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Title: Thermophilic slurry-phase treatment of petroleum hydrocarbon waste sludges

Conference ·
OSTI ID:484967
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Radian Corp., Austin, TX (United States)
  2. Chevron Research and Technology Co., Richmond, CA (United States)

Chemoheterotrophic thermophilic bacteria were used to achieve enhanced hydrocarbon degradation during slurry-phase treatment of oily waste sludges from petroleum refinery operations. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were examined under thermophilic conditions to assess the effects of mode of metabolism on the potential for petroleum hydrocarbon degradation. The study determined that both aerobic and anaerobic thermophilic bacteria are capable of growth on petroleum hydrocarbons. Thermophilic methanogenesis is feasible during the degradation of hydrocarbons when a strict anaerobic condition is achieved in a slurry bioreactor. Aerobic thermophilic bacteria achieved the largest apparent reduction in chemical oxygen demand, freon extractable oil, total and volatile solid,s and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) when treating oily waste sludges. The observed shift with time in the molecular weight distribution of hydrocarbon material was more pronounced under aerobic metabolic conditions than under strict anaerobic conditions. The changes in the hydrocarbon molecular weight distribution, infrared spectra, and PAH concentrations during slurry-phase treatment indicate that the aerobic thermophilic bioslurry achieved a higher degree of hydrocarbon degradation than the anaerobic thermophilic bioslurry during the same time period.

OSTI ID:
484967
Report Number(s):
CONF-950483-; ISBN 1-57477-009-8; TRN: 97:010832
Resource Relation:
Conference: 3. international in situ and on-site bioreclamation symposium, San Diego, CA (United States), 24-27 Apr 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Microbial processes for bioremediation; Hinchee, R.E.; Brockman, F.J. [eds.] [Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, OH (United States)]; Vogel, C.M. [ed.]; PB: 371 p.; Bioremediation, Volume 3(8)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English