Using prototypes to enable development of commercially viable field scale contaminated site remediation processes

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Soil Remediation

Background:

• Industrial fires can severely damage soil structure, hindering bioremediation efforts.
• Solvents and localized heating post-fire create complex contamination challenges.
• Effective bioremediation strategies are crucial for industrial site restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and test laboratory prototypes for industrial site bioremediation.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the bioflushing prototype in field applications.
• To demonstrate the successful scaling of bioremediation processes for commercial cleanup.

Main Methods:

• Development of laboratory bioremediation prototypes: biopile, bioflushing, bioreactor, and slurry reactor.
• Laboratory testing achieved 96% removal of the primary contaminant, phenol.
• Field application of the bioflushing prototype in a 2000 L bioreactor, achieving 95% phenol removal.

Main Results:

• Substantial decrease in overall soil contaminant concentrations after 600 days of treatment.
• Reduction of average soil phenol concentrations from approximately 500 mg/kg to 75 mg/kg in highly contaminated areas.
• Identification of remaining solvent hotspots and subsurface heterogeneity, with phenol toxicity linked to oxygen deficit at depth.

Conclusions:

• The prototyping process enabled effective site cleanup and scaling for industrial bioremediation.
• The study provided the site owner with certainty regarding treatment efficacy and outcomes.
• Successful bioremediation led to improved environmental conditions and commercial benefits for the industrial site.