Cost-effective processes and tools used therein are described that
decontaminate sludge using remedial water in a closed and environmentally
friendly system. Typical contaminants such as toxic metals,
microorganisms, and toxic compounds are detoxified or destroyed by one or
more remedial water treatments to sludge that is confined to the closed
system. The closed system may comprise a covered rail road car, ISO
container, or other large space into which the remedial water, and
optionally, remedial gas, is applied by injection or other means. In a
preferred embodiment, water is electrochemically activated at the site of
use and injected through an array of pipes within the container. A large
variety of other waters and combinations of water, and even air treatments
are particularly useful in combination with the closed system for treating
sludge. Sludges such as dredged material, human or animal waste, and soils
or sediments, are particularly amenable to conversion by the materials and
methods of the invention into a more beneficial end use product.
