Treatment of Used Diesel Invert Drilling Mud to Remove Hydrocarbons, Fix Lead, and Leach Brine

Abstract

A sample of used, highly saline diesel invert drilling mud (DIDM), artificially contaminated with lead, was tested for remediation using ICPET/ NRC's Solvent Extraction Soil Remediation (SESR) process. The work comprised investigation of the concurrent solvent extraction of diesel oil and fixation of lead by co-agglomeration of metal binding agents. Peat, soluble and insoluble phosphates, coal combustion fly ashes, and flue gas desulfurization scrubber sludge were tested as lead fixation agents. Virtually complete extraction of diesel oil was achieved in a five-step extraction process using toluene, trichloroethylene, or hexane as solvents. The effect of the metal fixation agents on solvent extraction efficiency was also investigated. After remediation to remove hydrocarbons and fix heavy metals, the DIDM sample remained saline. Successful leaching of brine from the dried agglomerates was accomplished by water percolation through a fixed bed of the dried, agglomerated soil. The cleaned DIDM was evaluated ...