Brownfields Remediation

Virotec’s patented ViroSoil™ technologies work by forming strong ionic bonds with metal ions in the leachate and soil. Our reagents such as reagents such as MetalLock™ and MegaLock™ effectively immobilize metals into insoluble, non-reactive sediment.

MetalLock™ has many applications in landfill including leachate treatment, solid waste treatment and revegetation of disturbed areas. The reagent is effective at binding up metals in both leachate and soil.

The high charge-to-mass ratio of the MetalLock™ reagent increases its ability to strip metal ions from solution and soil. The heterogeneous mineral surfaces in our MetalLock™ reagent catalyse metal precipitation from solution at a pH lower than that achievable with conventional alkaline treatments such as lime and sodium hydroxide. This is achieved by providing nucleating surfaces and acting as substrates for precipitation. Most trace metals are initially trapped by adsorption. MetalLock™ is dominated by particles with a high surface area-to-volume ratio and high change-to-mass ratio. During aging, elements are redistributed to become structural components of new minerals during recrystalisation.

Treating contaminated soil with Virotec’s ViroSoil™ reagent range, efficiently binds up metals and neutralizes activity, this in turn allows successful revegetation of the soil, decreasing erosion of the soil, and any runoff from rainfall will not be contaminated, protecting the surrounding areas from degradation. ViroFlow Technology is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly total solution that can be implemented in-situ at any landfill site.

Virotec regularly conducts waste stabilization treatments using ViroSoil™ Technology on various landfill. These wastes are high in leachable metals, so they are treated with our MetalLock™ and MegaLock™ reagents which bind metals into a stable form that dramatically lowers leachable metals, meets leachate discharge limits and allows the waste to be disposed of in a safe manner.

The following types of wastes have successfully been immobilized by ViroSoil™ Technology:

CCA contaminated soil and sludge

Tannery waste

Electroplating and metal finishing solid waste

Hydrocarbon contaminated waste

Accelerated breakdown of plastics