15 APRIL 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® New Solution for PFAS-Contaminated Soil Adapted from Information by BAUER Resources GmbH and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s, PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) was once celebrated as a sign of progress. There are thousands of different manufactured chemicals considered PFAS. They were used for fire suppression, nonstick cookware, greaseresistant paper (fast food containers/wrappers, pizza boxes, etc.), even shampoos, cosmetics, and more. Recent research indicates these substances break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time, which may lead to adverse health affects. BAUER Resources GmbH believes it has found a solution to removing these forever chemicals from soil with the world’s first mobile soil washing plant. The newly developed mobile soil washing plant is groundbreaking for medium-scale projects with 10,000 - 30,000 tons of soil polluted with PFAS. “In the past, the only available solution was stationary plants for large volumes which often were not worthwhile for smaller projects. With our mobile soil washing plant, we are filling that gap in the market,” stated Heinrich Unger, Sales Engineer with the Bauer Umwelt Division of BAUER Resources GmbH. The plant is particularly suitable for soils such as sand and gravel mixtures with a silt content from 10-15%. It can be used nearly anywhere PFAS is present in the soil. The centerpiece of the mobile soil washing plant is a washing and fractionating stage where contaminants are separated from the soil and transferred to the aqueous phase. This provides two different material aggregates: a cleaned, fractionated particle mixture and a water-slurry mixture. The particle mixture is free of contaminants and can be reintegrated safely as soil material. The water-slurry mixture is dewatered using another step to separate it from the slurry. The remaining portion of water then passes through a cleaning stage and can be reintroduced into circulation after treatment. “Behind our world first is a plant that clearly sets itself apart from other plants due to its mobility and the recirculation of water,” explained Unger. “Thanks to our many years of experience with handling PFAS, we have perfected the method.” So far, so good. But how effective is the method? “The new plant cleans roughly [33 tons] of soil per hour and removes up to 98% of the contaminants,” said Unger. The advantages of the plant are obvious, particularly when it comes to sustainability. The polluted material is cleaned directly on-site and can generally be reused immediately. This drastically reduces the volume of waste to be disposed of, saving valuable landfill space and cutting down on disposal costs. At the same time, the site’s carbon footprint is improved by eliminating transports to the landfill. Thanks to its mobility, the soil washing plant can be easily transported to different locations without a problem, is very quick to assemble, and requires little space. “The technical assembly takes just about five days, and the space requirement is roughly [200 by 100 feet],” stated Unger. This makes it suitable for smaller or remote sites as well as for special time-sensitive projects. Apart from the environmentally friendly and logistical advantages, the mobile soil washing plant also makes it possible to save considerably on costs: for transport, landfills, and backfill material. “All in all, the mobile soil washing plant is a real breakthrough for the industry that not only benefits the environment but also generates economic advantages for the operator,” Unger concluded. Editor’s Note: In between our print issues, the WWDR Team prepares an electronic newsletter called E-News Flash by WorldWide Drilling Resource by WorldWide Drilling Resource®. This newsletter is filled with articles not included in our print issue. Based on readership, this was the most popular article of the month. Get in on the action and subscribe today at: worldwidedrillingresource.com In the first step, contaminants are separated from the soil. The water used for the project goes through an additional cleaning stage so it can be reused. Once free from PFAS contaminants, the particle mixture can be safely added back to soil. ENV
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