BIO REM^® USA, INC.

"Soil & Water Decontamination Specialists"

ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Bioremediation and Bio Rem...

                How It Works and  How We Do It

 DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGY

Bio Rem’s Augmented Insitu Subsurface Bioremediation Process incorporates four (4) steps in the subsurface bioremediation of the hydrocarbon contamination in the soil and water. This process occurs totally underground. It utilized Bio Rem’s Product "H-10™", a proprietary blend of microaerophillic bacteria and micronutrients. It does not require the addition of oxygen or oxygen producing compounds, e.g. hydrogen peroxide. The end result is only naturally occurring elements. Bio Rem’s process complies fully with the United States of America Title I of The Clean Air Act Amendments.

The First Step of the process is a detailed and accurate definition and characterization of the contaminant plume. The definition and characterization of the site gives the geology, hydrology, and gradient of the site. It also provides the dimensions of the contaminant plume. The accurate definition and characterization of the contaminant plume is necessary for the second step of this process.

Second Step of the process is to determine the Application Methodology. Application of the proprietary bacterial cultures can be accomplished in a variety of methods. If the soil composition is permeable, only borings and Temporary Vapor Monitoring Points (TVMPs) need to be drilled into the containment plume. If the soil is mixed or is tight clay, then borings/TVMPs, as well as trenching and lancing may be required. The selection of the appropriate Application Methodology is site specific.

Third Step is the initialization and propagation (growth) of the proprietary bacterial cultures. The product that is initialized and grown contains a selected range of microorganisms and micronutrients. The microorganisms are called microaerophillic" because they utilize the available oxygen contained in the subsurface soil and the groundwater. A natural water source is used to initialize and grow the cultures on site. This "Batch Solution" is then placed into the contaminant plume via the Application Methodology previously selected. The amount of culture and batch solution placed into the contaminant plume is site specific and is determined by a proprietary formula.

Fourth Step is that of monitoring and reporting. After the proprietary cultures are placed into the contaminant plume, readings are taken at regular intervals. This is accomplished by using a Photoionization Detector (PID). PID readings are taken from the borings/TVMPs placed in and around the containment plume. When the readings are below required state cleanup levels, soil and/or water samples are taken from the site and sent for formal analysis by a certified, independent laboratory. These results confirm that the site is below State "Clean-up" levels and thus "Not Actionable"

DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT

Physical Appearance - Drilling Equipment consists of a well screen placement rig capable of drilling 6 inch diameter borings. Free standing borings are preferred. Temporary Vapor Monitoring Points (TVMPs) are 4 inch diameter pipes made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with screen slits cut into the pipe. Lances are pipes fitted with hose attachments.

Initialization, Propagation and Application Equipment consists of a plastic mixing tank (500 or 1,000 gallon capacity), gasoline driven pumps, hoses, and applicator nozzles.

Unit Size and Transportability - The drilling equipment is fully portable. The initialization, Propagation arid Application equipment. likewise, are fully portable and are easily carried in a small truck.

Treatment Capacity (Throughput Range) - The average volume of subsurface contaminant plume treated is 100 cubic yards/person/day therefore, a three (3) person crew can treat 300 cubic yards of subsurface soil per day. The crew continues application until the total contaminant plume is treated.

Availability Equipment is commercially available and is field ready. One day of preparation is required before transporting equipment to the site.

WASTE STREAMS TREATED

Contaminants - A wide range of hydrocarbon contaminants treated by Bio Rem’s Proprietary Bacterial Cultures and Process. Typical contaminants include, gasoline. diesel, waste oil, hydraulic fluids, arid VOC's (volatile organic compounds; as well is phthalate esters. TCE (trichloroethylene), and DCE (dichloroethylene). Over two hundred hydrocarbon compounds have been identified as being amenable to treatment by Bio Rem's Products and Processes.

