Case Study: Supreme Perlite solves Hoffman’s sludge disposal problem at Washington Park Reservoir Restoration Project
The Project: Fixing a Giant Water Reservoir
Hoffman Construction Company is famous for working on large building projects. They build and fix important structures like bridges, buildings, and, in this case, a giant municipal water reservoir in the heart of the city of Portland, Oregon. The City of Portland asked Hoffman to cap the reservoir, which holds 12.4 million gallons of water, to safeguard the local drinking supply from contamination.
But the project is about more than just fixing the reservoir. The city also wanted Hoffman Construction to beautify the area surrounding the reservoir by adding waterfalls and creating a park where people could visit, relax, and enjoy nature.
The project is extensive and will be a valuable addition to the city’s local infrastructure. But before it could be completed, Hoffman Construction ran into a problem which is common for big projects: excess liquid sludge that is too wet to dispose of, yet too dry to suck up with a vac truck. They needed an effective solution, that is both economical, and environmentally friendly. Something that would not slow their progress towards completing the project on-time.
Picture: Concrete washout basin containing excess sludge that is too saturated for landfill disposal.
The Problem: A Lot of Messy Sludge
During the reservoir restoration project, Hoffman Construction encountered a significant challenge with sludge—a thick, muddy mixture of sand and water resulting from the concrete finishing process. This thick, wet mass couldn’t simply be dumped in the landfill due to transport and solid waste handling regulations. According to these rules, sludge must be dried out and solidified before disposal to ensure it doesn’t leach while in transport.
Hoffman Construction needed to find a way to effectively dry out the sludge without adding additional weight, as heavier sludge increases disposal costs. The solution had to be quick and efficient, capable of absorbing a lot of the excess moisture, and transforming the sludge into a solid, stable form that meets the required standards for landfill disposal in Oregon.
Picture: Dump boxes empty, and filled with Enviroperl absorbent perlite ready for solidification.
The Solution: Supreme Perlite Company to the Rescue
Hoffman Construction asked Supreme Perlite Company for assistance. Supreme Perlite specializes in making products called Perlite Absorbents, which can soak up liquids very quickly. One of their top products is Enviroperl. It is especially good at absorbing water and drying out wet materials like sludge, making it the right fit for Hoffman Construction’s application.
Here’s how Supreme Perlite helped Hoffman Construction:
- Step 1: Hoffman Construction mixed Enviroperl expanded perlite absorbent in with the wet sludge. The sludge was placed in 10-yard drop boxes, lined with plastic, and then Enviroperl was spread over the top.
- Step 2: Hoffman used a power shovel to gently mix in the Enviroperl absorbent to disperse the perlite evenly throughout the sludge.
- Step 3: Once mixed in, Enviroperl started to work right away. It soaked up the water in the sludge quickly. This is because Enviroperl has many tiny holes and an irregular surface texture, which gives it a large surface area, allowing it to absorb water fast.
- Step 4: Within a few hours, the sludge went from wet and sticky to dry and solid. This meant it could now be safely and easily dumped in the landfill without leaching, following EPA rules.
One of the best things about Enviroperl is that it’s super lightweight. This meant that it didn’t add much extra weight even after absorbing the water from the sludge. This was important because it kept the disposal costs low, which helped Hoffman Construction stay within their budget.
Picture: Stabilized sludge after application of perlite, ready for disposal.
What Supreme Perlite Can Do: More Than Just Drying Sludge
The success of the project showed just how useful Enviroperl is, but Supreme Perlite Company doesn’t stop there. They make other products that are just as helpful in different situations. One of these products is called Agri-hold.
Agri-hold is another type of Perlite Absorbent, but it’s mainly used in farm applications. Agri-hold can hold a lot of water as well—up to 8 times its own weight! This makes it great for keeping field soils moist, or absorbing excess moisture in manure or bedding.. It’s also really safe to use because it doesn’t harm the soil, doesn’t attract pests, and won’t harm the environment. Farmers have tested using Agri-hold to improve their soil, control bad smells from manure, and even mix it with animal feed to keep it from clumping together.
Picture: Perlite absorbent used to clean up spills, effectively soaking up liquids on a concrete surface for easy removal.
More Ways Supreme Perlite’s Products Are Used
Supreme Perlite Company’s products, like Enviroperl and Agri-hold, are incredibly versatile. Here are some more ways these products can be used:
- Enviroperl: It’s not just great for drying out sludge. Enviroperl is also perfect for cleaning up spills. For example, if oil or other liquids spill on the ground, Enviroperl can be spread over the spill to soak up the liquid quickly, making the cleanup easy and safe. It’s also used in barns, garages, and even in construction sites to manage waste and keep areas clean.
- Agri-hold: Besides helping hold moisture in the soil, Agri-hold is used to top-dress manure or compost to control odors. It can be mixed with fertilizers or pesticides to make them easier to spread.
Benefits of using Supreme Perlite absorbent products
- Highly absorbent
- Cost-effective
- Safe to handle, non-toxic
- Environmentally friendly
- Lightweight, easy to dispose,
- Won’t add excess weight to disposal costs
- Compatible with virtually all other substances
- Will not burn or catch fire
- Will not rot or decompose
Other applications
- Excavation and demolition
- Drilling mud stabilization
- Other liquid waste stabilization and disposal
- Tank decommissioning
- Flammable liquids disposal
- Hazardous substances cleanup
- Pond/sediment dredging
- Site remediation
- Garage/shop floor sweeping compound
- Biosolids disposal
- Barn/feedlot floors
Picture: Supreme Perlite absorbent in action, effectively cleaning up liquid spills on a concrete surface for safe and easy disposal.
The Happy Ending: A Job Well Done
Thanks to Supreme Perlite Company’s absorbent products, like Enviroperl, Hoffman Construction successfully solved their sludge disposal problem quickly and effectively. They didn’t have to worry about slowing down the project or going over budget. They completed the job on time, and the new reservoir in Washington Park has beautiful new waterfalls and is a popular attraction for everyone.
What Can Supreme Perlite Do for You?
Supreme Perlite Company has products for horticulture, agriculture, construction, spill kits, insulation, filtration, and much more. Enviroperl and Agri-hold are designed to make your work easier, safer, and less expensive. They’re here to help you solve problems with excess moisture, or hold onto moisture in areas where it is most needed. Visit us online, or reach out by phone or email to learn more!
In addition to providing high-quality products, Supreme Perlite Company is committed to offering environmentally friendly solutions that benefit both you and the planet. Our perlite products are lightweight, durable, and versatile, making them ideal for various applications. Whether you’re looking to improve soil aeration, enhance insulation, or manage spills, our team is ready to support your needs with expert advice and top-notch customer service.
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