Soil stabilizer

Abstract

A soil stabilizer comprising quicklime and limestone powder, and, optionally, pozzolan, as well as methods of making and using the same, are described.

Description

SOIL STABILIZERCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 567,035 filed March 19, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to soil stabilizers comprising time and lime kiln dust, and optionally, pozzolan, as well as methods of making and using the same.BACKGROUND

[0003] Numerous techniques have been developed over the years to enhance roads by paying particular attention to the quality of roads' substrates or road base. Methods employing large volumes of imported crushed rock and / or compression of the soil substrate, for example, are frequently used to provide stable and durable road bases. Such methods, however, involve removing the offending on-site soil and replacing it with superior material, or accepting the onsite soil characteristics and designing the project to compensate accordingly. In either case, the time taken and costs to manufacture such roads may be significantly increased due to the presence of non-ideal road base and / or sub-base. The stability and durability of road surfaces may relate to the stability and durability of the road base. A road base may comprise at least one layer of material to provide structural integrity to the road surface. The road base may comprise well-graded material, such as crushed stone. The road base may be built on a subbase comprising a cement-treated subbase, soil-cement, asphalt-treated subbase, crushed stone or other suitable materials. Chemical-based soil stabilizers are known, but their effectiveness outside of the laboratory has tended to limit their utility in many applications, particularly in the construction of durable road bases or sub-bases.

[0004] Accordingly, alternative compositions and methods for stabilizing a road base may be desirable.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The present invention described herein may be better understood by reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 includes a comparison of 4% quicklime / pozzolan / GCC blend composition according to the present invention and a 4% quicklime composition and untreated on soil from Columbus, OH with untreated plasticity index (PI) of 10.

[0007] FIG. 2 includes a comparison of 4% quicklime / pozzolan / GCC blend composition according to the present invention and 4% quicklime composition and untreated on soil from Sewickley, PA with untreated PI of 18.

[0008] FIG. 3 includes a comparison of 4% quicklime / pozzolan / GCC blend composition according to the present invention and 4% quicklime composition and untreated on soil from New Castle, PA with untreated PI of 8.

[0009] FIG. 4 includes a table showing the test result data for three soils showing the impact that lime and the lime blend has on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and PI; and

[0010] FIG. 5 includes a table showing 4% quicklime / GCC blend (no pozzolan) composition according to the present invention and 4% quicklime composition and untreated comparing UCS and PI on soil from Sewickley, PA with untreated PI of 18. Liquid limit (LL) is the water content at which soil changes from a plastic state to a liquid state. Plastic limit (PL) is the water content at which soil changes from a plastic state to a semi-solid state. Plasticity index (PI) is the range of water content over which the soil exhibits plastic behavior. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) is the maximum axial compressive stress that a soil sample can withstand under unconfined conditions, meaning without any lateral support or confinement.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] All numerical quantities stated herein are approximate, unless stated otherwise. Accordingly, the term "about" may be inferred when not expressly stated. The numerical quantities disclosed herein are to be understood as not being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless stated otherwise, each numerical value stated herein is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical value should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding processes. Typical exemplary degrees of error may be within 20%, 10%, or 5% of a given value or range of values. Alternatively, and particularly in biological systems, the terms "about" refer to values within an order of magnitude, potentially within 5-fold or 2-fold of a given value.Notwithstanding the approximations of numerical quantities stated herein, the numerical quantities described in specific examples of actual measured values are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0012] All numerical ranges stated herein include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" or "1-10" is intended to include all sub-ranges between and including the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10 because the disclosed numerical ranges are continuous and include every value between the minimum and maximum values. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations. Any minimum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all higher numerical limitations.

[0013] All compositional ranges stated herein are limited in total to and do not exceed 100 percent (e.g., volume percent or weight percent) in practice. When multiple components may bepresent in a composition, the sum of the maximum amounts of each component may exceed 100 percent, with the understanding that, and as those skilled in the art would readily understand, that the amounts of the components may be selected to achieve the maximum of 100 percent.

[0014] In the following description, certain details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of various features, aspects, and advantages of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that these features, aspects, and advantages may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures, methods, and / or processes associated with methods of practicing the various features, aspects, and advantages may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of other details of the invention.

[0015] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "including", "having", and "characterized by", are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, compositions, steps, integers, operations, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Although these open-ended terms are to be understood as a non-restrictive term used to describe and claim various aspects set forth herein, in certain aspects, the term may alternatively be understood to instead be a more limiting and restrictive term, such as "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of." Thus, for any given embodiment reciting compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps, described herein also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such recited compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps. In the case of "consisting of", the alternative embodiment excludes any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps, while in the case of "consisting essentially of", any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps that materially affect the basic and novel characteristics are excluded from such an embodiment, but any compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics can be included in the embodiment.

[0016] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed, unless otherwise indicated.

