Stabilization/solidification or fixation is a process for treating industrial solid wastes (primarily sludges) that contain hazardous constituents to prevent dissolution and loss of toxic materials into the environment. Most of these treatment processes are designed to produce a monolithic solid of low permeability. Some of the stabilization/solidification processes can further control the loss of toxic materials by (a) reacting chemically with the toxic constituents to produce new inert solid compounds that bind the potential pollutants into stable crystal lattices; (b) controlling the pH and redox potential so that toxic compounds are maintained under conditions where the materials have minimum solubility; (c) covering the solid waste material with a coating that does not react with the waste, but prevents water from reaching the material. Prevent solidification/stabilization systems are grouped into seven classes of processes. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach is discussed. Abstracts from technical information furnished by companies developing or marketing solidification/stabilization processes or marketing equipment specifically for these processes are presented.

Interagency agreement no. EPA-IAG-D4-0569. July 1979. Includes bibliographical references.