http://www.tceq.texas.gov A collection of photos from the Col-Tex Refinery state Superfund site. daily 1 2011-08-17T01:01:01Z http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo1 This aerial view shows the maximum development of the impoundment system. At its peak, the refinery processed as much as 13,500 barrels of crude oil per day, converting it into gasoline, aviation fuel, diesel and asphalt. The impoundments and storage tank areas were removed and recycled. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:37Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo2 This January 1991 aerial photograph shows that the Col-Tex refinery process equipment has been decommissioned and most of the tanks have been removed. Large concrete tank bases and impoundment areas are visible, but are not in use. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:38Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo3 The refinery area was chosen for the site of the asphalt recycling pilot project plant. The project was central to the source of materials which included petroleum hydrocarbon matter and recycled concrete debris. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:38Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo4 Affected soil is mixed with asphalt liquids before processing. The process allows impacted soil to be mixed and treated on site, a process that could substantially reduce the costs of remediating similar Superfund sites. In other remediation technologies, the impacted soil might be dug up and hauled away for disposal, and fresh soil would be brought in to fill the excavations. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:39Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo5 The recycled petroleum hydrocarbon-affected material from the former refinery exceeded all requirements set out by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Texas Department of Transportation for use as road base material. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:39Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo6 Following completion of the refinery area pilot project, full production began. It was estimated the tank farm project would produce at least 300,000 tons of asphalt stabilized base by the time the remediation has been completed at the former refinery site. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:39Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo7 By October 1999, trash and debris was being removed from the site surface, leaving only the raw material that was to be salvaged and recycled into asphalt stabilized base. Pipes route oil from the former impoundments to the new emulsion plant where it is reformulated for use in the asphalt base. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:40Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo8 At the completion of the 128-day asphalt recycling pilot project, 7,137 tons of petroleum hydrocarbon-affected material had been converted into 13,328 tons of safe, usable asphalt stabilized base. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:40Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo9 Colorado City and Mitchell County officials estimate that maintenance needs of County Road 260 will be reduced to once every four years instead of annually, due to the durability of the asphalt stabilized base from the Col-Tex Refinery project. The Lone Wolf Resources recycling plant partners Fina and Chevron, donated material for about seven miles of road base in Mitchell County No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:41Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo10 Liquid hydrocarbon material from various impoundments flows into a submerged asphalt capture/pre-heat tank which screens out trash from the impoundment material. The addition of water, acid and an emulsifying agent are monitored to assure consistent quality of the asphalt emulsion. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:42Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo11 A ribbon-cutting marked the completion of the Hillcrest Addition access road. Fina and Chevron donated the road base material for approximately seven miles of roads in Mitchell County. Taking part in the ribbon-cutting were Colorado City Mayor Jim Baum, State Sen. Troy Fraser, chairman of the Subcommittee on Technology& Business Growth of the Senate Economic Development Committee; State Rep. Rob Junell, chairman of the Texas House Appropriations Committee; State Rep. David Counts, chairman of the Texas House Natural Resources Committee, Mitchell County Judge Roy Mayo, Fina managers Jeff Morris and Steve Cornell, and Bill Lee of Covenant Communities, builder of Hillcrest Addition, a state-assisted, affordable housing project. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:43Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo12 Investigation of the subsurface reveals the nature and extent of any contaminants. This allows for removal of the contaminants and avoidance of future operation and maintenance costs. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:44Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo13 Twenty-three feet below ground level, the excavation exposes pockets of oil that might not have been found with monitoring wells. This exposure allows for easier access and removal of subsurface hydrocarbons. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:44Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo14 A track loader, at the bottom of the dig, provides a sense of scale of the digging involved in the investigation and removal of subsurface contamination at the site. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:45Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/ctex/photo15 Interceptor trenches capture and hold subsurface oily water. The captured phase separated hydrocarbons can be pumped out for off-site disposal. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T13:19:45Z Image