[0017] When a component, element, or layer is referred to as being "on", "engaged to", "disposed", "coated", connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other component, element, or layer, orintervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on", "directly engaged to", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.).

[0018] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps, elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these steps, elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms, unless otherwise indicated. These terms may be only used to distinguish one step, element, component, region, layer or section from another step, element, component, region, layer or section. Terms such as "first", "second", and other numerical terms when used herein may not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first step, element, component, region, layer or section discussed below may be termed a second step, element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

[0019] Spatially or temporally relative terms, such as "before", "after", "inner", "outer", "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially or temporally relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device or system in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. As used herein, "top" means furthest away from the substrate, while "bottom" means closest to the substrate. Where a first layer is described as "disposed over", "provided over", or "deposited over" a second layer, the first layer is disposed further away from substrate. There may be other layers between the first and second layer, unless it is specified that the first layer is "in contact with", "disposed on", "provided on", or "deposited on" the second layer.

[0020] The terms "on", "appended to", "affixed to", "bonded to", "adhered to", or terms of like import means that the designated item, e.g., a coating, film or layer, is either directly connected to (superimposed on) the object surface, or indirectly connected to the object surface, e.g., through one or more other coatings, films or layers (superposed on).

[0021] As generally used herein, "engineering properties" refers to the engineering properties of a soil intended to civil, earth, or other construction projects, such as their ability to carry a load with no or a minimal acceptable amount of deformation or consolidation. The in-situ properties of the soil may adversely impact the success of the project. For example, the soil may be overly wet to the soil having inadequate strength to withstand the weight or load of the project. Common properties used to evaluate a soil for this purpose may include unconfined compressive strength, shrink-swell potential, Atterberg limits (e.g., liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index), penetration resistance (i.e., California bearing ratio), and moisture-density relationship. All these tests have been standardized and are published in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an organization that develops and publishes internationalstandards for a range of materials, products, systems, and services including those used in construction, manufacturing, and transportation.

[0022] As generally used herein, "aspect ratio" refers to the ratio of a particle's major diameter to its minor diameter.

[0023] As generally used herein, "lime" refers to a material comprising quicklime (i.e., calcium oxide, CaO), hydrated lime (i.e., calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2), or a mixture thereof. The lime may comprise incidental impurities of elements other than calcium, oxygen, and hydrogen, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide. The lime may also comprise trace impurities, such as compounds of aluminum, silicon, iron, sodium, potassium, chlorine, nitrogen, sulfur, or other elements. These impurities may include chloride ions, sulfate ions, or nitrate ions. The lime may be in the form of solid particles with major diameters between 1 nanometer (nm) and 1 mm. The most typical lime particle major diameter range may be 500 nm-30 microns in various embodiments. The lime may be a dry, free flowing powder. The lime may also contain some moisture as adsorbed or liquid water. The lime may be a suspension of particles in water or an aqueous solution, such as a calcium hydroxide solution.

[0024] As generally used herein, "pozzolan" refers to a silicate or aluminosilicate mineral, either naturally occurring or synthesized (man-made). It may be any silicate-bearing material that is capable of reacting with lime to set and harden, with or without the presence of water, to form a cement or concrete.

[0025] As generally used herein, "soil drying" refers to the act of removing all or at least a portion of water from a soil to reduce its moisture content and / or chemically binding water to lime in the soil to maintain or increase the moisture content of the soil without the soil becoming plastic. When lime is added to soil, it reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), a process known as hydration. This reaction removes a portion of the water from the soil, effectively drying it. The chemical interaction between lime and soil particles alters the soil's properties, increasing its ability to retain water without becoming plastic or overly malleable. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that in the process of soil drying, a portion of water in the soil via drying, and a portion of the water in the soil may chemically bind to the lime and remain in the soil thereby increasing the amount of water retained by the soil without the soil becoming.

[0026] As generally used herein, "soil modification" refers to the molecular alteration of the clay minerals to improve soils handling characteristics, its strength (load bearing capacity) and reduce its shrink-swell potential at varying water contents.

[0027] As generally used herein, "soil stabilization" refers to, in the presence of water, a chemical reaction, known as the pozzolanic reaction, that occurs between the pozzolan (found naturally in clay bearing soils) and calcium ions (Ca2+) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)z) introduced with the addition of products containing calcium oxide (e.g., quicklime). As a result, available silica and alumina found naturally in the soil, or added with the soil stabilizer, forms acomplex cementitious material that may grow in a web like matrix to further "cement" the soil particles together and continue to add to its overall strength.

[0028] As generally used herein, "mellow period" or "mellow" refers to the time required for oxides present in quicklime to fully hydrate and for adequate chemical reaction between the additive and soil to occur to achieve, for example, a reduction in soil moisture or reduce its plasticity.

