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SOLUTIONS POWERED BY ENZYMES
How Perma-Zyme Works
An In - Depth Explanation on Enzymes
PERM -ZYME.
SUBSTRATA.. How Perma-Zyme Works
SOLUTIONS POWERED BY ENZYMES An In-Depth Explanation on Enzymes
Light Duty or Farm Roads wear quickly, even with minimal
traffic. Standard Duty paved or unpaved rural roads are
equally subject to decay. Heavy Duty roads, such as those
_ serving Open Pit Mines, Reclaim Facilities, or Garbage
Dumps, require constant maintenance just to keep them
passable.
All of this can become a matter of history provided your road
• surfaces are properly prepared. The preparation can be from
a variety of soil stabilization solutions but one solution that
will provide long term life is Perma-Zyme.
Perma-Zyme works by naturally bonding the clay particles
together to create a concrete-like surface with no
environmental impact. Some might think of Perma-Zyme as
a magic potion but one will quickly realize that it is pure
science.
Enzyme Overview
Enzymes are the product of a living organism which act to enhance
a chemical or biochemical reaction without undergoing any change
themselves. They can perform a function innumerable times, for as
long as they exist.
Some reactions proceed naturally at a steady pace, and sometimes
that pace must be increased to achieve a desired effect. That is the job
of a catalyst, like an enzyme.
Before Enzyme After Enzyme To make a real life comparison, picture your 2PM slump has kicked
in and you are dragging. It is taking forever for you to complete the
easiest tasks. You then reach for your daily afternoon coffee and then
all of the sudden you are on fire and knocking out all of your tasks. In
this example the coffee is an enzyme, an enzyme speeds up a process
and decreases the energy required to complete that process.
Enzymes are proteins comprised of chains of amino acids, generally
numbering between 100 to 1,000 discrete elements. They can be long
and string-like, and typically they fold back upon themselves in a kink
like fashion dictated by the sequence of the amino acids.
Each "kink" can happen in only one way. After a fixed number of kinks
Enzymes and Proteins have occurred, it allows an early part in the chain to lie to one (and
only one) specific portion dozens, or even hundreds of connections
further away. This is repeated as often as necessary to align unique
4 4 sections for each protein, and when they are together, they provide an
?.4IKA 11- activation site that speeds up one very specific chemical reaction and
no other.together, they provide an activation site that speeds up one
very specific chemical reaction and no other.
S "BSTRATA_ substrata.us How Perma-Zyme Works 2
Typical Characteristics of Enzymes
• They are biological catalysts
• They lower the required energy for a reaction
• They speed up reactions
• They are unaffected by that process, and can be reused indefinitely
Action of Enzymes
• Some combine small elements to make bigger molecules
• Some disassociate elements to free them for other purposes
• Some extend the function of an existing molecule
Substrate Enzyme as a Soil Stabilizer
Enzymes are always in motion, waiting to encounter a substrate.
Substrates are molecules or "surfaces" with which they can react.
Active Site Each enzyme is "keyed" so that only one substrate will fit its "lock."
Enzyme When an enzyme and substrate meet, the action is performed, and
the enzyme releases the substrate and bounces around, waiting to
encounter another substrate. This is why you do not need a large
quantity of enzyme to enhance a reaction.
For example, lab tests of a typical soil could show 20% clay, plus varied
and appropriately-sized aggregate (composed of larger objects for the
clay to attach to). For this, you would apply one gallon (3.8 liters) of
Perma-Zyme for every 160 cubic yards (122 cubic meters) of material.
This small quantity is enough to trigger the desired action and bond
the soil particles together.
How Perma-Zyme Works
Perma-Zyme increases the wetting action of water by reducing its
•.. •� + = surface tension through the use of surfactants. This allows the water
• to to penetrate the prepared layer and escape quickly. However, instead
of leaving cavities behind, it draws the water-suspended clay in, filling
Native Soil Perma-Zyme Cured Soil the voids so the clay can bond to the aggregate, which creates a very
dense and strong layer.
