METAFIX® represent a unique treatment approach for soil, sediment, industrial wastes, and groundwater contaminated with heavy metals. METAFIX® Reagents are customized to cost effectively address even the most challenging site conditions. METAFIX® Reagents are formulated blends of reducing agents, reactive minerals, mineral activators, catalysts, and pH modifiers. Following placement of METAFIX® Reagent into the treatment zone, a number of physical and chemical processes combine to create geochemical conditions under which common heavy metals are subjected to reduction, adsorption, precipitation, and conversion to stable sulfide and iron-sulfide precipitates. These heavy metal sulfide precipitates have greater stability than metal hydroxide precipitates which are formed with traditional metals treatment approaches based on pH adjustment. Moreover, since METAFIX® utilizes multiple mechanisms, it allows for robust performance in challenging environments, with high metals concentrations, high concentrations of organic contaminants such as solvents, high salt content, or extreme pH levels.
A custom METAFIX® blend is developed based on a site’s specific conditions through a low-cost treatability study to address soil and/or groundwater impacts.
Typical Applications
- Direct push injection
- Hydraulic and pneumatic fracturing
- Direct soil mixing
- Permeable Reactive Barriers
Benefits at a glance
- The proven ability to address multiple heavy metals including; Al, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn
- Superior Cr(VI) treatment with the formation of more stable mixed (Cr, Fe) hydroxides
- The capability of treating comingled plumes of heavy metals and chlorinated solvents
- Low overall treatment costs based on lower reagent dosing rates, as low as 0.1% – 4% (wt/wt), versus other metals treatment technologies
- The treatment mechanism is not dependent on alkalinity for removal of metals, therefore not susceptible to rebound when the matrix pH returns to ambient levels