[0029] A problem that needs to be solved is stabilization of weak, problematic construction soils. Conventional soil stabilizers may be used to chemically treat (e.g., dry, modify, and stabilize) construction soils. Conventional soil stabilizers may include quicklime, lime kiln dust (LKD), Portland cement, cement kiln dust and pozzolans (e.g., fly ash). Conventional methods of improving pavement subgrades include removal and replacement, or undercut and fill, of poor construction soil with better materials, including Portland cement, quicklime, fly ash and lime kiln dust, to provide better stabilization of soil. The material that is replaced in the fill may include borrow site soils or imported selects fills, such as sand and imported aggregate. Portland cement is generally used in lower plastic soils and quicklime is used in higher plastic soils. Conventional soil stabilizers may suffer from one or more of the following limitations - Woking Time: Portland cement must be placed, mixed and compacted in less in 2 to 4 hours or it will set prior to compaction and its benefits will be adversely impacted, therefore, any delay may limit its use and / or effectiveness; and Effective Soil Types: Portland cement is generally applied to granular soils due to its ability to cement those gains together to and increase the soil strength. However, as the soil becomes less granular and more clay rich, it generally requires more and more Portland cement to be as effective and often with diminishing returns in strength. Quicklime acts on the clays in the soil to produce a "cement". Quicklime also modifies the clay component of the soil to reduce its shrink-swell potential and plasticity, resulting is a stronger, more workable soil. However, when the soil is more silty and granular and contains less clay, it generally requires more and more quicklime to be as effective and often with diminishing returns in strength. Soil types may vary significantly across a job site. Having a soil stabilizer that may effectively treat a broader range of soils may desirable.

[0030] A soil stabilizer as described in the specification and accompanying drawings may stabilize better across a broader range of soil types relative to conventional soil stabilizers. The soil stabilizer may provide overall superior engineering properties (c.g., strength, penetration resistance) across a broader range of soils, even in lower plastic soils where quicklime is typically not as effective. Also, the accelerated mellow may allow the user to work faster by not having to wait as long to compact the soil following the initial application of the soil stabilizer. The soil stabilizer may have a lower carbon dioxide footprint relative to conventional soil stabilizers. As shown in the table below, the present invention uses materials with lower carbon intensity compared to lime, resulting in up to a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per ton.

[0031] The soil stabilizer may accelerate early strength development by incorporating fine limestone particles that act as pozzolan reaction nucleation sites when combined with soils of varying plasticity The soil stabilizer may comprise quicklime, finely ground particles of calcium carbonate, and optionally, pozzolan. The soil stabilizer may be used in moderate plastic soils having a plasticity index (PI) from 12-22. The soil stabilizer may comprise at least 60-90 wt. % oxides (e.g., calcium oxide and magnesium oxides). The total amount of oxides may be the sum of the oxides in each of the quicklime and / or limestone particles. Plasticity or technically more precise, liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index (PI) may be determined from the following standardized ASTM testing methodology: ASTM Designation D4318: Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL), and Plasticity Index (PI) of Soils. PI may be calculated as follows:PI = LL - PLThe PI range may be from 0 (non-plastic) to, in theory >100%, but rarely exceeds 90% in nature.A common scale used is shown below:Also, soils tend to vary on a large project and this novel blend would perform better overall across a site where the soils' granularity and clay content fluctuate significantly.

[0032] A soil stabilizer may provide at least one of the following improvements relative to conventional soil stabilizers:• Reduces or eliminates the need to change soil stabilizers and / or treatment additives due to changing soil conditions.• The fine limestone particles or dust fraction may accelerate the mellow period by facilitating the hydration process of the soil. The dust fraction may reduce the overall water demand compared to traditional quicklime, increasing the water availability to hydrate the quicklime. Also, the dust fraction, when wetted with water at the time of mixing, may increase the distribution of water in the soil by carrying it throughout the treated soil.• The particle size distribution of the limestone described herein may increase the overall surface area to volume ratio of the composition, allowing greater surface contact with water. The limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each add to the fineness of the composition, and independently have a particle size gradation 0.005 mm to 2.0 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.01 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm, 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm, up to 0.1 mm, or up to 0.05 mm. The amount of limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each independently be, based on total weight, at least 75 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.03 mm; at least 60 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.03 mm; and at least 50 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.03 mm; at least 75 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.05 mm; at least 60 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.05 mm; and at least 50 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.05 mm; at least 75 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.1 mm; at least 60 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.1 mm; and at least 50 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.1 mm; at least 95 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.03 mm; at least 90 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.03 mm; and at least 80 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.03 mm; at least 95 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.05 mm; at least 90 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.05 mm; and at least 80 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.05 mm; at least 95 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.1 mm; at least 90 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.1 mm; and at least 80 weight percent having a particle size graduation of up to 0.1 mm.• Reduces the environmental impact. A portion of the calcium oxide may be replaced with a product (limestone) that has a much lower production carbon dioxide footprint. Forexample, a lower application dose, which would reduce the overall cost and carbon dioxide footprint of the project.• Increase early strength development (e.g., unconfmed compressive strength and California bearing ratio) across a broader range of soil types, including those in lower plastic ranges that tend to be less favorable for traditional quicklime.• Faster hydration and, therefore reduced mellowing time, which reduces the time needed to place, mix and compact the soil relative to traditional quicklime.

[0033] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have an average primary particle diameter of at least 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm. In various embodiments, the lime may have an average primary particle diameter of about 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, 1 mm, or 1 nm-1 mm.

[0034] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have an average primary particle diameter of less than 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm.

[0035] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have a narrow particle size distribution, as defined by having at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of particles by count or by mass within a diameter range having a width of less than 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm.

[0036] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have a wide particle size distribution, as defined by having at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of particles by count or by mass within a diameter range having a width of at least 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm,50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm. In various embodiments, the lime may have a wide particle size distribution, as defined by having at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of particles by count or by mass within a diameter range having a width of about 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, 1 mm, or 1 nm-1 mm.

[0037] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have a minimum aspect ratio of all particles, defined as the ratio of the primary particle's largest linear dimension to the primary particle's smallest dimension, of at least 1, 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50. In various embodiments, the lime may have a minimum aspect ratio of all particles, defined as the ratio of the primary particle's largest linear dimension to the primary particle's smallest dimension, of about 1, 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or 1-50.

[0038] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have an average aspect ratio of all particles, defined as the ratio of the primary particle's largest linear dimension to the primary particle's smallest dimension, of at least 1, 1.05, 1 .1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1 .7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50. In various embodiments, the lime may have an average aspect ratio of all particles, defined as the ratio of the primary particle's largest linear dimension to the primary particle's smallest dimension, of about 1, 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or 1-50.

[0039] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have a minimum aspect ratio of all particles, defined as the ratio of the primary particle's largest linear dimension to the primary particle's smallest dimension, of less than 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50.

[0040] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have an average aspect ratio of all particles, defined as the ratio of the primary particle's largest linear dimension to the primary particle's smallest dimension, of less than 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50.

[0041] The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have a purity of at least 80%, 82%, 84%, 86%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9% or 99.99% by mass. The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have a purity of 80%, 82%, 84%, 86%, 88%, 90%,92%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9%, 99.99%, or 80-99.99% by mass. The lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan may each have a purity of less than 80%, 82%, 84%, 86%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9% or 99.99% by mass.

[0042] The soil stabilizer may provide better soil stability, soil versatility, installation, and / or environmental impact relative to conventional quicklime soil stabilizers. The amount of soil stabilizer applied to the soil relates to the amount of soil.

[0043] The soil stabilizer may include an effective amount of limestone powder and pozzolan to generate a soil stabilizer providing an overall improvement to the engineering properties of the treated soil, reduced mellow time, and / or lower carbon dioxide footprint relative to conventional soil stabilizers.

[0044] Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that limestone powder within a certain particle size distribution range described herein at an effective amount in the soil stabilizer may provide the one or more of the advantages described herein without a material reduction to the overall benefits provided from using only quicklime. The soil stabilizer may comprise, based on total weight of the composition, up to 40%, up to 30%, up to 20%, up to 10%, up to 5%, 1-20%, 8-20%, 4-10%, 12-16%, or 14-18% limestone dust.

[0045] The soil stabilizer may be manufactured at a plant or terminal configured to blend the quicklime, limestone powder, and optional pozzolan. The ratio of quicklime to limestone powder may be 55:45 to 95:5, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:45, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 91:9, 92:8; 93:7, 94:6, or 95:5. The ratio of quicklime and limestone powder to pozzolan may be 75:25 to 95:5, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:45, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 91 :9, 92:8; 93:7, 94:6, or 95:5. The soil stabilizer may be produced or purchased and available at the site where the blending occurs.

[0046] The soil stabilizer may comprise a mixture of quicklime, limestone powder, and optionally, pozzolan, having a ratio of quicklime to limestone powder to pozzolan sufficient to provide certain engineering properties, such as compressive strength, for example. The soil stabilizer may have reduced carbon emissions during quicklime production. The soil stabilizer may be used as a soil stabilizer, either alone or with conventional stabilizers, such as Portland cement, to stabilize soil, as a pH buffer of environmental waste and other materials having heavy metals fixation, e.g., drill cuttings, or as a drying agent to remove moisture from soil as well as impounded materials, mine tailings, hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.

[0047] The soil stabilizer may comprise at least one additive, such as calcium carbonate and calcium oxide, for example, to improve the overall engineering properties of the soil. Additives may include other mineral compositions, such as magnesium carbonate or alumino-silicate minerals.

