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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, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose is for the US EPA to understand the fate of these materials (ethanol, biodiesel, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, 2,5-dimethylfuran) if they 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 martket, 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 vegeatble oils or from waste cooking fats, is also available in the US market. Other compounds including n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, 2,5-dimethlfuran 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 micrososm study to follow the anaerobic biodegradation of these biofuels in aquifer sediment from two sites: an old methanogenic fules 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.
