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Technology Evaluation Report: Biological Treatment of Wood Preserving Site Groundwater by Biotrol, Inc
Citation:
U.S. EPA. Technology Evaluation Report: Biological Treatment of Wood Preserving Site Groundwater by Biotrol, Inc. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/540/S5-91/001, 1992.
Impact/Purpose:
to inform the public
Description:
Biological Treatment of Wood Preserving SITE Groundwater by Biotrol, Inc. BioTrol's pilot-scale, fixed-film biological treatment system was evaluated for its effectiveness at removing pentachlorophenol from groundwater. The system employs indigenous microorganisms amended with a specific pentachlorophenol-degrading bacterium. The demonstration was performed in the summer of 1989 at a wood preserving site in New Brighton, MM. Groundwater from a well on the site was fed to the system at 1, 3, and 5 gpm with no pretreatment other than pH adjustment, nutrient addition, and temperature control. Each flowrate was maintained for about 2 wk while samples were collected for extensive analyses. At 5 gpm, the system was capable of eliminating about 96% of the pentachlorophenol in the groundwater and producing effluent pentachlorophenol concentrations of about 1 ppm. At the lower flowrates (1 and 3 gpm), removal was higher (about 99%) and effluent pentachlorophenol concentrations were well below 0.5 ppm. Review of other data provided by the developer indicates that the process is also effective on other hydrocarbons, including solvents and fuels. The system appears to be a compact and cost-effective treatment for contaminated wastewaters; it requires minimal operating attention once acclimated. This Summary was developed by EPA's Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to announce key findings of this SITE Demonstration. These findings are fully documented in two separate reports.