Contaminated waste material arising from chemical processes, like for example catalysts containing heavy metals resulting from oil production, will be mechanically crushed and safely bound in a cement matrix for immobilisation. Objective of the solidification process is a final product for landfill, that is also stable and not resistant to leaching.

Specialist for building plants for solidification is the manufacturer NUKEM Technologies, who builds for an oil producer a solidification plant and a crushing plant for mineral waste. Objective of the end customer is the treatment of heavy metal waste resulting from oil production in order to have it easy to handle and transportable and avert danger to employees and environment.

The procedure consists of many process steps, beginning with the receiving area where the different solid wastes are delivered by trucks, shovel excavators or big bags. Two aspiration filters of series Infa-Jet AJN of Infastaub will gather the occuring dust emissions at a truckdumping station, that ends in two different mines. 

The high humidity and aggressive atmosphere at the location demand a very high corrosion protection. All sheet metal parts are therefore furnished with a surface protection category C5, which means a total coating thickness of 280-320 µm. In addition, all plastic and other components were adapted to the special local conditions.

According to specification the filters were designed for a volume flow of 5.220 m³/h, a raw gas dust load of approx. 1-2 g/m³ and a residual dust content of < 10 mg/m³. The ambient temperature is up to 87 °C. Regarding the material of filter media the decision was in favor of a polyester needle felt with a special impregnation in order to protect against acids and bases. Antistatic is achieved with an admixture of stainless steel fibres to the filter material.

The sedimented dust is returned to the solidification process. Product loss is prevented by that.