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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
AUGUST
2015
Spill Tech is probably the largest bioremedi-
ation specialist in Africa in terms of project
scale, working on sites that can range from
10 m³ up to 10 000 m³ and beyond.
“Typically following a spill, a geo-hydrol-
ogist will carry out core sampling, as well as
mapping of the plume of the product and
then together with Spill Tech will formulate
a bioremediation process,” says Boyce. “This
will also determine the depth of the excava-
Current units in Spill Tech’s earthmoving fleet
comprise Cat 428F backhoe loaders, a Cat
CS533E vibratory soil compactor, and latest
generation Cat 320D2 L hydraulic excava-
tors. Spill Tech has also developed a rapid
mobilisation solution in the form of a truck
transported specialised trailer design that
carries a Cat 428F as well as skips, which is
available 24/7, nationwide.
Weighing in at 10 840 kg, the Cat CS533E
is powered by a Cat 3054C engine generating
a gross power of 97 kW. Spill Tech identified
this unit as the optimal choice to achieve
specified compaction densities on treated
ground. The maximum and minimum centrif-
ugal force is 234 kN and 133 kN respectively,
with a nominal amplitude, high and low, of
1,8 mm and 0,85 mm at a standard vibratory
frequency of 31/34 Hz.
From a mass excavation perspective,
Cat 320D2 L units supplied into the Southern
African market come standard with a long
undercarriage configuration, with an
approximate maximum operating weight
of 22,4 tonnes. Net power output is 98 kW,
generated by a Cat C7.1 engine.
“Boom and stick regeneration circuits
save energy during boom-down and stick-in
operation, which increases efficiency, reduces
cycle times and pressure loss for higher
productivity, lower operating costs, and
increased fuel efficiency,” explains Barlow-
orld Equipment Durban Cat sales profes-
sional, Egon Muller, highlighting key product
features. Barloworld Equipment is the Cat
dealer for Southern Africa.
A wide range of buckets are available,
either pin-on or coupler-type, along with
a selection of ground engaging tools to
match the machine to its digging environ-
ment. Coupler options include Caterpillar’s
Centre-Lock™ Pin Grabber, which enables the
operator to make fast in-cab work
tool interchanges.
“Spill Tech’s operations are capital
intensive and fast-paced, so we researched
the market extensively before deciding to
standardise on Cat machines for our biore-
mediation projects. Performance to date
has met our exacting output requirements,”
adds Boyce, “as we progressively expand our
footprint in this niche segment across South
Africa, as well as Southern African.”
ABOVE LEFT:
Spill Tech teams responding to an oil tanker spill.
ABOVE RIGHT:
Spill Tech is probably the
largest bioremediation specialist in Africa in terms of project scale, working on sites that can range from
10 m³ up to 10 000 m³ and beyond.
“Spill Tech’s operations are
capital intensive and fast-
paced, so we researched the
market extensively before
deciding to standardise
on Cat machines for our
bioremediation projects.”
tions, which in the past have gone as deep as
18 m on some projects.”
While spill impacts may appear irrevers-
ible, many potentially harmful compounds
can be efficiently broken down through
bioremediation. In a typical working applica-
tion, the contaminated soil is excavated and
housed in geotechnical cells, or biopiles – that
need constant forced aeration – after
which the remediated material is backfilled
into the previously contaminated section
and compacted.
A major factor is the management and
prevention of cross contamination, taking
into account ground water sources, as well as
nearby streams, rivers or reservoirs.
Biozorb
One of Spill Tech’s intervention measures for
the effective absorption of hydrocarbon spills
is Biozorb, a revolutionary oil and hydro-
carbon absorbent made from premium Cana-
dian sphagnum peat moss. The high grade
material is harvested and dehydrated through
a unique proprietary steam process, which
gives it unparalleled absorption capacities
through a wicking or hydraulic action.
For example, one kilogramme of product
absorbs up to 10 litres of oil.
Biozorb will absorb hydrocarbons and
can be utilised as a vapour suppressant. It can
be used on land or water and is hydrophobic.
Biozorb meets sanitary landfill disposal
requirements according to EPA regulations.
“Safe and easy to apply, Biozorb is also
simple to dispose of with up to 20 times less
landfill volume compared to current standard
absorbents,” Boyce explains.
Cat earthmoving fleet
In the bioremediation scenario, Spill Tech
deploys a comprehensive Cat earthmoving
fleet to carry out mechanised solutions on
larger-scale sites that have been contami-
nated. Smaller scale bioremediation projects
are dealt with traditionally by a deployed
work crew.