First Annual Southeastern In Situ Soil & Groundwater Remediation Conference

Redox Tech, LLC has developed a proprietary formulation to promote anaerobic biodegradation of halogenated solvents in groundwater. The product, Anaerobic Biochem ABC̉1, is a patented mixture of lactates, fatty acids, and a phosphate buffer. ABC̉ contains soluble lactic acid as well as slow- and long-term releasing components. The phosphate buffer provides phosphates, which are a micronutrient for bioremediation. In addition, the buffer helps to maintain the pH in a range that is best suited for microbial growth. Using a GeoProbẻ and proprietary injection equipment, Redox Tech is able to inject ABC̉ in most geologic environments, including low-permeability silt and clay. For low permeability environments, Redox Tech utilizes hydraulic fracturing.

Many common organic groundwater contaminants can be treated in situ by enhanced anaerobic processes. These types of contaminants include chlorinated solvents, some chlorinated aromatics, nitroaromatics, inorganics (e.g. nitrate and perchlorate), and metals (e.g. chromium). With anaerobic biodegradation, the target contaminants are “reduced” with hydrogen, unlike chemical oxidation or aerobic processes where oxygen is the working chemical. For optimal anaerobic degradation to occur, more energetically favorable electron acceptors such as oxygen, nitrate, manganese, ferric iron or sulfate must first be consumed. There also must be sufficient carbon source or food for the bacteria to thrive. Carbon sources can include co-contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons or natural organic matter. If these carbon sources are not metabolically available or are not sufficient, the anaerobic process can be enhanced by introducing a food source into the subsurface. One of the most effective and environmentally benign food sources are fatty acids, which are found in ABC̉. However, care must be taken not to overstimulate the bacteria, because in some instances, the desired bacteria may be overwhelmed by other bacteria (such as methanogens). This is why ABC̉ has slow- and long-term release compounds. In addition, in some instances, the bacteria that are necessary to obtain the desired results are not at the site. Often review of the site specific data a priori can determine this. In some instances, fairly simple microbiological tests may be recommended.

Because enhanced anaerobic degradation can be different for every site, Redox Tech carefully reviews site-specific data before formulating a mixture.  Redox Tech provides the added value of working closely with the client in order to help avoid costly and embarrassing failures.

ABC̉ is buffered because anaerobic biodegradation results in the product of metabolic acids, which can lower the pH and adversely affect the results. The pH buffer also is provides a source of phosphate, which is known to be a micronutrient (aka vitamin) for the bacteria.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of ABC̉ results from its viscosity at ambient conditions. ABC̉ has roughly the same viscosity as a mixture of sugar water. This means that labor-intensive pre-heating is not necessary for injection. More importantly, the radius of influence that can be obtained with conventional injection is much larger for ABC̉ because it will not become noticeably thicker as it comes in contact with often colder soil and groundwater.

New!

Through a license agreement provided by Envirometals and Adventus, Redox Tech is now the only  licensed and approved company able to add zero valent iron to our formulation of Anaerobic BioChem.

 

Let Redox Tech help formulate an enhanced anaerobic program for your site today. For more information contact:

 

John Haselow

Redox Tech, LLC

1006A Morrisville Parkway

Morrisvile, NC  27560

Phone: 919-460-0330

FAX:  919-460-0211

haselow@redox-tech.com

 1ABC̉ is protected by US Patent 6,001,252. Trademark pending

Additional Info

ABC Product Brochure

ABC Case Study

Site Profile Sheet for Cost Estimate

 

 

  Redox Tech does not provide engineering services in the state of North Carolina.


Last modified: March 04, 2008                Hit Counter