Increased "wetting" is one factor. Perma-Zyme then catalyzes the
plentiful organic components,forming a reactant intermediary,resulting
in an ionic/cationic exchange. In clay minerals, the exchangeable
Cation Exchange Capacity: is a cations, or its total Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), includes, Na+,
measure of the soil's ability to K+, Mg2+, or Ca2+, which allows isomorphous substitutions in the
hold positively charged ions. lattice which, in this case, allows the insertion of the enzyme.
Naturally clay particles have a negative charge in theme, while Perma-
Na+ (Sodium) Zyme has a positive charge. When the clay soil and Perma-Zyme meet
K+ (Potassium) each other they create an electrochemical reaction and permanently
Mg2+ (Magnesium) bonds the particles together.
Ca2+ (Calcium)
After the Perma-Zyme and clay soil have bonded together the soil's
properties have now changed rendering the layer waterproof, so that
it strongly resists further shrinking, or a decrease in density through
swelling.
Upon completion of the electrochemical reaction the enzyme itself
is completely biodegradable. The excess is no longer required, and
dissipates safely, with no environmental impact.
By increasing the lubricity of the treated soil, Perma-Zyme makes it
SUBSTRATA_ substrata.us How Perma-Zyme Works 3
Before much easier to compress. This close association results in a material
with very high compressive strength. Moreover, in situ testing shows
good performance in freeze-thaw environments.As the last of the water
evacuates, the particles come closer and closer together providing the
opportunity for new strong bonds to build.
Curing and fundamental setting generally occurs within 72 hours,
however it should be noted that this process continues for up to an
additional six weeks, depending on prevailing weather, and ambient
3 Days After temperature. During this maturation period the material continues to
become progressively stronger each day as new bonds are formed,
until the last of the excess water escapes.
�.. By this process Perma-Zyme alters the index and engineering
'-' properties beyond mere swelling and shrinkage, to include enhanced
shear strength, the liquid limit (plasticity vs. liquefaction state), and its
ability to conform. With the pore-water removed, and clay particles
replacing it, density rises, coherence increases, and a very stable
6 Weeks After binding is achieved. It becomes concrete-like.
Curing and fundamental setting generally occurs within 72 hours,
however it should be noted that this process continues for up to an
additional six weeks, depending on prevailing weather, and ambient
temperature. During this maturation period the material continues to
become progressively stronger each day as new bonds are formed,
until the last of the excess water escapes.
By this process Perma-Zyme alters the index and engineering
properties beyond mere swelling and shrinkage, to include enhanced
Plasticity: the quality of being shear strength, the liquid limit (plasticity vs. liquefaction state), and
easily shaped or molded. its ability to conform. With the pore-water removed, and clay particles
replacing it, density rises, coherence increases and a very stable
Liquefaction: is a phenomenon binding is achieved. It becomes concrete-like.
in which the strength and
stiffness of a soil is reduced by Enzyme Requirements
earthquake shaking or other
rapid loading. • Appropriate moisture level
• Acceptable pH level
• Acceptable temperature rangeSufficient enzyme concentration
• Presence of an adequate quantity of substrate
Chemical Bonding of Soil
While covalent bonding is the first choice for clay when immobilizing
Non-covalent bonding: is a type enzymes, non-covalent bonding is the predominant type of
of chemical bond that typically intermolecular force in supramolecular chemistry. These non-covalent
bond between macromolecules interactions include dipole-dipole bonds, ionic bonding, hydrogen
(very large molecule, such as bonds, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.
protein). In the presence of clay,these enzymes effectively catalyze the reactions
between molecules, turning them into a cementitious mixture, with
characteristics reminiscent of polymers. The mobility of the molecules
provides plasticity making the resultant new material both tough and
able to resist loading because the newly formed material possesses
shape-memory. This characteristic is invaluable for creating resilient
roadbeds.