[0048] The soil stabilizer's effectiveness on soil stability may relate to certain soil characteristics, such as local geology, amount and type of organics, amount and type of clay minerals, ratio ofaggregate, sand, silt and clay, presence of soluble sulfates, other environmental factors, for example.

[0049] The soil stabilizer may be useful to amend undesirable construction soils and / or remediate ash impoundments and other environmental ground improvement applications, such as brown fields, where the sequestration and stabilization of contaminates (e.g., heavy metals) is desirable which may be facilitated by the high level of oxides present in the soil stabilizer.

[0050] Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the limestone powder, although inert in soil, when having a certain particle size distribution and / or a certain ratio to quicklime and / or pozzolan, may act as nucleation sites for the crystalline growth resulting from pozzolanic reactions between the quicklime and pozzolan. The main mechanism for the pozzolanic reaction may involve the transportation of calcium hydroxide via water within the soil to combine with the aluminate and / or silicate clay minerals. The high surface area aluminate and silicate minerals are pozzolan phases, which in the presence of water and an alkali (e.g., calcium from the calcium oxide in the soil stabilizer) produce cementitious materials, comprising calcium silicates and aluminate hydrates. It is believed that any dissolved calcium ions (Ca2+) in the soil may react with the clay component in the soil having dissolved silicon oxide (SiCh) and / or aluminum oxide (AI2O3) to produce hydrated gels of C-S-H and C-A-H that may grow like crystal and cement soil particles together to add additional stabilization / strength to the soil. Furthermore, the limestone particles may accelerate the quicklime hydration process by reducing the water demand of the soil stabilizer.

[0051] The quicklime and pozzolans (c.g., alumina and silica) may react with hydrated lime in the presence of water to form calcium and alumina silicates, which act as a cement to improve the soil strength. This pozzolanic effect may benefit clay bearing soils. In addition, the up to 10 weight percent fine calcium carbonate (limestone) may react with the quicklime to provide increased soil strength relative to adding quicklime alone. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the synergistic effects of the pozzolan and very fine calcium carbonate particles may provide at least one of the following benefits:• The filler dilutes the quicklime, which increases the amount of water available (waterquicklime ratio) to react with the quicklime to convert it from calcium oxide to calcium hydroxide while providing additional space for the formation of the hydrated mineral (as the calcium carbonate does not hydrate and expand like quicklime in the presence of water), which accelerates the hydration process providing higher early strength.• The addition of the limestone "filler" may increase the probability for nucleation sites that seed the formation of aluminate and silicate minerals (pozzolanic reaction) that occurs naturally as calcium hydroxide interacts with clay minerals.Additionally, dissolution of limestone (release of GOA ions) may facilitate the absorption of the OH- ions and accelerate the pozzolanic reaction while also providing a favorable surface structure for the attachment of the crystalline growth.

[0052] The soil stabilizer may be used to treat unsuitable (e.g., soft, overly wet, expansive, etc.) construction soils. The soil stabilizer may stabilize the soil better than a soil stabilizer consisting of quicklime or consisting of limestone powder. The soil stabilizer may comprise limestone dust having a particle size up to or less than 600 micrometers at an effective amount to achieve overall improvement to the engineering properties of the treated soil as compared to using quicklime alone.

[0053] The soil stabilizer may comprise quicklime, limestone powder, and an optionally pozzolan. The soil stabilizer may provide at least one of the following benefits over quicklime:• Kiln dusts are byproducts produced without an intentional chemical makeup and are often a significantly diluted or altered form of the core production product (e.g., quicklime or Portland cement). In contrast, the soil stabilizer may be optimized through testing and trials to provide a synergistic benefit that exceeds the performance of either quicklime alone or lime kiln dust alone for most soil types.• The soil stabilizer may have significantly higher available oxide levels than most kiln dusts.• The dosage and sizing of the limestone may be selected to provide adequate nucleation points to accelerate the resulting strength developed through the pozzolanic reaction while also containing sufficient oxides to modify and stabilize as or more effectively across a broader range of soil types than quicklime alone.• The soil stabilizer may accelerate the hydration of the quicklime from calcium oxide (CaO) to calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) by decreasing overall particle size of traditionally screened quicklime fines through the additional of the fine powder, which increases the overall surface area-to- volume ratio of the quicklime to allows water to react with the CaO more rapidly; and reducing the overall water demand compared to quicklime leaving more water available to react with the quicklime.• The soil stabilizer may provide carbon dioxide reduction. As many state and federal organizations, as well as large corporations, are pushing for a lower CO2 footprint on their construction jobs, this product reduces the CO2 footprint by as much as 33%.

[0054] The soil stabilizer may provide at least one of the following benefits over conventional lime kiln dust (LKD): improved drying at equivalent application rates; improved compressive strength at equivalent application rates; and less incidental impurities, such as burnt lime (quicklime), limestone, and ash.

