Mixture of materials and methods for soil cultivation, in particular treatment, consolidation and / or stabilization of soil

Abstract

A mixture of materials comprising a base soil with a dry weight and further comprising equal to or more than 1 wt.% and / or less than 80 wt.% coal based on the dry weight of the base soil; and equal to or more than 2 wt.% and / or less than 20 wt.% bitumen emulsion based on the dry weight of the base soil, its use and methods for soil cultivation.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mixture of materials, in particular for soil stabilization, a method for soil cultivation, in particular for the treatment, consolidation and / or stabilization of soil, a system for soil cultivation and a computer program or computer program product.

[0002] The object of the present invention is to improve, in one embodiment, a mixture of materials, in particular to improve a method for soil cultivation and / or to improve or simplify soil compaction and / or soil stabilization.

[0003] This problem is solved by a mixture of materials having the features of claim 1, in particular by a method having the features of claim 3. Claim 10 protects a system, and claim 11 a computer program or computer program product for carrying out a method described herein. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a mixture of materials is provided. In one embodiment, the mixture comprises a starting soil, wherein the starting soil has a dry weight, which in one embodiment is particularly determinable or has been determined. In one embodiment, the mixture further comprises at least 1 wt.%, or at least 5 wt.%, or at least 10 wt.%, or at least 20 wt.%, or at least 30 wt.%, or at least 40 wt.% coal and / or at most 60 wt.%, or at most 70 wt.%, or at most 85 wt.% coal, particularly with respect to the dry weight of the starting soil. In one embodiment, the coal comprises biochar or organic coal, in particular plant-based (produced) coal, and further, in particular, coal-based carbon.In one embodiment, the coal comprises carbon in powder form, sieved, as granules, as pellets, as pressed coal, as coal generated by the plant and / or, in particular, at least a portion of the coal in powder form, sieved, as granules, as pellets, as pressed coal and / or as coal generated by the plant.

[0005] Advantageously, in one embodiment, this allows the carbon contained in the material mixture to be, at least substantially, deactivated by means of the bitumen emulsion, whereby, in one embodiment, deactivation refers to the carbon's capacity to absorb water. Furthermore, advantageously, in one embodiment, this allows for the creation of a more stable and / or flexible overall surface or floor, particularly when the material mixture is used for soil cultivation or treatment.

[0006] In one embodiment, the mixture comprises at least, in particular equal to or more than 2 wt.% bitumen emulsion, or more than 10 wt.%, and / or at most 20 wt.%, or at most 30 wt.%, particularly with respect to the dry weight of the original soil. In one embodiment, the bitumen emulsion comprises at least, in particular equal to or more than 30 wt.%, or more than 40 wt.%, or more than 45 wt.% bitumen, in particular according to DIN EN 12591 and / or DIN EN 13924, and further in particular according to DIN EN 13924-1 and / or DIN EN 13924-2. In one version, the bitumen additionally or alternatively comprises polymer-modified bitumen (PmB), in particular according to DIN EN 14023. In another version, the bitumen additionally or alternatively comprises oxidized bitumen, in particular according to DIN EN 13304. In another version, the bitumen additionally or alternatively comprises high-vacuum and / or hard bitumen, in particular according to DIN EN 13305.In one embodiment, the bitumen emulsion comprises bitumen of grade 160 / 220, 70 / 100, 50 / 70, 30 / 45 and / or 20 / 30, in particular RuK (EP RuK) according to DIN EN 1427. In another embodiment, the bitumen emulsion comprises an anionic bitumen emulsion or a cationic bitumen emulsion, in particular according to DIN EN 13808. In another embodiment, the bitumen emulsion comprises a non-ionic bitumen emulsion or is itself a non-ionic bitumen emulsion.

[0007] In one embodiment, particularly an alternative one, the mixture comprises a base soil with a (determined) dry weight. In another embodiment, the mixture further comprises a bitumen emulsion, particularly as described herein, of equal to or greater than 2 wt.%, or greater than 5 wt.%, or greater than 10 wt.%, or greater than 15 wt.% and / or less than 20 wt.%, or less than 25 wt.%, or less than 30 wt.% based on the dry weight of the base soil. In another embodiment, the mixture comprises coal of equal to or greater than 30 wt.%, or greater than 40 wt.%, or greater than 50 wt.%, or greater than 55 wt.% and / or less than 90 wt.%, or less than 80 wt.%, or less than 70 wt.%, or less than 65 wt.%, based on the weight of the bitumen emulsion. In one embodiment, the mixture of substances comprises, in particular additionally, at least 2 wt.% water, or at least 5 wt.%, and / or at most 15 wt.%, or at most 10 wt.%.-% water, especially in relation to the dry weight of the original soil.

