Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Enhanced Decontamination of Wetted Pipe Material
EPA Contract Number: EPD14018Title: Enhanced Decontamination of Wetted Pipe Material
Investigators: Ball, Raymond G.
Small Business: Enchem Engineering, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015
Project Amount: $99,920
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2014) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Drinking Water and Wastewater Security , SBIR - Homeland Security , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The security of critical infrastructure is currently of high importance to the United States following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. In particular, the potential for deliberate or accidental contamination of our water systems is a concern, considering the number of people potentially affected and the engineering difficulties with evaluating and treating contaminants in a subsurface network of pipes. The disadvantages of current pipe wall treatment methods such as surfactant or ozone flushing has led to research and application of innovative treatment methods. The advantages of the proprietary reactive agent OxyZone-C® treatment are enhanced contaminant desorption and ozone delivery for improved contaminant destruction.
- Determine the adherence tendency and persistence of target contaminants on different pipe materials.
- Evaluate those parameters, such as OxyZone-C® concentration, ozone concentration and contact sequencing order, that have the greatest effect on the solubilization and degradation rate of the target contaminants from the test material surface.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
This Phase I investigation demonstrates that recalcitrant toxic organics, based on using a surrogate dye compound, can be effectively removed from a wetted pipe surface and destroyed with the innovative OxyZone-C® treatment approach. Cement pipe coupons contaminated with a target compound, Coomassi Brilliant Blue G-250 dye, were treated under dynamic test conditions. The results of these tests indicate that (1) the addition of a relatively small concentration of OxyZone-C® to the treatment solution removes the adhered target compound from a cement coupon surface; (2) treatment with OxyZone-C® resulted in complete target compound destruction; (3) the treatment is most efficient during the initial hours after injection of OxyZone-C® solution; (4) rates of destruction vary for different dosages; (5) a fraction of the OxyZone-C® is destroyed during the treatment; and (6) OxyZone-C® stabilizes ozone, which is an integral part of the formulation. Ozone released slowly from OxyZone-C® extended the reactivity of the treatment solution.
Conclusions:
Based on cement coupon studies, OxyZone-C® completely destroyed the target compounds under dynamic conditions in the laboratory bench-scale studies in a closed loop system. The technology can be implemented at a pilot or field scale in a closed loop piping system. OxyZone-C® technology can be implemented in the field by using either the companys already proven treatment scheme, which relies on single or multiple injections of conventional, patented OxyZone-C® treatment solution discussed here for pipeline injection, or via one or more enhancements. Typically, the treatment solution would be injected into a pipeline and withdrawn at the other end and then treated for contaminant destruction and possibly reagent regeneration.
- EnChem Engineering, Inc. has discussed use of the Test and Evaluation (T&E) facility in Cincinnati, Ohio with EPA Homeland Security to further evaluate decontamination of pipe materials under quasi-realistic conditions.
- EnChem Engineering, Inc. has prepared a white paper and presentation for potential government or private commercialization partners.
Supplemental Keywords:
Homeland security, contamination, cyclodextrin, pesticide desorption, water, ozone, pipe wallsThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.