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Anaerobic Biodegradation of Biofuels (Ethanol and Biodiesel) and Proposed Biofuels (n-Propanol, iso-Propanol, n-Butanol, and 2,5-Dimethylfuran) in Aquifer Sediments
Citation:
ADAIR, C. J. AND J. T. WILSON. Anaerobic Biodegradation of Biofuels (Ethanol and Biodiesel) and Proposed Biofuels (n-Propanol, iso-Propanol, n-Butanol, and 2,5-Dimethylfuran) in Aquifer Sediments. Presented at 21st Annual National Tanks Conference and Expo, Sacramento, CA, March 30 - April 01, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
to understand the fate The purpose is to understand the fate of the materials being used to make biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, if these substances are released from underground storage tank systems.
Description:
Biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are a growing component of the nation’s fuel supply. Ethanol is the primary biofuel in the US market, distributed as a blend with petroleum gasoline, in concentrations ranging from 10% ethanol (E10) to 85% ethanol (E85). Biodiesel, made from soybean oil or other vegetable oils or from waste cooking fats, is also available in the US market. Other compounds including n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, 2,5-dimethylfuran have been proposed as biofuels, but at present have not achieved an important share of the US market. With increasing use of biofuels, ethanol in particular, in the fuel supply nationwide, and increases in the number of stations that sell gasoline that contains more than 10% ethanol, U.S. EPA needs to understand the fate of these materials if they are released from underground storage tank systems. U.S. EPA/ORD/NRMRL has constructed a microcosm study to follow the anaerobic biodegradation of these biofuels in aquifer sediment from two sites: an old methanogenic fuels spill site in North Carolina, and a spill of biodiesel in Minnesota. The study will follow the consumption of the biofuels, and concomitant consumption of sulfate and production of methane during anaerobic biodegradation of the biofuels. The study will also follow the effect of biofuels on the natural anaerobic biodegradation of the BTEX compounds.
URLs/Downloads:
ANAEROBIC BIODEGRADATION OF BIOFUELS (ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL) AND PROPOSED BIOFUELS (N-PROPANOL, ISO-PROPANOL, N-BUTANOL, AND 2,5-DIMETHYLFURAN) IN AQUIFER SEDIMENTS (PDF, NA pp, 988 KB, about PDF)2010 Conference URL
2009 Conference URL