[0008] In one embodiment, when the soil is worked in situ, it is worked "as it lies." In another embodiment, the working depth can be at least one centimeter or more and / or extend to a depth of up to 3 meters. In yet another embodiment, the working depth depends on the type of end product to be produced; in particular, a shallower working depth may be required for a footpath than for a highway (without prejudice to the general public), e.g., 15 cm for a footpath compared to 50 cm for a highway. In yet another embodiment, working depths may vary across the transverse direction of the working area, resulting in a different depth profile. In yet another embodiment, working may result in deep compaction, i.e.,In one embodiment, the machining, particularly at the edge with respect to the transverse direction, extends deeper than in a section or middle portion of the machining or of the initial soil to be machined with respect to the transverse direction. In one embodiment, machining, in particular deep stabilization, can be or is carried out using a milling machine.

[0009] Advantageously, this allows for good / better consolidation and / or stabilization of a processed initial soil in a single application.

[0010] The term "biochar," as used herein, should preferably be understood synonymously with the term "plant charcoal." In one form, biochar encompasses pyrolytic carbonization, hydrothermal carbonization, or vapothermal carbonization of plant-based feedstocks.

[0011] Advantageously, different types and / or hardnesses of bitumen can be used in a single embodiment of the mixture described herein. Advantageously, this allows pollutants, such as heavy metals or other substances, particularly toxic ones, to be bound, at least substantially, permanently in the soil, particularly with the aid of this mixture. Advantageously, this allows the electrical conductivity of the (treated or resulting) soil to be maintained, at least substantially, and / or remain unchanged, at least substantially, in a single embodiment.Advantageously, this makes it possible, in one embodiment, to ensure that the pH value of the (resulting) soil, in particular in relation to the original soil, is at least substantially not changed by the (produced) mixture of substances, especially when using a cationic, anionic or non-ionic bitumen emulsion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the coal contains biochar or consists, at least substantially, of biochar. In one embodiment, the bitumen emulsion is cationic, anionic, or nonionic. In one embodiment, the coal contains at least 60% carbon.

[0013] Advantageously, in one embodiment, this allows the mixture to be CO2-negative, so that, in another embodiment, CO2 is reduced by the CO2 sink provided by the mixture, particularly with regard to the manufacturing and / or incorporation process of the mixture. In another embodiment, the mixture is advantageously eligible for CO2 certification, particularly through the use of biochar.

[0014] In one embodiment, the bitumen emulsion comprises 30% or more by weight, or more than 45% by weight and / or less than 60% by weight, or less than 80% by weight of bitumen. In another embodiment, the remainder of the bitumen emulsion consists of water. In another embodiment, the bitumen emulsion is additionally or alternatively cationic, nonionic, or anionic.

[0015] Advantageously, in one embodiment, this has, at least substantially, no influence on a pH value determined in the original soil (previously), and in particular, at least substantially, no influence on a pH value of the resulting or treated soil.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for soil cultivation, in particular for the treatment, consolidation, and / or stabilization of (initial) soil, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes determining the soil properties, in particular according to DIN EN 13286-2, and further, in particular, determining, in particular by means of laboratory tests, a reference dry density and / or a water content, in particular by means of a Proctor test, of the soil to be treated or the initial soil. In one embodiment, at least one of the grain size, moisture content, and / or bearing capacity is determined when determining the soil properties; in particular, a determined soil property describes at least one of the grain size, moisture content, and / or bearing capacity, or at least one value of grain size, moisture content, and / or bearing capacity.In one embodiment, determining soil properties involves weighing a portion, particularly a predetermined portion, of a sample of soil, especially 1.0 kg or the like. In another embodiment, determining soil properties involves compacting the weighed sample of soil, particularly to produce test cubes. In another embodiment, determining soil properties involves heating, particularly a predetermined portion, in an oven. In another embodiment, determining soil properties involves (re)weighing the portion of the sample of soil dried by heating, so that, in another embodiment, the moisture content of the portion can be determined. In another embodiment, the method involves determining the composition of a mixture of substances, as described herein, particularly based on the determined soil properties.In one embodiment, determining the composition of a mixture involves producing samples with a variation, particularly within 5 wt.% or within 10 wt.% or the like, of the mixture. In another embodiment, determining the composition of a mixture is based on a determined intersection of a moisture content curve and a compressive strength curve over the variation of the produced samples. In another embodiment, the method involves producing a mixture based on the determined composition of the mixture. In yet another embodiment, the method involves treating the initial soil using the produced mixture.

[0017] Advantageously, this method, in one embodiment, enables the simpler and, in particular, more efficient processing, especially treatment, compaction, and / or stabilization of a given soil. Advantageously, this method, in one embodiment, enables the achievement of a more defined result, especially compared to the prior art, particularly with regard to the strength and / or load-bearing capacity of the resulting soil. Furthermore, it is advantageously possible, in one embodiment, to determine a more optimal mixture of materials for the respective given soil, particularly such that more optimal compaction and / or stabilization is achieved.

[0018] In one embodiment, the process involves using the produced mixture of materials, in particular for the treatment of the soil, especially the original soil.

[0019] Advantageously, this makes it possible, in one embodiment, to remove heavy metals, such as in particular arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, mercury, thallium, zinc, hydrocarbons (C10-C22), hydrocarbons (C10-C40) and / or benzo(a)pyrene, or the like; and / or environmentally harmful substances, such as in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list, furthermore in particular naphthalene, acenaphtylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benuo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indene (1,2,3-cd-)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and / or PCBs (congeners according to DIN 51527), such as in particular trichlorobiphenyl, tetrachlorobiphenyl, or the like, which are bound or can be bound in the (resulting) soil, especially when the mixture is used, and are, at least substantially, not leached out.In one version, the mixture of substances used sets by the evaporation of the water contained in the treated soil.

[0020] In one embodiment, the in-situ production process involves sprinkling the coal component of the mixture onto the soil to be treated, particularly the original soil. In another embodiment, the in-situ production process involves mixing or blending the bitumen emulsion component of the mixture, particularly the bitumen component and the water component of the bitumen emulsion, with the sprinkling of the coal component and the soil to be treated or the original soil.

[0021] Advantageously, in one embodiment, this makes it possible to ensure that the electrical conductivity of the treated soil or the resulting soil remains essentially the same with the help of the mixture of materials, and in particular does not lead to a change in the electrical conductivity of the existing soil.

[0022] In one embodiment, the mixture described herein is or can be produced in situ. Alternatively or additionally, the mixture described herein can be produced in a production facility, particularly a dedicated one, and in particular, stored there. In one embodiment, the mixture produced in a production facility can be added to a starting substrate or used as the resulting substrate.

[0023] Advantageously, this makes it possible, in one embodiment, for the mixture of substances described herein, in particular the process described herein, to be used or to be used or to be used in water protection areas, in particular of most or, at least essentially, all classes, and especially also in water catchment areas.

[0024] In one embodiment, the manufacturing process, particularly in a dedicated production facility, involves storing the manufactured material mixture.

[0025] Advantageously, in one embodiment, the mixture of materials and / or the, in particular, the finished soil mixture can be stored, at least substantially, before installation; in particular, the resulting mixture of materials can be stored for a comparatively long period, in particular one, two or more years, and in particular can be produced one, two or more years before installation.

[0026] In one embodiment, the production of the mixture includes, in particular, the additional introduction of water into the mixture, especially to modify the Proctor properties or the flow behavior of the mixture. In another embodiment, the mixture has a Proctor density that allows it to be filled into boreholes, or is filled into boreholes or the like.

[0027] Advantageously, this allows, in one version, the material mixture to be used for filling boreholes.

[0028] In one embodiment, the use of the manufactured material mixture involves compaction and / or leveling, in particular smoothing and / or profiling, of the manufactured material mixture. In one embodiment, a roller and / or compaction device is used for this purpose, which is specifically designed for compaction and / or leveling, in particular smoothing and / or profiling.

[0029] The term “soil stabilization,” as used herein, generally refers to techniques aimed at modifying the physical and / or chemical properties of soils to increase their bearing capacity and stability. This can be achieved through various methods, including, in particular, the addition of binders that are (or can be) mixed into the soil to improve the bonding between soil particles, such as by means of a mixture of materials described herein; mechanical stabilization, such as compaction or mixing, can increase stability; and / or the use of geosynthetics.

