Bioremediation TechnologiesBioremediation Technologies

ENVM 644: New Technologies in Environmental Management

Dr. Robert Beauchamp

BIOLOGIC PROCESSESBIOLOGIC PROCESSES

AEROBIC AND ANEROBIC

– AEROBIC:

• MICROORGANISMS NEED A CARBON & ENERGY SOURCE.

• TEMPERATURE & Ph MUST BE CONTROLLED.

• NUTRIENTS - NITROGEN & PHOSPHOROUS.

• pH 6 - 8 IS BEST.

• NEED O2 AERATION.

• TEMPERATURE > 150 IS BEST.

BIOLOGIC PROCESSESBIOLOGIC PROCESSES (cont) (cont)

– ANEROBIC DIGESTION

• ABSENCE OF FREE O2.

• CONVERTS HYDROCARBONS FROM COMPLEX TO SIMPLER MOLECULES & TO CO2 & METHANE.

• REQUIRES NO POWER.

• VERY HIGH ORGANIC DESTRUCTION RATES

• METHANE CAN BE OF COMMERCIAL VALUE.

• LESS LAND REQUIRED.

• DISADVANTAGES:– MAY TAKE A LONG TIME.– EXPERIENCE LACKING.– DESIGN CAN BE DIFFICULT (pH = 6 - 8 IS BEST)

BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUESBIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES

LANDFARMING

– EXCAVATE OR TREAT SOILS IN-SITU.

– LINE TREATMENT AREA

– PLACE SOILS ON LINED AREA

– APPLY NUTRIENTS & TILL SOIL

– NEED 0.5 ACRES/1000 CUBIC YARDS OF SOIL

BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES (cont)BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES (cont)

FACTORS FOR LANDFARMING

– CONSIDERABLE AREA REQUIRED.

– MINIMAL CONSTRUCTION.

– MODEST OPERATION ACTIVITY

– FAIRLY RAPID DEGRADATION

– GOOD CONTROL

– DEPENDENT ON SOIL TYPE

– VOC's RELEASED INTO ATMOSPHERE

BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUESBIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES

SOIL CELL METHOD

– TREAT EXCAVATED AREA

– LINED AND COVERED CELL

– PRE-MIX SOIL WITH NUTRIENTS

– INSTALL VACUUM SYSTEM TO ADD O2

– NEED 0.1 ACRES/1000 CUBIC YARDS OF SOIL

BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES (cont)BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES (cont)

SOIL CELL FACTORS

– MODEST AREA REQUIRED

– MODEST CONSTRUCTION EFFORT

– MINIMUM OPERATION ACTIVITY

– MODEST DEGRADATION RATE

– VOC's MAY NEED TREATMENT

BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUESBIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES

IN-SITU METHOD

– NO EXCAVATION

– NUTRIENTS INFILTRATE DOWN

– AIR MOVED THROUGH SOIL BY A PUMP & VACUUM SYSTEM

BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES (cont)BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES (cont)

IN-SITU FACTORS

– LEAST DISTURBS THE SITE – NUTRIENT ADDITION EASY OR DIFFICULT– IN-SITU VAPOR SYSTEM REQUIRED– GROUNDWATER MAY BE IMPACTED– SOILS MAY BE A PROBLEM– OPERATIONAL EFFORTS MINIMAL– OFF-GAS TREATMENT ADDS COST– LEAST FLEXIBLE & CONTROL– SLOWEST METHOD

NOTE: REMEDIATION TIME

LANDFARMING< SOIL CELL< IN-SITU