Soil Mixing Technique

In-Situ Fixation, Inc.'s, (I-SF) Dual Auger® Mixing System, involves the controlled injection and thorough blending of specially-formulated job specific reagent(s) into the soil through dual overlapping auger mixing assemblies. I-SF has developed and patented specialized auger mixing configurations for various soil and mixing requirements. These configurations consist of alternate sections of auger flights and mixing blades that rotate in opposite directions to pulverize the soil and blend in the appropriate volume of treatment reagent(s). Each auger mixing assembly is connected to a separate, hollow shaft (Kelly-bar) that conveys the treatment reagent(s) to the mixing area, where the reagent(s) is injected through nozzles located adjacent to the auger cutting edge. The mix-proportions, volume and injection pressures of the reagent(s) are continuously controlled and monitored by an electronic instrumentation system. The electronic monitoring system sustains strict quality control of the reagent(s) expended, thus assuring that the correct ratio of reagents(s) to soil is maintained.

During the mixing operation, the dual auger flights break the soil loose allowing the mixing blades to blend the reagent(s) and the soil into a homogeneous mixture. As the augers advance to a greater depth, the soil and reagent(s) are re-mixed by an additional set of augers and mixing blades located above the preceding set on each shaft, it is this feature that sets the Dual Auger® apart from a single mixing blade system. When the desired depth is reached, the augers are reversed and withdrawn and the mixing process is repeated on the way to the surface. Left behind is a homogeneously treated block of soil. Each treated block of soil is composed of two overlapping columns. The pattern of columns is extended laterally in rows of treated blocks, in a repetitive manner to encompass the total area of the required remediation. The depth of the columns encompasses the vertical extent of the remediation.

If during the installation process the contaminants present in the soil have a tendency to become airborne (i.e. vapors), a hood and filter system can be added to the Dual Auger® Mixing System, therefore eliminating the possibility of contaminants escaping into the atmosphere.

Technology Capabilities