Crude Oil Contaminated Soil: Its Neutralization and Use

The paper represents the research results for the process of crude oil-contaminated soil neutralization with the use of a neutralizer obtained on the basis ofhumic substances. Using physical methods (gas and liquid chromatography, fluorimetry, atomic absorption spectrometry, IR spectrometry), the element and group compositionswere determined for the crude oil-contaminated soil, neutralizer, and neutralized soil. Optimal parameters were determined for the process of the crude oil-contaminated soil neutralization under laboratory conditions:weight ratios of the crude oil-contaminated soil, neutralizer and water, and the temperature and neutralization process duration. The technological scheme was developed for the neutralization of the crude oil-contaminated soil in field conditions. It was found that low-boiling point hydrocarbon fractions (C 12 –C 17 ) disappear completely at neutralization, the content of high-boiling point hydrocarbon fractions (C 20 –C 23 ) is essentially increased, and the content of oil components and metals, including the toxic ones, is decreased. The engineering characteristics for nine mixtures of the stabilized soil, containing the neutralized soil, were evaluated under laboratory conditions and the conditions were determined for their use in road construction (with regard to road category, characteristic pavement layer, minimal air temperature). An experimental road section was constructed with the use of the stabilized soil with neutralized soil (40%).