SUBSTRATA_ substrata.us How Perma-Zyme Works 4
100 0 Perma-Zyme Requirements
90 10
8==-= 2.=3D Clay is Requisite
7D
6D--��4D percent
While we could speak of deprotonation of hydroxyl groups (OH) on
percent
-------- SILT
SD SD surfaces generating negatively charged sites(e.g.,silica and aluminum),
40 SANDY V V y60 instead, suffice it to say that positively charged enzymes are readily
CLAY CLAY LOAM SILTY adsorbed and fixed inplace primarilybythe electrostatic interactions
30 � 4�
CLAY LOAM ,o
20 .AM ®._MEufim 80 present in this substance. Clay, therefore, is essential to the process.
SILTY
10 SANDY 'LOAM 90 Clays, however, are hydrophilic by nature, therefore they need to be
LOAMY
0 SAND SAND- . ANIL 100
transformed to hydrophobic to achieve impermeability, plasticity,
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
anti-shear strength, compressive strength, and all the other desirable
characteristics for creating a durable roadbed. This requires organic
molecules to be present so that the (exchangeable) cations in the
Hydrophilic: having a tendency interlayer matrix can be replaced with organic cationic molecules
to mix with, dissolve in, or be (typically quaternary alkylammonium ions). This is how we create the
wetted by water. "organoclays" (modified phyllosilicate), composed of covalently linked
organic moieties.
Hydrophobic: tending to repel Cations allow soils to keep nutrients available for plants to grow. Clay
or fail to mix with water. has cations naturally. Sandy soil does not. Therefore this process
should not be used on soils without clay, although sandy soils rely on
having a sizeable organic component to sand can undoubtedly be a
component.
Sandy soilds rely on having a sizeable organic component to provide
the necessary cations so that plants can grow. The CEC (Cation
Exchange Capacity), or lack thereof in sandy soils, directly affects the
ability of Perma-Zyme to complete its task. As any soil becomes more
acidic, the common cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, or Ca2+) are replaced by
H+ (Hydrogen) alternatives such as H+, A13+, and Mn2+. These do continue to support
A13+ (Almunium Cation) the process.
Mn2+ (Manganese Cation) It is not realistic to think that there are naturally soils that have 100%
clay or another soil type, most soils have a variety of characteristics.
Some soils have silt mixed with clay while other soils have larger rocks
and other objects in the soil. For Perma-Zyme to be effective the
clay content or passing the #200 sieve needs to be at least 15%. It
is also ideal for the soil to have a variety of sieve sizes, such as rocks
and pebbles. This helps the soil's strength because the soil will bond
around the larger sizes and increase the cured soil strength and shear
strength.
No Rain
Rain expected within 48 hours after beginning application is sufficient
reason to stop construction. Simply put, too much water will
compromise the compaction process and turn the soil into a slurry. The
soil must have the proper moisture content. Rain expected beyond 48
hours is acceptable and doesn't affect curing, though curing continues
for a total of 72 hours after application begins.
The Procedure in a Nutshell
1. SOIL TEST: Generally conducted in a laboratory, a Sieve & Optimal
Moisture Test will tell you if your soil is appropriate as a candidate
Most common soils are good prospects. You're looking for about
20%clay with cohesive fines,for strength,and water impermeability,
SUBSTRATA. substrata.us How Perma-Zyme Works 5
and larger particles to enhance mechanical properties like shear-
resistance, and compressive strength.
2. How Much Perma-Zyme? Moderate traffic necessitates a 6"
roadbed; for heavy traffic 12" is required. In all cases, Perma-Zyme
quantities remain the same, applied at a rate of 1 Gallon per 160
Cubic yards, or 1 pound per 18 cubic yards.
3. Commence construction: If no rain is predicted for 48 hours, and
the temperature will remain above 50 °F/10 °C, excavate Apply
Perma-Zyme, in the proper dilution, via water truck.
