Alternative to Cement Stabilisation of Liquid Waste

During horizontal directional drilling works, an alternative method of treating the liquid slurry biproduct of the drilling works had to be sourced.

Traditionally, this has been done by treating the liquid waste with a cement based product to produce a solid waste which is then transported to landfill. This method could not be utilised due to the location of the drilling works in proximity of natural habitats on the coast of the Moray Firth inclusive of marine life.

This traditional method of solidifying liquid waste has a number of disadvantages including but not limited to:

• Cement contains hexavalent chromium which is a genotoxic carcinogen
• Most muds treated with cement significantly raise the pH requiring the material to be disposed at a specialist location
• Cement adds more weight to the waste – therefore more cost to transport and handle
• Cement can impact biodiversity of surrounding fauna (all species)
• No potential reuse

The alternative product sourced, known as MuDD-DRY, is an eco friendly product that is able to solidify liquid waste and form a solid product that is eco-friendly and a cheaper alternative.

Not only does this comply with more environmental regulations, but it reduces leaching as MuDD-DRY degrades over multiple decades. The solid waste is inert and has various alternatives to landfill including being utilised as fertilizer or reused as backfill material.