Nonaqueous-phase-liquids-contaminated soil/groundwater remediation using foams
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Energy Systems Div.
- Inst. of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (United States)
- Gas Research Inst., Chicago, IL (United States)
This paper describes a new remediation technology that uses foams to treat dense, nonaqueous-phase liquids (DNAPL) in the subsurface. This project is a joint effort involving Argonne National Laboratory and the US Department of Energy Office of Technology Development (under the In-Situ Remediation Integrated Program) and the Gas Research Institute (in collaboration with the Institute of Gas Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology). Foams are used to release and mobilize NAPL contaminants in the subsurface, thereby making the contaminants bioavailable. Foam is a dispersion of gas bubbles, separated by thin liquid films containing surfactants. Foams are currently used by the oil industry to improve crude oil recovery, resulting in 20 to 50% higher recoveries of oil for some applications. Foams can be designed with different phases (e.g., three-phase foams containing an aqueous foam with an organic pollutant or oil phase), wettabilities, surfactant concentrations, mobilities, and stabilities. Foams can carry different gases, chemicals, bacteria. Foams can also be coupled to and enhance in-situ bioremediation since surfactant concentrations are well below toxicity levels. Furthermore, foams can be designed to enhance bioremediation by carrying nutrients, bacteria, or specific gases.
- OSTI ID:
- 398086
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941124--; ISBN 0-935470-85-9
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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