4. Apply Perma-Zyme, in the proper dilution, via water truck
Pro Tip: Always add Perma-Zyme to the water truck after it has the
appropriate volume of water on board. This avoids having a truck
full of foam! No mixing is required.
5. Mix treated soil with a blade attachment front-to-back and side-to-
side to obtain a homogeneous mixture.
6. Compaction with Sheep Foot, in 3-6" lifts. When approaching
optimum compaction, finish with a smooth drum compactor to
complete leveling.
Science Behind Steps
Aggregate Optimum Moisture
�► The technique described requires that the soil is appropriately moist,
if-
r Z ideally 4% less than optimum, prior to the waterborne application of
- r Perma-Zyme. This described "optimum" is the level that renders the
best compaction, and the application itself will raise it to that level.
Native Soil If it is too wet,the soil must be dried before the Perma-Zyme application,
since excess moisture can compromise the product's action. It is
also essential not to pre-wet the roadbed ahead of the water-truck
• .' , . :, • application of the Perma-Zyme.
• Grading
It must be graded to the appropriate level, often 6 inches (15 cm)
in-depth for a standard duty road, before being treated with Perma-
Zyme via water truck. Immediately after application, the roadbed
should be bladed along its length and from edge-to-edge to ensure
a homogeneous mixture with Perma-Zyme being distributed evenly
throughout the soil.
Compaction
Since Perma-Zyme works by electrochemically bonding the soil
particles together, the closer the soil particles are together the more
4100.. effective the Perma-Zyme application will be. Ideally, if available, the
• i soil should be compressed with a Sheep Foot(aka Padfoot)compactor.
The Sheep Foot compactor is much more effective at a greater depth.
FEN • While the task can be completed with just a plain, smooth drum
knot eve•
compactor, it will take longer.
The Sheep Foot provides both vertical and horizontal compression
of the soil. This is vital because it removes cativations and decreases
intramolecular distances so that electrochemical interlinking can take
place.
SUBSTRATA_ substrata.us How Perma-Zyme Works 6
Due to enhanced lubricity,compaction happens very quickly compared
to compressing untreated soil,speeding up the entire process.Once the
preferred compression level is approached, a smooth drum compactor
is desirable to finish the job, and render the final surface.
Drying Time
Drying time is unnecessary, as the road is ready for light traffic
immediately once compaction is concluded and will not be
compromised. The road will continue to cure whereupon it will reach
full-strength.
Expectations of Perma-Zyme
Not a Dust Suppressant—decreases dust
The cementation of particles significantly reduces dust. No more
massive dust clouds behind your vehicle, making it difficult or
dangerous for someone to follow you. Roads behave like concrete
roads, significantly decreasing erosion.
Lifespan of Dirt Roads
Dirt roads acquire ruts, potholes, and other hazards to you and your
equipment. The same road, treated with Perma-Zyme, will last 8 to >
12 years with very little maintenance.
Repairs
If it does acquire rus or damage, reapply a dilute solution of Perma-
Zyme to unlock the bonds once again. Rework the material to your
satisfaction, and allow it to cure for 72 hours.
Lifespan of Paved Road
A Perma-Zyme base is very durable. If you elect to top it with Asphalt
or Chip Seal, that base is further protected, and you are looking at a life
span in excess of 20 years.
Conclusion
Some might think of Perma-Zyme to be a liquid form of magic but it
is actually a clear and proven science. By understanding how Perma-
Zyme works one will be better equipped when the application process
comes.
Perma-Zyme will naturally strengthen high clay soils, soils that would
otherwise be deemed unstable and or unbuildable. When using Perma-
Zyme it is vital to ensure the soil has the proper clay content to make
sure your application will be successful. It is easy to test the quality
of your soil, obtain the construction equipment, and even easier to
use Perma-Zyme to apply to make sure your road maintenance is
effortless, too.
SUBSTRATA. substrata.us How Perma-Zyme Works 7