During the Intersoil congress, organised by Web-Event in collaboration with several parties including Leefmilieu Brussel, the theme was soil remediation. Being the soil remediation specialist, HMVT was of course in attendance.
Dry-cleaning
Klaas de Jong spoke on behalf of HMVT at the Intersoil Congress. On Tuesday 13 November, in his presentation Klaas recounted the story of the remediation of a former dry-cleaning business. This remediation was carried out using a thermal approach to an unsaturated soil zone and an oxidative approach to the groundwater.
Current developments
In the course of this congress the changes in the regulations were also discussed, as well as the responsibilities of all the parties involved in soil remediation. In addition, new techniques and methods in carrying out soil studies were explained in detail, as well as innovative techniques in soil and groundwater remediation.
Author: DJC
In our modern and ever-changing society we increasingly often come across new challenges. This requires new and innovative environmental techniques, for example to purify water. Last year our Belgian colleagues from Wegrosan/HMVT put together quite a unique solution. They installed a sustainable and ecological water purification system on the first floating office boat in Antwerp.
Famous Antwerp Badboot
The first office boat on the Napoleonkaai in Antwerp was developed on the remains of the city’s popular floating swimming pool, the Badboot. The Badboot was used as a public swimming pool up until 2015. When the swimming pool, which was located on the upper deck, sank it was no longer possible for the Badboot to continue as it had. An Antwerp advertising agency decided to buy the restaurant and bar section of the boat and turn it into the first floating office in Flanders. And with great success.
Challenging task
Our colleagues in Belgium had never before carried out a water purification project on a boat. And just like with almost every other project they were faced with numerous challenges during this one. First of all, the water had to be purified in accordance with Flemish standards. This meant that the wastewater of the floating office had to meet certain requirements before being discharged. In addition, on the boat there was only a small area available for the installation. What’s more, the equilibrium and balance of the boat played an important role. And what made the project even more complex is that account had to be taken of variable loads. On work days there would be a peak in wastewater, whilst at the weekends there would be none at all.
Keeping business afloat
After a thorough preliminary survey, a wastewater recovery system was installed based on forced bed aeration and activated carbon filtration. This is similar to the Constructed Wetlands concept that we already actively deploy in the Netherlands in water purification projects. It is a filter that can be fitted into existing watercourses. Both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor zones are formed in this, allowing the contamination to be degraded in a biological manner. The advantage of this is that there is no purification system above ground, and little energy is required to purify the water. The activated carbon filtration was installed as an extra purification step so that some of the purified water could be used to flush the toilets.
Thinking in possibilities
Unexpected situations and problems will invariably arise in any project. With the boat purification project these involved the building structure of the boat and the limited space available. For the water purification installation, pipes were laid from the foredeck to the aft deck. These pipes were installed straight through the boat’s compartments, a challenging task for our Belgian colleagues. The stability was ultimately retained and the office is still afloat.
This project is a good example of the way in which we work. We always look for the best solution that meets the customer’s wishes and fits the environmental factors of the situation. If you are curious as to what we can do for you, please feel free to contact us!
PFAS in soil is a major problem these days. PFAS are used in many products due to their specific properties (water repellent and high thermal stability). Examples include the Teflon layer in a saucepan, the compound added to fire extinguishing agents and water repellent spray for clothing. The PFAS group of substances has been developed in such a way that it is almost impossible to tackle them biologically, chemically or thermally. Substances that fall within this group of substances are PFOS, PFOA and GenX. The seminar on PFAS that was held on 1 November 2018 focused on the search for practical solutions for now and in the future.
Interactive seminar
In collaboration with the RSK, the Municipality of Haarlemmermeer and Afvalzorg Nederland, HMVT organised this interactive and fascinating seminar about PFAS. Each of the parties involved described from their own perspective the problems and possible solutions surrounding PFAS. The seminar also examined possible problems that could be encountered in practice and how to deal with them as a company or municipality. Together with the participants, the four speakers also looked for possible solutions.
Tackling the problems
Direct exposure to PFAS through, for example, ingestion via groundwater or drinking water can result in health problems. In order to handle the PFAS issue thoroughly it is therefore important that good (technical) solutions can be found. Various different studies have provided lots of information on issues concerning PFAS. The focus of this seminar was on the possibilities in practice. The seminar delved deeper into the practical solutions to resolve this problem.
HMVT provides a solution
Paul Verhaagen represented HMVT as one of the speakers at the seminar. Paul described the new water purification technique that HMVT had introduced in Amsterdam, a technique that enables water containing PFAS/PFOS to be purified. Paul also explained how best to handle a situation if PFAS is the main problem in a soil remediation project, as well as how to set up the remediation in the most effective way. HMVT continues to develop and search for new techniques. We hope that in a year’s time, HMVT will be able to provide even more effective solutions for dealing with the issue of PFAS.
Do you want to know more about PFAS?
For further information about PFAS in the soil or about HMVT, please feel free to contact Paul Verhaagen on +31 (0)6 118 60 806 or call the general number +31 (0)318 624 624.
Presentations?
To see all the presentations that were held, click: Presentation PFAS in de bodem – 1 November 2018.
PFAS in groundwater and process water is a major problem these days. PFAS are used in many products due to their specific properties (water repellent and high thermal stability). Examples include the Teflon layer in a saucepan, the compound added to fire extinguishing agents and water repellent spray for clothing. The PFAS group of substances has been developed in such a way that it is almost impossible to tackle them biologically, chemically or thermally. What’s more, the substances bind to activated carbon very poorly. Substances that fall within this group of substances are PFOS, PFOA and GenX.
Water contaminated with PFAS is usually purified using activated carbon filtration. However, the loading levels on activated carbon are very low and difficult to estimate in advance. This makes the water purification costs a great risk. HMVT has been looking for new alternatives and, together with its partner Cornelsen from Germany, is now introducing in the Netherlands a new water purification technique for purifying water containing PFAS/PFOS.
With this new water purification technique, chemical additives cause the PFAS to coagulate, which can then be filtered from the water flow. In this way, the bulk of the PFAS contamination can be removed from the water. For extra safety and to polish the effluent flow, the water is then purified using activated carbon. This type of (ground)water purification has never before been carried out in the Netherlands.
Commissioned by HABO GWW, HMVT purified groundwater containing PFAS that was released during the remediation of the ‘Cruquiuswerf’ in Amsterdam. The Cruquiuswerf is part of the Cruquiuseiland, an attractive peninsular in the Eastern Port Area. Once rough and industrial, this area is now a fantastic new residential area within cycling distance of the centre of Amsterdam.
This project has now been successfully completed. Thanks to this purification technique, it was possible to give a reliable estimation of the water purification costs. In addition, substantial savings were made in the usage costs for activated carbon.
More information?
For further information about PFAS in (ground)water or about HVMT, please feel free to contact Paul Verhaagen on +31 (0)6 118 60 806 or call the general number +31 (0)318 624 624.