Definitions
1. Concrete Slurry
Concrete slurry is a thick mixture of concrete silica dust and water, plus other chemicals or substances that have come in contact with the concrete before cutting, coring, grinding and polishing. It is compounded by stone and sand fragments and chemical admixtures that the concrete has in its composition.
It also might contain contaminants present in the joints or the cement materials. It is essential to take into account and investigate what contaminants are present in the concrete and thus will be part of the generated slurry. This should be done before carrying out any slurry handling operation to avoid health problems for workers.
2. Concrete Slurry Management
The term ‘concrete slurry management’ includes a set of processes and procedures to be carried out when working with slurry. This slurry management plan should include slurry processing, hauling, testing and disposal per governmental regulations.
3. Concrete Slurry Processing
The term ‘concrete slurry processing’ should be interpreted as the set of processes and procedures to be carried out when working with slurry so that all the work is done safely, both for the workers and third parties involved, and for the environment. This typically includes all the steps necessary to prepare the concrete slurry for hauling and disposal.
4. Concrete dust
Fine respirable silica dust is generated in operations involving cutting, coring, grinding and polishing dry concrete. The control, collection, handling, and disposal of concrete dust is environmentally sensitive and regulated with potentially very costly implications. The most common way to control this dust is to use water on the jobsite. The mix of water and dust is what generates the slurry.
5. Flocculant
A flocculant is a chemical blend of clay and polymer used as a slurry treatment, which helps in the separation of the solid and the water. Moreover, this product is an acid, so it reduces the pH and the heavy metal in the solution.
6. pH
The pH is a measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base. Concrete slurry properties can present a high pH, which can be corrosive and hazardous, requiring neutralization.
7. Super-absorbent
A super absorbent is a water-absorbing bentonite clay and/or polymer crystals used as a slurry treatment for the solidification of concrete slurry. It can absorb up to 200-300 times its weight on water. Local regulations must be consulted before use. However, the general recommendation is to only add about 1-2% in volume to reduce handling costs.
8. Solidification broadcast
A solidification process is performed by broadcasting superabsorbent polymer on the surface to solidify the concrete slurry in place prior to moving it into a tote/bin/box. In this sense, a very smooth container is preferred.
9. Certified Testing
Certified testing includes many testing procedures which are only performed by a certified laboratory governed by regulation.
10. Field Testing
Testing is performed by the company that generates, collects, and manages the slurry.
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