[0055] In contrast the soil stabilizer according to the present invention may differ from LKD:• It is not a byproduct but rather a consistent, engineered blend designed to achieve improved results for most soil types.• As a byproduct, LKD chemistry varies, sometime significantly, from one lime kiln to the next, however, the soil stabilizer has a significantly more consistent chemistry than LKD.• Its oxides are significantly higher than LKD, which typically has less than 60 wt. % oxides and more often less than 45% oxides. The present invention has at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% at least 90%, or at least 95% oxides.• The soil stabilizer may be less dusty and provide better handling characteristics (less "sticky") than LKD when applying to the ground with a mechanical spreader due to its overall coarser particle size distribution.• The soil stabilizer may outperform quicklime in lower plastic soils (soil with a plasticity index as low as 8).• The soil stabilizer may comprise limestone powder having a particle size from 1 micrometer up to 600 micrometers to produce a synergetic effect when treating most soil types as compared to traditional quicklime. The addition will be metered into the quicklime and blended to produce the final composition.

[0056] It was found that within a specific range, adding 1-600 mm limestone powder to quicklime may result in an overall improvement to soil stabilization. The soil stabilizer may comprise quicklime, limestone powder and optional pozzolan that:• is at least 10% and up to 25% (by wt.); and• calcium oxides and magnesium oxides are at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80% reported on a non-volatile basis which is the measurements excluding any volatile components, such as water or carbon dioxide, that might evaporate or be lost during analysis. This approach ensures that the reported oxide content reflects only the stable, non-volatile substances present in the sample, providing a more accurate representation of the material's composition.

[0057] Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the soil stabilizer is effective because the addition of the limestone powder having the certain ratio and / or particle size facilitates the following:It reduces the overall water demand of the additive compared to 100% quicklime leaving more water available to react with the quicklime portion of the product.It provides nucleation sites for the cementitious crystals formed during the pozzolanic reaction to attach and further propagate the soil's strength development.• Limestone production emits less CO2 than quicklime production, so its addition reduces a project's calculated CO2 footprint.

[0058] The soil stabilizer may be applied to soil by the same methods as traditional quicklime or Portland cement. The soil stabilizer may be applied in dry or slurry form, as directed, to the ground and spread evenly until the desired application dosage has been applied. The soil stabilizer may be wetted and mixed into the soil with a soil reclaimer until sufficiently homologized with the soil. Depending on the application, the treated soil may be compacted or would require a mellow and remix prior to compaction.

[0059] The soil stabilizer may be transferred into a disperser before applying the mixture to the soil. The soil stabilizer may be placed into a container or tank. The container or tank may be attached to pipes or tubing, and the soil stabilizer may move out of the container or tank into the pipes or tubing. Once in the pipes or tubing, the soil stabilizer may then exit the pipes or tubing to apply the soil stabilizer into the soil. The soil stabilizer may be sprayed onto the soil when it exits the pipes or tubing. The soil stabilizer may be sprayed onto the soil directly from the container or tank. The soil stabilizer may be applied to the soil directly from the container or tank. The soil stabilizer may be injected directly into the soil when it exits the pipes or tubing. The soil stabilizer may be injected into the soil directly from the container or tank. The injection sites in the soil may be spaced apart. The amount of soil stabilizer applied to a particular portion or location in the soil may be different from other portions or locations depending on engineering properties of each particular portion or location.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the test data shows the advantages of the soil stabilizer has on treating soils.

[0061] The soil stability provided by the soil stabilizer may relate to the plasticity index (PI) of the soil. That is to say that when a soil contains little to no clay (z.e., mostly silts, sands, and aggregates) that stability provided by the soil stabilizer may be similar to the benefit provided by Portland cement. This may be the case for most soils with Pi's lower than about 12. Conversely, when the soil has a predominance of clay, 100% quicklime in many cases may outperform the soil stabilizer (at the same dosage) because the dilution of the quicklime becomes the limiting factor in the overall modification and strength development (stabilization) of the soil. This may be the case for most soils with a PI greater than about 24. According, the soil stabilizer used for soils having about 12-24 PI may show more benefit that using Portland cement or 100% quicklime.

[0062] Each of the characteristics and examples described above, and combinations thereof, may be said to be encompassed by the present invention. The present invention is thus drawn to at least the following non-limiting aspects:

[0063] Aspect 1. A soil stabilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of quicklime; limestone powder having a particle size up to 600 micrometers; optionally, pozzolan; optionally, water; and a balance of incidental impurities.

[0064] Aspect 2. A soil stabilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer: 30-90% quicklime; 5-45% limestone powder; optionally, up to 25% pozzolan; and a balance of incidental impurities.

[0065] Aspect 3. A soil stabilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer: 5-90% quicklime; 5-45% limestone powder; optionally, up to 25% pozzolan; and a balance of incidental impurities.

