As environmental challenges intensify globally, the need for innovative and sustainable soil remediation solutions has never been greater. CDE is at the forefront of this effort.
Contaminated land, a legacy of industrial activity, threatens ecosystems, communities, and economies worldwide.
While pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other industrial by-products render vast tracts of land unproductive and hazardous, urbanisation and climate change have intensified the urgency of addressing soil contamination.
Addressing this challenge requires more than conventional methods – it demands leadership, technology, and vision.
Wet processing equipment company CDE is providing cutting-edge soil washing solutions that redefine the possibilities of environmental restoration, believing soil remediation is not just an environmental obligation but a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Why soil washing?
Soil washing, a mechanical and chemical process, is emerging as one of the most effective methods to tackle a broad spectrum of soil contaminants.
Unlike alternatives such as thermal desorption or bio-remediation, soil washing delivers high throughput, processing up to 250 tonnes per hour in a single system.
Moreover, the process leaves the soil biologically intact, enabling recultivation and reducing long-term ecological footprints.
CDE’s product line-up includes modular systems designed to meet a diverse range of remediation challenges:
R-Series Primary Screens: The R-Series is a robust feed and screening system designed to handle heavily contaminated soil. It efficiently separates oversized materials and prepares soil for further treatment.
AggMax Logwasher: This high-performance scrubbing unit removes heavy contaminants such as hydrocarbons and metals from the soil. Its modular design ensures scalability, and it excels in breaking down clay-bound materials.
CFCU (CDE Counter Flow Classification Unit): The CFCU targets the separation of fine particles, ensuring that the soil washing process achieves maximum contaminant removal. It is particularly effective in treating soils with a high fines content.
AquaCycle Water Management System: A critical component in sustainable remediation, AquaCycle ensures that up to 90 per cent of process water is recycled. This drastically reduces water consumption, enabling operations in water-scarce regions.
ShearClean Attrition Cells: For soils with stubborn or high levels of contaminants, ShearClean provides an additional scrubbing phase to dislodge contaminants bound to fine particles, enhancing overall remediation effectiveness.
HYDRO:TIP Solid/Liquid Tipping System: Safe direct infeed system for wet waste such as hydro excavated material and tunnel spoil. Dewaters and grades, reducing volume of material sent to landfill.
ProPress Filter Press: Specifically designed for the efficient dewatering of sludge. With the CDE ProPress, up to 95 per cent of process water can be recycled for immediate reuse in the wash plant. Waste disposal fees are cut by recovering a filter cake product that can be used for pipe bedding and landfill capping. This eliminates the need for settling ponds which typically require extensive maintenance, consume labour resources, and incur significant costs.
Daniel Webber, General Manager CDE Australasia, said while traditional remediation methods such as “dig and dump” may offer short-term cost advantages, they fail to address the root causes of contamination and often result in escalating costs due to landfill fees and environmental liabilities.
Soil washing, on the other hand, aligns with global environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities by offering a sustainable, scalable, and efficient alternative.
CDE’s projects can be seen across Australasia but also span continents, each tailored to meet specific environmental and regulatory requirements.
Kuwait UN-funded remediation Project: In Kuwait, CDE partnered with local stakeholders to treat 800,000 tonnes of contaminated soil per year, achieving reductions in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) from an average of 5-10 per cent to less than one per cent in some cases. This project, supported by bioremediation, showcases the adaptability and efficiency of CDE’s solutions.
Saudi Arabia Waste Management Collaboration: In Saudi Arabia, CDE’s installation for a private waste management firm processed 15-30 tonnes per hour, addressing contamination for major oil industry players such as Saudi Aramco.
De Bree Solutions in Belgium: Highlighting CDE’s European footprint, the collaboration with De Bree Solutions modernised contaminated soil treatment operations. By leveraging CDE technology, the company enhanced its processing capacity while adhering to stringent European Union environmental standards.
New York’s Posillico Materials LLC: One of the largest and most advanced contaminated soil washing facilities in the world, the wash plant boasts a high material recovery rate. Posillico can now reduce the unsuitable content in the raw material to about 10 per cent on average, with the remaining 90 per cent being diverted from landfill.
The facility has the capacity to recycle up to 3000 tonnes of soil per day while recovering high value recyclable and saleable products, such as sand and aggregates, that meet New York State Department of Environmental Conservation remediation standards.
A sustainable future
CDE’s soil washing systems integrate seamlessly with complementary techniques such as bioremediation and thermal desorption. This modularity ensures that even fines and heavily contaminated residues can be processed further, maximising recovery and minimising waste. Additionally, CDE’s technology emphasises water recycling, aligning with global efforts to conserve this critical resource.
Daniel says one of the most compelling features of CDE’s approach is its alignment with economic and environmental sustainability. Soil washing systems not only reduce landfill dependency but also recover valuable materials, creating a circular economy by converting contaminated land into viable real estate or agricultural land.
“Soil remediation projects are inherently complex, with variations in pollutant types, soil composition, and regulatory frameworks. CDE tackles these challenges head-on by offering a global breadth of engineering expertise,” the spokesperson says.
“CDE’s vision extends beyond technology; it is about fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and collaboration. In an era where environmental challenges demand bold action and innovative solutions, CDE stands out as a beacon of progress.
“By championing soil washing as a viable, scalable, and sustainable solution, we are reshaping the narrative around soil remediation and paving the way for a cleaner, greener future.”
For more information, visit: www.cdegroup.com
