What is PETROSET H™?
PETROSET H™ is the hard-matrix member of the PETROSET® family: a powdered solidification agent for aqueous liquids that blends sodium montmorillonite clay with Portland cement and related cementitious components, and the treated waste cures into a load-bearing solid.
Like PETROSET®, it is used to solidify aqueous solutions with low to moderate levels of dissolved solids, is applied with power mixing to treat sludges and particle suspensions, and — with the addition of small amounts of water — can solidify dry solids.
PETROSET H™ is frequently used in combination with other Fluid Tech products such as AQUASET II™ and PETROSET II™. For wastes with oily, non-water-miscible components, it pairs with the organophilic PETROSET II™.
How strong is the solidified waste form?
PETROSET H™ sets up to a hard matrix — load bearing strengths of over 5 tons per square foot, or 69 pounds per square inch, can be achieved.
That hard, load-bearing waste form is what distinguishes PETROSET H™ from standard PETROSET®, which likewise treats aqueous waste streams without the hard-matrix set.
What waste types does PETROSET H™ treat?
PETROSET H's recommended applications are aqueous wastes with low to moderate dissolved solids — water, neutralized acids, evaporator concentrates, and resin slurries:
- Water with less than 0.01M salts or organics — 6 lbs/gal
- Neutralized strong acids — 7 lbs/gal
- Neutralized weak acids (concentrations <0.5M) — 7 lbs/gal
- Evaporator concentrates — BWR & PWR
- Slurries — ion-exchange resins and filter pre-coat — 6 lbs/gal
Loading rates per the Fluid Tech Recommended Media and Loading Rate Guide. Rates vary with waste chemistry — use Fluid Tech's Waste Form Questionnaire and Recommended Media Matrix, or ask our team for a waste-specific recommendation.
Technical specifications
| Product type | Powdered solid |
|---|---|
| Principal components | Sodium montmorillonite (40–50%) · crystalline silica, quartz (10–15%) · Portland cement (5–15%) · calcium sulfoaluminate (1–5%) · calcium aluminate (1–5%) · calcium sulfate (1–5%) · limestone dust (1–5%) |
| Color | Gray to gray-brown |
| Odor | None |
| pH | 13 (10% solution) |
| Load-bearing strength (solidified matrix) | Over 5 tons/ft² (69 psi) can be achieved |
| Flammability | Non-flammable and non-combustible |
| Transport classification | Not regulated as dangerous goods (DOT, IATA, IMDG) |
Properties per the PETROSET H™ Safety Data Sheet (FTL-080-0007, Rev 4, March 22, 2022) except load-bearing strength, per the fluidtechllc.com Solidification Agents page; specific component percentages are partly withheld as a trade secret. Store dry — do not allow water to contact the product until time of use, to preserve product utility.
Why solidify with a Fluid Tech agent?
Volume increase of wastes treated using Fluid Tech products is typically less than 20% — minimizing volume and weight increases results in container, transportation, and disposal savings as well as reduced generator liability.
- Leach resistance: Fluid Tech products irreversibly bind radioactive and hazardous constituents through naturally occurring ion-exchange mechanisms and form inert solids — stabilizing wastes both chemically and physically, and keeping radioisotopes, heavy metals, and other hazardous constituents from leaching.
- Physical integrity: Solidified wastes maintain their physical integrity through freeze-thaw conditions and the vibrational stresses of transportation, so no incidental or free-standing liquids develop prior to inspection at the final disposition or storage facility.
- Adaptability: Fluid Tech products are designed to stand alone or be used in combination with one another — there is literally no combination of wastes that cannot be solidified.
What should handlers know?
The PETROSET H™ Safety Data Sheet carries the signal word Danger — Carcinogen Category 1A and Skin Corrosion Category 1B — with the hazard statements "Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage" and "May cause cancer through chronic inhalation." PETROSET H™ contains Portland cement and becomes extremely alkaline when exposed to moisture (pH 13 at 10%) — it can cause alkali burns, and burns can occur with very little warning, so precautions must be taken to prevent contact.
Wear impervious gloves such as nitrile, eye protection, and protective clothing; do not breathe dust. The product also contains crystalline silica (quartz), and the material is slippery when wet. If the product itself becomes a waste, it does not meet the criteria of a hazardous waste as defined by the US EPA. Full handling, exposure-control, and first-aid guidance is in the Safety Data Sheet.
How do I order PETROSET H™?
PETROSET H™ is supplied by Fluid Tech LLC, Sweetwater, Tennessee. Tell us about your waste stream and our team will confirm the right product and loading rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PETROSET® and PETROSET H™?
Both solidify aqueous solutions with low to moderate levels of dissolved solids, are used with power mixing to treat sludges and particle suspensions, and can solidify dry solids with the addition of small amounts of water. The difference is the final waste form: PETROSET H™ sets up to a hard matrix — load bearing strengths of over 5 tons per square foot (69 pounds per square inch) can be achieved.
How strong is the solidified matrix?
PETROSET H™ sets up to a hard matrix — load bearing strengths of over 5 tons per square foot, or 69 pounds per square inch, can be achieved.
How much PETROSET H™ do I need per gallon of waste?
Per the Fluid Tech Recommended Media and Loading Rate Guide: 6 lbs/gal for water with less than 0.01M salts or organics, 7 lbs/gal for neutralized strong acids, 7 lbs/gal for neutralized weak acids (concentrations below 0.5M), and 6 lbs/gal for ion-exchange resin slurries and filter pre-coat. Rates vary with waste chemistry — Fluid Tech provides waste-specific recommendations.
What precautions apply when handling PETROSET H™?
The PETROSET H™ Safety Data Sheet carries the signal word Danger — Carcinogen Category 1A and Skin Corrosion Category 1B — with the hazard statements "Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage" and "May cause cancer through chronic inhalation." PETROSET H™ contains Portland cement and becomes extremely alkaline when exposed to moisture (pH 13 at 10%) — it can cause alkali burns, and burns can occur with very little warning. Wear impervious gloves such as nitrile, eye protection, and protective clothing; do not breathe dust. The product also contains crystalline silica, and it is slippery when wet. Store dry and keep water away from the product until time of use. See the Safety Data Sheet for full guidance.
Need a load-bearing waste form?
Tell us about your waste stream and our team will match the product and loading rate to your application.
Content reviewed August 2026 · PETROSET H™ SDS FTL-080-0007 Rev 4 (March 22, 2022) · fluidtechllc.com Solidification Agents page · Fluid Tech Recommended Media and Loading Rate Guide (© 2016).