Formatted Title

Thermal Desorption of TPH-Contaminated Dehydrated Sludges and Vapor Management at Kalina, Poland

Background/Objectives

The 5-hectare Kalina Pond, situated in Świętochłowice, very close to Katowice, Poland, had its origins in the early 20th century as a result of coal mining activities in the region prior to World War I. Initially, it served as a fishing pond and later transformed into a leisure center with the addition of a swimming pool. For many years, the reservoir remained relatively intact. However, a significant shift occurred in the early 1950s when a nearby chemical plant, specializing in paint and varnish production, began disposing of its waste upstream from the reservoir. Consequently, the site became rapidly contaminated with BTEX, phenol, and aromatic hydrocarbons due to runoff from the waste pile.

Approach/Activities

In response to this environmental challenge, Remea Poland/Menard, a Polish environmental remediation company, engaged Haemers Technologies to spearhead the decontamination efforts. The primary objective was to rejuvenate the site, transforming it into a recreational area for local residents while fostering biodiversity in the region. Haemers Technologies designed an ex situ thermal treatment plant, comprising two main units:

• A heating pile containing dehydrated sludges (with humidity levels of up to 50%) collected from the pond's bottom.
• A Vapor Treatment Unit (VTU), responsible for recondensing the vapors and reintroducing them into the pile for oxidation via a burner flame (reburn principle).

At the outset of 2022, Haemers Technologies initiated a on-site pilot-demonstration pile on to demonstrate the efficacy of its ex situ Smart Burner technology in addressing the specific contaminants. Subsequently, two additional piles were constructed adjacent to the pond to actively treat the sludges.

Results/Lessons Learned

The project encompassed the treatment of 2800 m³ of contaminated sludges, with maximum average pollutant concentrations of up to 12,500 mg/kg d.m for PAHs, 720 mg/kg d.m for BTEX, and 1049 mg/kg d.m for phenols. The treatment spanned a duration of 10 months and resulted in a remarkable pollutant mass reduction exceeding 99.5%.

The successful completion of the project has led to the restoration of the site, allowing residents to enjoy the recreational features of the pond and newly developed facilities once again. Moreover, the revitalization efforts have facilitated the return of wildlife, rejuvenating this small piece of land.