Development and application of new cost- and customer-oriented solutions for in-situ groundwater and soil remediation

Summary

A German SME having a wide experience in the development of customized in-situ groundwater and soil remediation is looking for partners from industry and research to develop new remediation technologies/processes and to carry out remediation projects. Co-operation could be under a research or technical agreement. Their competencies include new biological-chemical and physical in-situ methods and technologies in combination with innovative drilling and exploration performances.

Description

A German SME offers a wide range of customized and combined groundwater and soil remediation technologies. In addition to oxidative (ISCO (in-situ chemical oxitdation), aerobic microbiological contaminant degradation) and reductive (ISBR (in-situ biological reduction) / ISCR (in-situ chemical reduction)), air sparging, tenside flushing, methane biostimulation processes, direct gas injections, pump & treat measures, immobilization processes for heavy metals and thermal processes belong to their field of application. ISBR is a classical technology of in-situ process engineering. By introducing various environmentally compatible active substances such as molasses, lactate, microemulsions, biosurfactants or nutrients (NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizers), an ideal environment can be created for biological pollutant degradation processes. The classical anaerobic dechlorination of halogenated VOCs (volatile organic compounds) has priority, aerobic remediation variants can also be implemented. In in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO), contaminants dissolved in groundwater are degraded by chemical oxidative means. For the remediation of environmental contamination in-situ methods have proven to be more effective than conventional methods such as soil excavation and pump & treat at numerous sites, are particularly cost-effective and sustainable and hardly interfere with land use.
Permeability of the subsoil is often considered a limitation for in-situ methods. The SME’s TSE (targeted solids emplacement) process allows targeted in-situ distribution of solids (oxidants, biosubstrates, supporting agents, etc.) in high quantities directly in the damage center, even in geologically difficult soils.

Effective control of environmental damage requires detailed knowledge of the relevant process dynamics in the subsurface. Degradation and distribution processes of the supplied reactants, microbial processes and migration dynamics must be precisely recorded to control them technically and to manage the applied process technology. Very often, precise process recording can only be realized using modern online sensor technology. Therefore, the SME has acquired comprehensive know-how in in-situ sensor technology. For the investigation of environmental damage the company also carries out Direct-Sense soundings with Geoprobe- sounding caterpillars: MIP (Membrane Interface Probe) sounding, EC (Electrical Conductivity) sounding, HPT (Hydraulic Profiling Tool) sounding to collect in-situ data on geological and hydraulic properties of the subsurface and the distribution of organic contaminants during the probing process. Their process engineering laboratory is focused on conducting feasibility studies and bioprocess analysis of environmental remediation projects, ENA (enhanced natural attentuation) and MNA (monitored natural attenuation) measures. In addition, their laboratory analyzes and evaluates site-specific data on microbial and chemical degradation performance as well as on process-critical collateral reactions to significantly improve the chances of success of remediation projects. Stimulation of microbial degradation is a core element of various approaches for in situ remediation of contaminated sites. The SME’s microbiology laboratory is specialized in isolation, enrichment and fermentation, i.e. large-scale multiplication of pollutant-degrading microorganism.
The SME looks for technical agreements with research or industry to jointly promote the development of new processes and technologies in the field of groundwater and soil remediation whereas the SME can be a partner, both in terms of technology, e.g. in drilling and injection technology and in terms of know-how in the field of biological-chemical-physic in-situ remediation technology. Besides, they are interested in research cooperations with corresponding institutes for development of remediation technologies and processes in the frame of a Horizon Europe project.

Advantages & innovations

TSE Process allowing targeted in-situ distribution of solids (oxidants, bio substrates, auxiliaries, etc.) in high quantities directly in the damage center, even in soils with difficult geological conditions or bedrock Direct Sense By means of direct-sense methods, strategies for the investigation of contaminated source and tailing areas can be dynamically adapted. A reduction of investigation time and costs can be achieved compared to conventional investigation concepts. Direct Push The SME carries out direct push exploratory with crawlers allowing fast and inexpensive infiltration, injection, and monitoring outlets in groundwater and in the unsaturated soil zone. Installation is quick and inexpensive. In addition, it is possible to carry out precise injections of auxiliary materials for in-situ remediation directly via the exploratory bar using special injection tips and a large number of injection points and levels can be realized very quickly. Feasibility studies A successful feasibility study for an environmental remediation project significantly improves the chances of success for the tested process and also identifies potential biological or geochemical weaknesses in a remediation approach. The SME can provide precise data for the expected substance consumption and process speed, urgently needed for a realistic forecast of remediation costs and time. Molecular biology laboratory work Their laboratory is specialized in isolation, enrichment, fermentation, large-scale cultivation of contaminant-degrading microorganisms. Microorganisms naturally present in soil samples and capable of degrading certain pollutants are cultivated under controlled conditions. The degradation specialists are selectively enriched for use in their biotechnological remediation processes. Afterwards, large quantities of these mixed cultures are produced in bioreactors and finally deployed in on-site remediation projects, significantly increasing remediation success.

Stage of development

Already on the market

Contact/ source: Enterprise Europe Network (europa.eu)