[0030] The term "soil stabilization," as used herein, generally refers to processes aimed at increasing the density and strength of the soil. This is usually achieved through physical methods, such as compaction; injection; and / or thermal and / or chemical processes, which are (or may be) used to modify the structure of the soil, particularly through the use of the mixture of materials described herein.

[0031] Both “soil stabilization” and “soil hardening” are commonly used for preparing building sites and / or improving the load-bearing capacity of soils.

[0032] Typically or in one embodiment, a method which in particular includes a method for soil stabilization and / or a method for soil consolidation includes at least one of: - Soil investigation, in particular using a geotechnical investigation of the soil, further in particular to determine / ascertain properties of the soil, such as in particular grain size, moisture content and / or bearing capacity; - The selection of a method, in particular based on the results of the soil investigation, allows for the selection of the appropriate stabilization method. This may, in one instance, include mechanical, chemical and / or thermal processes; - Preparation of the soil, in particular by preparing the soil, especially by loosening the soil and / or, at least substantially, by removing unwanted materials, such as organic matter or the like; - Addition of binders, in particular by, and especially uniformly, mixing or blending of, and especially selected, binders into the soil to be stabilized and / or into the soil to be consolidated, in particular by adding a mixture of substances described herein and / or by using the mixture of substances described herein as treated soil. This can be carried out, in one embodiment, by various techniques, such as, in particular, mixing with special machines and / or by spraying; - Mixing and / or compaction, particularly after the addition of binder(s), especially a mixture of materials described herein, the soil is usually mixed to ensure a homogeneous mixture. Subsequently, in one embodiment, the soil is compacted, particularly to increase the stability of the (resulting) soil; and / or - Curing: Depending on the binder used, a curing time may be required during which the soil reaches its final strength; on.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a soil cultivation system is provided which is configured and / or comprises a method described herein: Means for determining soil properties; means for determining the composition of a mixture of substances or the composition of a mixture of substances as described herein; and / or means for producing a mixture of substances based on the determined composition of the mixture of substances.

[0034] Advantageously, in one embodiment, this allows the carbon included in the mixture to be deactivated, in particular such that the carbon does not absorb or release water, at least substantially. Advantageously, in one embodiment, this allows additional water, especially from rain or other sources, to have no effect on the achievable or subsequent strength. In conventional mixtures, water typically has a significant impact on the final strength compared to the present invention.

[0035] A means according to the present invention can be configured as hardware and / or software, in particular comprising at least one processing unit, preferably a microprocessor unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like, preferably connected to a storage and / or bus system via data or signals, and / or comprising one or more programs or program modules. The processing unit can be configured to execute instructions implemented as a program stored in a storage system, to acquire input signals from a data bus, and / or to output signals to a data bus. A storage system can comprise one or more, in particular different, storage media, in particular optical, magnetic, solid-state, and / or other non-volatile media. The program can be configured to embody the methods described herein.is capable of executing, so that the processing unit can carry out the steps of such procedures and thus, in particular, operate or monitor the system.

[0036] A computer program product may, in one embodiment, include a storage medium, in particular a computer-readable and / or non-volatile medium, for storing a program or instructions, or with a program or instructions stored thereon. In one embodiment, the execution of this program or these instructions by a system or a controller, in particular a computer or an arrangement of several computers, causes the system or the controller, in particular the computer(s), to execute a procedure described herein or one or more of its steps, or the program or instructions are configured for this purpose.

[0037] In one embodiment, one or more, in particular all, steps of the procedure are fully or partially computer-implemented, or one or more, in particular all, steps of the procedure are fully or partially automated, in particular by the system or its means.

[0038] The features and / or advantages described in relation to one embodiment of the invention also apply accordingly to further embodiments of the invention and / or combinations of embodiments described herein, in particular unless this is expressly excluded or is technically impossible.