[0066] Aspect 4. A soil stabilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer: 30-55% quicklime; 20-45% limestone powder; a balance of incidental impurities.

[0067] Aspect 5. A soil stabilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer: 55% quicklime; 45% limestone powder; a balance of incidental impurities.

[0068] Aspect 6. A soil stabilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer: 68-84% quicklime; 10.5-13.5% limestone powder;10.5-13.5% pozzolan; and a balance of incidental impurities.

[0069] Aspect 7. A soil stabilizer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer: 30-90%, 30-85%, 30-80%, 30-75%, 30-70%, 30-65%, 30-60%, 30- 55%, 30-50%, 30-45%, 30-40%, 35-85%, 35-80%, 35-75%, 35-70%, 35-65%, 35-60%, 35-55%, 35-45%, 35-40%, 40-90%, 40-85%, 40-80%, 40-75%, 40-70%, 40-65%, 40-60%, 40-55%, 40-45%, 45-90%, 45- 85%, 45-80%, 45-75%, 45-70%, 45-65%, 45-60%, 45-55%, 45-50%, 50-90%, 50-85%, 50-80%, 50-75%, 50-70%, 50-65%, 50-60%, 50-55%, 55-90%, 55-85%, 55-80%, 55-75%, 55-70%, 55-65%, 55-60%, 55- 60%, 60-90%, 60-85%, 60-80%, 60-75%, 60-70%, 60-65%, 65-90%, 65-85%, 65-80%, 65-75%, 65-70%, 70-90%, 70-85%, 70-80%, 70-75%, 75-90%, 75-85%, 75-80%, 80-90%, 80-85%, or 85-90%, quicklime; 5-45%, 5-35%, 5-25%, 5-20%, 5-15%, 10-40%, 10-35%, 10-30%, 10-25%, 10-20%, 15- 35%, 15-30%, 15-25%, 15-20%, 20-45%, 20-40%, 20-35%, 20-30%, 30-40%, or 35-40% limestone powder, up to 25%, greater than zero to 25%, 0.5-25%, 1-25%, 1-20%, 1-15%, 1-10%, 1-5%, 5-25%, 5-20%, 5-15%, 5-10%, 10-25%, 10-20%, 10-15%, or 20-25% pozzolan; and a balance of incidental impurities.

[0070] Aspect 8. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein each of the quicklime, limestone powder, and pozzolan have a minimum average primary particle diameter independently selected from of at least 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm, 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron,100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, and 1 mm, wherein each of the quicklime, limestone powder, and pozzolan have a maximum average primary particle diameter independently selected from of at least 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm.

[0071] Aspect 9. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein each of the quicklime, limestone powder, and pozzolan have a particle size distribution independently selected from at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99%, such as a minimum of 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 95%, or 97%, and a maximum of 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 95%, 97%, or 99%, of particles by count or by mass within a diameter range having a minimum width of less than 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm, and a maximum width of less than 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm

[0072] Aspect 10. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the limestone powder comprises calcium carbonate, lime, lime dust, and / or lime kiln dust.

[0073] Aspect 11. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the limestone powder comprises up to 10 weight percent fine calcium carbonate particles.

[0074] Aspect 12. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the pozzolan comprises silicon dioxide and / or aluminum dioxide.

[0075] Aspect 13. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects comprising soil having a plasticity index (PI) from 12-24, such as a minimum PI of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23, and a maximum PI of 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24.

[0076] Aspect 14. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the soil comprises aluminous clay soil and / or silicate clay soil.

[0077] Aspect 15. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects comprising a ratio of quicklime to limestone powder from 55:45 to 95:5, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:45, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 91:9, 92:8; 93:7, 94:6, or 95:5.

[0078] Aspect 16. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects comprising a ratio of quicklime and limestone powder to pozzolan from 75:25 to 95:5, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:45, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 91:9, 92:8; 93:7, 94:6, or 95:5.

[0079] Aspect 17. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the limestone powder comprises a particle size from 0.005 mm to 2.0 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.01 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm, 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm, up to 0.1 mm, or up to 0.05 mm.

[0080] Aspect 18. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the limestone power comprises an aspect ratio of less than 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50.

[0081] Aspect 19. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan each independently comprise a particle size distribution of at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of particles by count or by mass within a diameter range having a width of less than 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm.

[0082] Aspect 20. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects having a moisture content from 12-16 percent, such as a minimum moisture content of 12%, 13%, 14%, or 15% and a maximum moisture content of 13%, 14%, 15%, or 16%.

[0083] Aspect 21. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects having a lower carbon dioxide footprint relative to conventional soil stabilizers lacking the soil stabilizer.

[0084] Aspect 22. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the soil stabilizer comprises a layer of a stabilized road base.

[0085] Aspect 23. A method to stabilize soil and / or a road base, the method comprising contacting the soil and / or road base and the soil stabilizer of any of the preceding aspects.

