Tunneling & Drilling

Challenges

Logistical

EPB-TBM tunnel spoils as a liquid are difficult and costly to manage for disposal.

Moving large volumes of liquid waste requires specialized equipment like vacuum trucks, which increases operational costs and complexities.

Increases risk of spills during transport, causing contamination and cleanup liabilities.

Both Horizontal (HDD) and Vertical Drilling generate large amounts of tunnel spoils that need to be disposed of cost-effectively and in compliance with regulations.

Liquid Waste

Liquid waste requires secure containment at the site, which can be difficult to manage in urban or confined spaces.

Untreated liquid waste can leach and contaminate groundwater and surface water.

Treating liquid waste without solidification requires complex and time-intensive dewatering processes, which can slow tunneling progress.

Improper handling of liquid waste can result in litigation, regulatory fines, and reputational damage, jeopardizing future contracts.

Bulking Agents

Sawdust, lime and cement can be used to solidify wet spoils to solids, however this method can increase disposal volumes by up to 300%, meaning that dump trucks have more to transport an create an increased waste load at the final disposal site.

MetaFLO Solution

Our non-toxic, inert solidification reagents convert tunneling and drilling spoils to a manageable solid, on-site, in minutes. The solidified waste can then pass Slump and Paint Filter Tests, and typically requires a dose of less than 1.0% wt/wt.

The solidified slurry is transferred to dump trucks to be transported directly to the final disposal site. It reduces risks, lowers operational costs, and promotes a safer, more sustainable waste management approach in tunneling projects.

Why Solidification is Essential?

Solidifying tunneling liquid waste transforms it into a manageable solid, simplifying transport, disposal, and regulatory compliance. This reduces risks, lowers operational costs, and promotes a safer, more sustainable waste management approach in tunneling projects.

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