[0039] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments. These are shown, in part schematically: Fig. 1: a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2: a method according to an embodiment of the present invention as a block diagram.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows a procedure according to one execution. In this case, Fig. 1A shows a soil which, in one embodiment, has a predetermined volume to be processed. In one embodiment, the predetermined volume depends on a load-bearing capacity to be achieved. In another embodiment, a predetermined part of an initial soil is selected, in particular to determine the soil properties of that part of the initial soil. This is shown in Fig. 1A is represented by the box schematically depicted in 2D, which is in Fig. 1A comprises a portion of a source soil (continued by the line shown). Based on data obtained regarding the properties of the (source) soil, in particular using a measuring device set up for this purpose, the data describe, in one version, the properties of the soil sample or the portion of the (source) soil that was used or, in one version, selected for determining the soil properties. Fig. Figure 1B schematically illustrates an in-situ production process for a mixture of substances described herein. In particular, after determining the soil composition, the determined proportion of coal is spread onto the initial soil to be treated. Fig. 1B is schematically represented by the black layer on the ground surface. Fig. 1C describes a method for producing the mixture, which, in one embodiment, is produced by mixing and / or incorporating the coal layer into the (initial) soil with the addition of the determined proportion of bitumen emulsion and, in another embodiment, with the additional addition of water. The produced mixture "hardens" in one embodiment, in particular through the evaporation of the (additional) water from the mixture. The inventors have found that, surprisingly, a CO2-negative soil stabilization or soil hardening can be achieved, which, in one embodiment, forms a soil covering or...a processed soil that, at least substantially, does not absorb and / or release water, in particular does not substantially alter the chemical composition of an existing soil, especially the pH value of the existing soil; and / or does not substantially alter the electrical conductivity of the existing soil or leaves it unchanged, at least substantially.

[0041] Fig.Figure 2 schematically shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the process described herein. S10 represents the determination of soil properties, S20 the determination of a mixture composition or the composition of a mixture described herein. S30 represents the production of the determined mixture. The process or its steps can be repeated in one embodiment, in particular as often as desired, until, in one embodiment, a predetermined initial soil is transformed into the soil to be produced (represented by the arrow).

[0042] In the present disclosure, "has an X" does not generally imply an exhaustive list, but is a shorthand for "has at least one X" and also includes "has two or more X" as well as "has Y in addition to X". Although exemplary implementations were explained in the preceding description, it should be noted that a multitude of variations are possible. Furthermore, it should be noted that the exemplary implementations are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection, applications, or structure in any way.Rather, the preceding description provides the skilled person with a guide for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby various modifications, particularly with regard to the function and arrangement of the described components, can be made without leaving the scope of protection as defined by the claims and these equivalent combinations of features. Reference symbol list 1 Starting floor 2. Carbon content of the determined mixture 3 manufactured fabric mixture S10 Determining soil properties S20 Determining the composition of a mixture S30 Production of the determined substance mixture

Claims

[1] Mixture (3) comprising a base soil (1) with a dry weight and further comprising: equal to or greater than 1 wt.% and / or less than 80 wt.% coal based on the dry weight of the original soil; and equal to or greater than 2 wt.% and / or less than 20 wt.% bitumen emulsion based on the dry weight of the original soil. [2] Mixture (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the coal contains or consists of biochar, and / or that the bitumen emulsion contains 45% or more by weight of bitumen; and / or that the bitumen emulsion is cationic or anionic. [3] Methods for soil cultivation, in particular for the treatment, consolidation and / or stabilization of soil, comprising: - Determining (S10) the soil properties of the original soil, - Determining (S20) a mixture composition according to one of the two preceding claims 1 or 2, based on the determined soil properties; - Production (S30) of a mixture (3) based on the determined mixture composition. [4] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the process further involves the use of the produced mixture of materials (3), in particular for soil consolidation and / or soil stabilization. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized by , that the production (S30) of the produced mixture (3) takes place in situ. [6] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the production (S30) in situ involves sprinkling the coal content of the mixture (2) onto the initial soil (1) and furthermore mixing the bitumen content and the water content of the bitumen emulsion content of the mixture (3) with the sprinkled coal and the initial soil. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized by , that the production (S30) of the mixture (3) takes place in a, in particular dedicated, manufacturing facility, and / or wherein the production (S30) includes storage of the produced mixture (3). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 6, characterized by , that the manufacturing (S30) includes an additional introduction of water into the mixture (3). [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 7, characterized by, that the use of the manufactured mixture (3) includes compacting and / or leveling, in particular smoothing and / or profiling, the manufactured mixture (3). [10] Soil cultivation system which is set up and / or includes: for carrying out a method according to any of the preceding claims: - Means for determining (S10) soil conditions; - Means for determining (S20) the composition of a mixture of substances; and - Means for making (S30) a mixture of substances (3). [11] Computer program or computer program product, wherein the computer program or computer program product contains instructions stored on a computer-readable and / or non-volatile storage medium which, when executed by one or more computers or a system according to claim 10, cause the computer(s) or system to perform a method according to any one of claims 3 to 9.

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