As we come to better understand the environmental impacts of our actions, new regulations come about to promote a healthier and cleaner tomorrow. Remediation efforts are an important part of this process, giving special attention to ways we can stop the spread of pollution in both soil and water. One such example is a recent stabilization project at an oil refinery site in the heart of Texas.

Waste Clay Pile History

Under continuous operation since the early 1900s, the oil refinery site includes a solid waste management unit (SWMU) that operated from 1947 to 1977. The SWMU covers approximately 56 acres and contains 530,000 cubic yards of waste. It was categorized as a waste clay pile, including contaminants such as chromium, lead, and benzene. The site was included in the refinery’s hazardous waste permit, following regulations at the time. Closure of the SWMU was required by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Kleinfelder was engaged to design and manage the construction of the waste clay pile stabilization and capping project while maintaining regulatory compliance for the successful closure of the SWMU.

Site Stabilization and Environmental Considerations

The plan to close the SWMU site included vegetation clearing, in-situ stabilization/solidification, surface water drainage improvements, and a soil cap with vegetative cover. To achieve these results, more than 55,000 cubic yards of material were moved for grading purposes, and 25,000 cubic yards of topsoil was added across 26 acres. The reuse of more than 50,000 cubic yards of material for cap material, along with the fueling of trucks on-site at the refinery, helped to keep more than 2,300 trips with heavy trucks off the neighboring roads. Through sustainability initiatives and careful planning, more than 44 metric tons of CO2 were avoided. To help stabilize the soils, 707 ISS columns were installed, with each measuring 4 feet wide and 19 feet deep.

Throughout the life of the project, safety remained a top priority due to the number of construction professionals on-site and the general working conditions. Kleinfelder helped to onboard 87 construction professionals, who logged more than 73,000 hours worked. The project recorded zero significant findings in an external assessment, as well as zero site security incidents.

Project Results

The solid waste management unit at the oil refinery is closed and the completion report has been approved by the regulatory agency. This project closed out with zero recordable injuries and zero site security incidents, demonstrating Kleinfelder’s commitment to safe work. Working closely with project stakeholders, there was also no impact to the refinery’s turnaround times or production.

Project Details

Location:
Texas
Owner:
Confidential