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U.S. Department of Energy
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Biological fluidized bed reactor (FBR): Emissionless groundwater treatment

Conference ·
OSTI ID:430594
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Envirex Inc., Waukesha, WI (United States)
  2. BP Oil Co., Cleveland, OH (United States)
Groundwater treatment costs in the 1990`s have gone up significantly due to the air regulations that allow minimal or no VOC emissions. Treatment for air stripper off-gas has typically been vapor-phase carbon or catalytic oxidation. A more cost-effective alternative for groundwater treatment using a biological Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR) has been implemented successfully in remediating groundwater at two BP Distribution terminals. In the FBR system, GAC is the support media for biological growth, as well as a mechanism for organic adsorption. The FBR system predissolves self-generated pure oxygen to promote the aerobic degradation of dissolved hydrocarbons as they pass through the biofilm attached to the GAC. The use of predissolved pure oxygen prevents the air stripping action of conventional biological systems. Any hydrocarbons not rapidly broken down are adsorbed and subsequently degraded. The result is a high quality effluent without release of VOC air emissions. 4 refs., 3 figs.
OSTI ID:
430594
Report Number(s):
CONF-960730--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English