/Sludge

FORAGER® Sponge, in its cube form, is useful in the treatment of pourable aqueous dispersions or slurries derived from :

Municipal Sewage • Harbor Sediments and Dredgings • Mine Tailings • Lime-Generated Precipitates • Bioreactor Sediments • Filter Cakes • Incinerator Ash • Soil • Drilling Muds

The pore structure of the FORAGER® Sponge cubes functions as a self-filter which prevents the total occlusion of the active polymer component of the cubes. In a typical application, the substrate to be remediated is diluted with sufficient water to produce a pourable, thin slurry. FORAGER® Sponge cubes are added in the proportion of 1 to 10 cubic feet of cubes to 200 cubic feet of slurry. The resultant mixture is agitated gently for 2 to 24 hours. A rotary or tumbling mode of agitation is preferred, such as may be produced in drums, tanks, tunnels and concrete delivery trucks. The rate of rotation is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2 rpm.

At the conclusion of the treatment period, the mixture is poured through a sieve screen of .25 to .40 inch mesh size, which retains the cubes while allowing passage of the dispersion. In some applications, elevated temperatures shorten the treatment time.

Solvating agents may be added to the slurry to expedite transfer of the sought pollutant from the suspended particles to the Sponge. For example, citric or acetic acids might be employed in certain metal-removing applications. Surfactants (preferably non-ionic) or water-miscible solvents may be useful in the scavenging of organics

The duration of treatment depends upon a number of factors, such as : the amount of pollutant to be removed, the efficiency of removal sought, the nature of bonding forces which cause the pollutant to be attached to the suspended particles, the consistency of the slurry, the average size of the suspended particles, and the affinity of the Sponge for the targeted pollutant.

FORAGER® Sponge Type M is effective for the selective absorption of metals.