[0086] Aspect 24. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein contacting comprises spraying.

[0087] Aspect 25. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein contacting comprises blending and / or mixing the soil stabilizer and the soil and / or road base.

[0088] Aspect 26. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein after contacting, the soil stabilizer is distributed uniformly or substantially uniformly throughout the soil and / or road base.

[0089] Aspect 27. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the soil and / or road base is characterized by increased soil strength, reduced soil permeability, or increased soil workability relative to a soil and I or road base lacking the soil stabilizer.

[0090] Aspect 28. The method of any of the proceeding aspects, wherein the soil and / or road base is characterized by increased soil strength, reduced soil permeability, or increased soil workability relative to a soil and / or road base lacking the soil stabilizer due to a particle size distribution range of the limestone powder.

[0091] All documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other documents set forth herein. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to this application.

[0092] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific apparatuses and methods described herein, including alternatives, variants, additions, deletions, modifications and substitutions. This application including the appended claims is therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this application.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A soil stabilizer comprising: quicklime; limestone powder having a particle size up to 600 micrometers; optionally, pozzolan; optionally, water; and a balance of incidental impurities.

2. The soil stabilizer of claim 1 comprising, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer:30-90% quicklime;5-45% limestone powder; optionally, up to 25% pozzolan; and a balance of incidental impurities.

3. The soil stabilizer of claim 1 comprising, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer:55-90% quicklime;5-45% limestone powder; optionally, up to 25% pozzolan; and a balance of incidental impurities.

4. The soil stabilizer of claim 1 consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer:30-55% quicklime;20-45% limestone powder; a balance of incidental impurities.

5. The soil stabilizer of claim 1 consisting of, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer:55% quicklime;45% limestone powder; a balance of incidental impurities.

6. The soil stabilizer of claim 1 comprising, based on total weight of the soil stabilizer:68-84% quicklime;10.5-13.5% limestone powder;10.5-13.5% pozzolan; and a balance of incidental impurities.

7. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the limestone powder comprises calcium carbonate, lime, lime dust, and / or lime kiln dust.

8. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the limestone powder comprises up to 10 weight percent fine calcium carbonate particles.

9. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the pozzolan comprises silicon dioxide and / or aluminum dioxide.

10. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims comprising soil having a plasticity index (PI) from 12-24.

12. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the soil comprises aluminous clay soil and / or silicate clay soil.

13. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims comprising a ratio of quicklime to limestone powder from 55:45 to 95:5, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:45, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85: 15, 90: 10, 91:9, 92:8; 93:7, 94:6, or 95:5.

13. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims comprising a ratio of quicklime and limestone powder to pozzolan from 75:25 to 95:5, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:45, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85: 15, 90:10, 91 :9, 92:8; 93:7, 94:6, or 95:5.

14. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the limestone powder comprises a particle size from 0.005 mm to 2.0 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.01 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm, 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm, up to 0.1 mm, or up to 0.05 mm.

15. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the limestone power comprises an aspect ratio of less than 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50.

16. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the lime, limestone (dust) and pozzolan each independently comprise a particle size distribution of at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of particles by count or by mass within a diameter range having a width of less than 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm, 5 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, 1 micron, 2 micron, 3 micron, 4 micron, 5 micron, 6 micron, 7 micron, 8 micron, 9 micron, 10 micron, 12 micron, 15 micron, 20 micron, 25 micron, 30 micron, 35 micron, 40 micron, 50 micron, 60 micron, 70 micron, 80 micron, 90 micron, 100 micron, 120 micron, 150 micron, 200 micron, 250 micron, 300 micron, 400 micron, 500 micron, 600 micron, 700 micron, 800 micron, 900 micron, or 1 mm.

17. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims having a moisture content from 12-16 percent.

18. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims having a lower carbon dioxide footprint relative to conventional soil stabilizers lacking the soil stabilizer.

19. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the soil stabilizer comprises a layer of a stabilized road base.

20. The soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the soil stabilizer is an aqueous slurry21. A method to stabilize soil and / or a road base, the method comprising contacting the soil and / or road base and the soil stabilizer of any of the preceding claims.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein contacting comprises spraying.

23. The method of claims 21 or 22, wherein contacting comprises blending and / or mixing the soil stabilizer and the soil and / or road base.

24. The method of any of the proceeding claims, wherein after contacting, the soil stabilizer is distributed uniformly or substantially uniformly throughout the soil and / or road base.

25. The method of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the soil and / or road base is characterized by increased soil strength, reduced soil permeability, or increased soil workability relative to a soil and / or road base lacking the soil stabilizer.

26. The method of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the soil and / or road base is characterized by increased soil strength, reduced soil permeability, or increased soil workability relative to a soil and / or road base lacking the soil stabilizer due to a particle size distribution range of the limestone powder.

Images