Low Pressure Polymer Immobilization Methods to Reduce Contaminant Leaching from Sands - 22550

A water-reactive liquid polymer is injected at low pressure into frozen sands to immobilize water soluble contaminants in sands. Ice is formed when the sand is frozen to minimize contaminant migration during the injection process that has a pressure as high as 414 kPa (60 psi). Sodium chloride is used as a model contaminate, and polymerization occurs as the ice thaws, creating a solid polymer that encapsulates the salt. Subsequent salt leaching to determine the immobilized mass of salt is used to evaluate efficacy. (authors)