Remediation works by E-Clay stabilisation to produce an engineered material suitable for reuse on site.
Site Background & History
The Clydach Refinery, affectionately known as the Mond, was built in Clydach, near Swansea. During the 100 years since it began production the Clydach refinery has become the largest and most versatile nickel refinery in Europe.
The original 30-acre site has now grown to 55- acres. The site produces about 40,000 tonnes of nickel products per annum.
Remediation Works
Envirotreat have been involved in several projects at the Clydach Refinery.
In 2010, Envirotreat were commissioned to evaluate treatment options for the Bobby Waste stream produced on the site. The waste comprises of filter bed media from the on-site water treatment plant. After prolonged use the filter media becomes coated in nickel deposited on the surface and as a consequence, the media becomes ineffective and requires replacement. The used filter media has traditionally been disposed of at a hazardous landfill in England. This was not considered to be a sustainable solution going forward, therefore Vale sought other disposal / reuse options.
Envirotreat demonstrated through treatability trials that the Bobby Waste could be treated to enable reuse onsite.
In 2011, Envirotreat were commissioned to look at other waste streams generated onsite, including the Bobby Waste, contaminated soil arisings resulting from recent civil engineering works at the site and copper bearing waste. The treated material was required to comply with an engineering fill specification and a risk-based remediation criteria for groundwater protection. All three waste streams were treated with a stabilisation medium incorporating a designated E-Clay formulation to achieve the required engineering and environmental target objectives.
Validation.
The treated materials achieved both the environmental and engineering requirements to enable reuse on site (as a waste recovery process).
