Biophysical system treats groundwater

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Hazmat World; (United States)

OSTI ID:5916362

A 1989 remedial action and treatability study revealed substantial groundwater contamination beneath Elixir Industries (Gardena, Calif.), a mobile-home products and paint manufacturing plant that operated for more than two decades. Contamination at site included a free-floating layer of solvent-alcohol product on the groundwater table. To characterize the contaminated groundwater and floating product, and evaluate treatment alternatives, Bryan A. Stirrat and Associates (Diamond Bar, Calif.), an engineering firm, performed groundwater extraction, pumping from six wells into a temporary storage tank. Groundwater contamination was found to be high. Analysis indicated that: Chemical and biochemical oxygen demand levels were 18,000 milligrams and 8,000 milligrams per liter, respectively; Total VOC concentration measured 1,000 milligrams per liter; and Dissolved alcohol levels reached 6,000 milligrams per liter. Stirrat and Associates in early 1991 evaluated onsite treatment based on a four-month pilot-scale study. Testing indicated that a single-stage biophysical treatment process combining powdered activated carbon adsorption and activated sludge treatment effectively reduced VOCs and alcohols in the groundwater to non-detectable levels. Because analyses indicated elevated concentrations of organics, especially VOCs, the PACT aerobic system was tested instead of conventional biological treatment. Single- and two-stage PACT systems were operated in batch mode, allowing aeration, clarification and decanting to be accomplished in one tank. Solids withdrawal, re-feed and wasting were performed daily.

• OSTI ID: 5916362
• Journal Information: Hazmat World; (United States), Journal Name: Hazmat World; (United States) Vol. 6:10; ISSN HMWOED; ISSN 0898-5685
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACTIVATED CARBON
ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS
ADSORBENTS
ALCOHOLS
BIODEGRADATION
CALIFORNIA
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
REMEDIAL ACTION
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WATER
WATER RECLAMATION