In the Environmental Engineering laboratory specific experimental activities are carried out to study treatments for improving the chemical, physical and environmental properties of different types of liquid and solid materials in view of their disposal and/or reuse. These treatments are aimed at removing or reducing the mobility of the organic and/or inorganic contaminants initially present in the tested matrixes and where applicable also at the production of final products with suitable properties for reuse in specific applications. The feasibility of the selected treatments is analyzed by performing lab scale batch and/or column tests as well as pilot scale experiments. The results obtained by the experimental activities may be then employed for designing full scale remediation interventions or treatment units.
Here below a brief description of the experimental activities performed for the treatment processes currently investigated in the laboratory of Environmental Engineering are reported.
In-situ chemical oxidation
The experimental activities are aimed at evaluating the feasibility of the application of chemical oxidation treatments to soils and groundwater contaminated by organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and MtBE.
Granulation and/or stabilization/solidification
The experimental activities are aimed at analyzing the feasibility of treatments applied to sediments, soils and/or industrial residues to improve their environmental behaviour and physical, chemical and mechanical properties so to favour their reuse in specific civil engineering applications.
Accelerated carbonation
The activities are aimed at assessing the feasibility of applying accelerated carbonation treatments to alkaline industrial residues as a technique for storing the carbon dioxide emissions deriving from point sources and also as a treatment for improving the environmental and mechanical behaviour of the residues.