Treatability Study &
Laboratory Services

Since 1989, Sevenson has performed in-house treatability studies at its state-of-the-art environmental laboratory. With extensive chemical and biological expertise in hazardous waste remediation science, Sevenson’s lab staff develops new treatment techniques and reviews proposed treatment methodologies. These treatment methods are regularly incorporated into full-scale applications at active remediation sites managed by Sevenson.

Through treatability studies, project schedules may be condensed at reduced costs as well as enable Sevenson to engineer complete dredging, dewatering, wastewater treatment, and stabilization/solidification systems. Components of the treatability study include the following evaluations:

Viability Study

• Demonstrates capacity to treat waste
• Often suitable for full-scale budget estimates
• Letter summarizing study result is the standard reporting mechanism

Bench-Scale Study

• Optimizes a treatment process to representative site samples
• Typically satisfies regulatory agency, client, and consultant concerns regarding technology’s capacity to effectively treat site material
• Utilizes USEPA QA/QC Level II analytical procedures
• Allows for full-scale bid estimating
• Variety of available reporting formats

Engineering-Scale Study

• Replicates optimized bench-scale process results on enlarged sample quantity
• Further addresses client, consultant, and/or regulatory agency needs
• Variety of reporting formats available

Pilot-Scale Study

• Conducted on the site with down-scaled processing equipment
• Helpful for evaluating customized material handling methods for varied waste consistencies and characteristics
• Useful in gaining regulatory acceptance of the process
• May be required for large-scale projects
• Not recommended for small- to mid-size projects due to cost considerations
• Not required for Sevenson to develop full-scale cost proposals
• Full-scale optimization is generally preferred over pilot-scale studies