Problem Wastes - Heavy, tight clay-type soils and extremely fine sand slow the bioremediation process and require additional Application methods. Ph of soil in water must be in the range of 5.0 to 9.0. Chlorine, Bromine, and Fluorine slow the process. Heavy metals dissolved in water, e.g. Chromium, Nickel, and Copper, can halt the bioremediation process. Free metals do not effect the bioremediation process. Temperature range for effective use is 38 degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit it the area of a contaminant plume that is located in the frost area should freeze, it may necessitate reapplication of culture when the effected zone rises in temperature to the useful range. Areas below the frost level are not effected. 

Concentrations of Feed and Product Streams No feed stream is required. Bio Rem's Process occurs underground and does not require the removal of any contaminated soil. The amount of Bio Rem's Product placed is determined by a proprietary formula. Very dry, desert-like conditions may necessitate the gradual addition of water to the contaminant plume and the placement of a vapor-barrier over the site to reduce evaporation.

TYPES AND QUANTITIES OF WASTE STREAMS OR

RESIDUES GENERATED

 Gases and Particulates Carbon Dioxide is produced as part of this biological remediation process. No particulates are generated Liquids No waste liquids are generated. Solids and Sludge's Biomass from the propagation of bacterial cells is produced. When the cultures die, after consuming the hydrocarbon contaminant, the bacterial biomass degrades into natural elements which are also the result of the decomposition of living matter.

THE EQUATION       

How do I know how much to use?

Have to run labs for (Volatile compounds) pollutants. Then determine what compounds are present above acceptable limits. When you take these values and then calculate how much soil and or water you are going to biodegrade - all of these values together tell us how much H-10 and L-10 you are going to need. Soil type and consistency help us determine what method to use in order to best install our treatments.  The equation looks like this:

(Type of contamination + Level of contamination + Type of soil + Amount of soil or water) = Amount of H-10 or L-10 + Non-chlorinated water needed for mix + Product installation method.

You need to run your metals and Ph only 1 time in the beginning to make sure that the metal levels are not too high (typically any one metal should not be over 100ppm) so that they will not poison and kill the bacteria.  Also, good soil conditions should have a Ph range of 5-9.

PROPAGATION

How do I get it ready to be installed???

Propagation occurs in an above ground tank at the site. The H-10™ formula, the cultures, the microaerophillic bacteria and micronutrients are mixed with non-chlorinated water. The water will be the vehicle used in order to deliver the bacteria to the contaminated area when propagation is completed. The cultures consume all the nutrients (nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium) in order to establish bacteria cultures. At the conclusion of the propagation period all the nutrients have been consumed and only natural occurring bacteria cultures are left. The solution now meets the classification standards and criteria for Class D drinking water. Upon conclusion of toxicology testing the bacteria have been classified as non-pathogens and are typically of other soil microorganisms and pose no threat greater than that of typical topsoil when exposed to any dermal cuts or abrasions. It has been established that the bacteria are non-harmful to other, animals and plants.

BACTERIAL COLONIES

During propagation (that occurs in a vat above ground) all chemicals and enzymes used for nutrients to  establish bacteria colonies are consumed by the bacteria. No foreign chemicals or enzymes are introduced to the environment! Only class 'D' drinking water and 100% natural occurring bacteria are introduced to the environment at the time of placement. Placements are made by one or a combination of the following:

     Borings

     Slotted PVC wells

      PVC remediation irrigation systems

      Trenches

      Or other methods may be required by site specifications.

       The H-10™ and L-10™ technology can be adapted to other technologies that may be currently employed. 

           (ex: Pump and treat, Vapor extraction, etc.)

        If needed or required, Hydraulic controls can be added.

The cultures that have now been established are placed into the environment using various methods of delivery such as monitoring wells, trenches, ponds, etc. The use of bacteria and its application method may also be employed with, or used in combination with, other bioremediation mechanical technologies if applicable or desired. The bacteria consume hydrocarbons for food and release enzymes. The enzymes then provide the new nutrients to continue bacteria growth as well as breaking down chemical bodies.

BIO MASS

What's left over at the end??

The specific identified bacteria emit carbon dioxide. When the bacteria have consumed all the available hydrocarbons (food) they die off and their final disposition is that of an environmentally safe biological mass.