Subject
The SOLINDUS project aims to develop a mineralurgical treatment process applicable to polluted sediments. The aim of the VALSOLINDUS project is to validate the SOLINDUS process by assessing the health risks for treatment personnel and the risks to human health and ecosystems associated with the reuse of treated sediments on soils.
ERDF Convergence 2007-2013 programming in partnership with CTP and INISMa.
Budget: €8,052,743.93 of which €797,635 for ISSeP, financed 40% by the ERDF and 60% by the Walloon Region.
This project started on July 1, 2008
The SOLINDUS project aims to provide an integrated solution to the problem of managing sediments and related materials, by building a semi-mobile mineralurgical treatment platform to decontaminate a large fraction of Category B sediments. The effectiveness of the treatment is assessed in part by chemical analysis of the materials, as described in the Walloon Government Order of 11/30/1995. We are also looking into the possibility of recycling fine fractions (the most polluted) in cement works, brickworks or as expanded clay balls.
The results of the mineralurgical treatments developed in SOLINDUS show a tendency to concentrate pollutants (organic and inorganic) in fines (<15 µm). However, contamination of the other particle fractions remains high in relation to the thresholds set in AGW 1995.
The value-adding opportunities studied (production of bricks, clay balls, etc.) are promising. Laboratory tests to incorporate 10% of the <15 µm fraction into the clay to produce expanded clay beads showed very good results. The problem lies in assessing feasibility on a larger scale, since manufacturers need considerable volumes (120 T) to carry out their tests. Recycling in cement plants does not appear to be suitable, as the sediments studied contain too much mercury and/or too much organic matter. Finally, the “bricks” route is still under study. It is important to note that there is interest on the part of the industrialists (aggregate and brick producers) who have been contacted.
To find out more about the 2007-2013 Structural Funds program, visit the Walloon Government’s Structural Funds website at http://europe.wallonie.be.