Cover-All Provides Ideal Structure For Soil Remediation

For a company that provides full-scale environmental solutions for hazardous waste projects, WTI is accustomed to using innovative products in its processes. A 72’ wide x 300’ long Cover-All® Arch™ (Legend®) building has proved to be an integral part of their remediation processes for a site formally used to manufacture dynamite during World War II.

In 2001, WTI (WasteTron, Inc.) was contracted by the Huntington District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remediate the contaminated site to a habitable state. Plans included cleaning the site through a composting process to stabilize the soil to a safe and usable resource.

“Rather than the traditional methods such as capping the contaminated areas, or sending the soil for incineration, our client decided to try a pilot program using bio-remediation. By composting the soil and letting nature’s ‘bugs’ do the work, we have been able to remediate the soil below regulatory limits. The project is proving to be time-effective and cost-effective,” says Ryan Wheeler, WTI spokesperson.

WTI identified ‘hot pockets’ of contaminated soil on the site, and transported it to the composting area. The soil is placed in windrows and amendments such as straw and chicken manure are added, and then turned daily by a large compost machine. The microbial action that occurs during composting reduces the contamination significantly.

“There is a very fine line of how much moisture needs to be present in the soil for the bioremediation to work. The Cover-All building has been a help in that regard by keeping the weather elements at bay for us,” Wheeler said.

A 4” center ridge-vent in the ceiling runs the length of the Arch building, which allows condensation to exhaust, and large fans were installed at each end of the building for proper ventilation. An 18’ x 18’ door was installed on one end of the building so large machinery can access the building.

“The clear-span space allows ample room for workers, the windrow turner and other machinery,” he said. “As well, the fabric membrane is not affected by the corrosive gases so it will never rust.”

Although there are still several months left in the project, WTI is happy with the initial results. “The results we are getting right now are great... the composting process is working,” Wheeler said.

When this project is complete, WTI plans to disassemble the Arch™ (Legend®) building and move it to other locations for several applications.