Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater

Patent · Mon Jan 23 23:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:6875670

Hazen, T C; Fliermans, C B

An apparatus and method are described for in situ remediation of contaminated subsurface soil or groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons. A nutrient fluid is selected to stimulate the growth and reproduction of indigenous subsurface microorganisms that are capable of degrading the contaminants. An oxygenated fluid is selected to create a generally aerobic environment for these microorganisms to degrade the contaminants, leaving only pockets that are anaerobic. The nutrient fluid is injected periodically while the oxygenated fluid is injected continuously and both are extracted so that both are drawn across the plume. The nutrient fluid stimulates microbial colony growth. Withholding it periodically forces the larger, healthy colony of microbes to degrade the contaminants. Treatment is continued until the subsurface concentration of contaminants is reduced to an acceptable, preselected level. The nutrient fluid can be methane and the oxygenated fluid air for stimulating production of methanotrophs to break down chlorohydrocarbons, especially trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene. 3 figures.

• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5384048
• Application Number: PPN: US 8-207506
• OSTI ID: 6875670
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540210* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
BACTERIA
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
CLEANING
CONTROL
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
GROUND WATER
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
METHANOTROPHIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
PROCESSING
SOILS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WATER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL