Control of aromatic-waste air streams by soil bioreactors
Contamination of groundwater resources is a serious environmental problem which is continuing to increase in occurrence in the United States. It has been reported that leaking underground gasoline storage tanks may pose the most serious threat of all sources of groundwater contamination. Gasolines are comprised of a variety of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The aromatic portion consists primarily of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX compounds). BTEX compounds are also among the most frequency identified substances at Superfund sites. Pump and treat well systems are the most common and frequently used technique for aquifer restoration. Treatment is often in the form of air stripping to remove the volatile components from the contaminated water. Additionally, soil ventilation processes have been used to remove volatile components from the vadose zone. Both air stripping and soil ventilation produce a waste gas stream containing volatile compounds which is normally treated by carbon adsorption or incineration. Both treatment processes require a substantial capital investment and continual operation and maintenance expenditures. The objective of the study was to examine the potential of using soil bioreactors to treat a waste gas stream produced by air stripping or soil ventilation process. Previous studies have shown that various hydrocarbons can be successfully treated with soils. The study examined the removal of BTEX compounds within soil columns and the influence of soil type, inlet concentration, and inlet flow rate on the removal efficiency.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (United States). Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 5720596
- Report Number(s):
- PB-92-144021/XAB; EPA--600/J-92/030
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Innovative bioreactor offers cleanup option for petroleum-contaminated wastes
Control of aromatic waste air streams by soil bioreactors
Related Subjects
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
540350 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUIFERS
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
CONTROL
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FUELS
GASOLINE
GROUND WATER
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LAND POLLUTION CONTROL
LEAKS
LIQUID FUELS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION CONTROL
SOILS
STORAGE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL