Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Improved Method for In-Situ Soil Remediation: The Modified "LasagnaTM" Process
EPA Contract Number: 68D98119Title: Improved Method for In-Situ Soil Remediation: The Modified "LasagnaTM" Process
Investigators: Drozd, J. Michael
Small Business: Industrial Microwave Systems LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1998 through March 1, 1999
Project Amount: $69,500
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The objective of Industrial Microwave Systems' Phase I project was to demonstrate the feasibility of using a device for efficiently and effectively remediating soil contaminated with ionized and/or magnetic particles. The device uses an electromagnetic force to centralize the soil contaminants to a single layer. This is similar to an existing process called the "LasagnaTM" process. The "LasagnaTM" process refers to an EPA funded CRADA between Monsanto, DuPont, and General Electric. It utilizes two electrodes which apply a potential across the region of contaminated soil. The advantage of the "LasagnaTM" process is that it allows users to treat contaminants completely in situ, without using injection or extraction wells. One major disadvantage is that implementing the process requires burying a large electrode under the ground. This is technically difficult and it limits the depth to which the system can be implemented. In other words, the size of the exposure region is limited by the depth to which an electrode can be buried under the surface.
Industrial Microwave Systems has taken the "LasagnaTM" process a step further. The "Modified LasagnaTM" process has the potential to generate greater force, achieve superior depth of penetration, be easier to implement and be more cost effective than the original "LasagnaTM" process. The "Modified LasagnaTM" does not require a large electrode to be buried under the surface. Instead, a series of stakes can be used to generate the force necessary on the contaminated particles.
The phase I effort centered around modeling, building, and testing a prototype modified "LasagnaTM" process device. We began by developing a computer model of the device. Modeled results were very encouraging and verified that the necessary field pattern was achievable. Based on the results of the computer model, a relatively low power prototype system was built and tested.
Testing involved contaminating a soil sample with a NaCl solution and measuring the number of ions that were displaced. Specifically, a NaCl solution was mixed with a sterile soil sample and placed at the bottom of a test fixture. The rest of the test fixture was filled with two additional layers of uncontaminated soil. The ohmic resistance of each layer in the fixture was measured and recorded. This confirmed that the contaminants were localized to the bottom of the fixture. The test fixture was then placed within the prototype. After exposing the test fixture for a specified period of time, the ohmic resistance of each layer of the soil was again measured. This procedure was repeated while successively increasing the power level.
Figure 1: Contaminant Motility versus Applied Power
Figure 1 is a graph of the percent change in conductivity versus increase in the power from the device for both the middle and top layers of soil. As expected, with no power applied, the middle and top layers did not change in conductivity. As the power level was increased, we first noted a change in the conductivity in the middle layer of soil as the charged ions were forced upwards. With greater power applied, the charged particles are exposed to a greater force, and thus are pushed more into the top layer of soil.
The findings of this project confirm the feasibility of Industrial Microwave Systems' Modified "LasagnaTM" Process. This device will allow users to treat a wide range of contaminants, including trichloroethene (TCE), cadmium, mercury, lead, and nitrates, completely in situ. Potential commercial applications include remediation projects involving soils that are contaminated with ionized (or polar) substances.
Because of the design simplicity, we do not anticipate any major complications in building a full-scale system. Of course, a great deal of further testing is necessary on actual contaminants encountered in the industry. This will be part of the focus for our Phase II project. In addition, a larger prototype in both power and scale will be built in Phase II.
As for commercialization, Industrial Microwave Systems' intent is to license the technology. Currently, Industrial Microwave Systems does not intend to manufacture or distribute the equipment. Parties interested in licensing the technology should contact Jay Borkowski, Industrial Microwave Systems, 2 Davis Drive, PO Box 13853, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Phone - (919) 990-9595, Fax - (919) 990-9596, jbork@mwaves.com.
Supplemental Keywords:
Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Waste, Water, Sustainable Industry/Business, Environmental Chemistry, Geochemistry, Contaminated Sediments, Remediation, Chemistry, New/Innovative technologies, Environmental Engineering, 33/50, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Market mechanisms, Mercury, cadmium & cadmium compounds, in situ remediation, soil and groundwater remediation, soil sediment, lead & lead compounds, contaminated sediment, lead, electromagnetic induction, alternative extraction, Trichloroethylene, contaminated soil, chemical contaminants, nitrogen oxide, soil remediation, soil and groudwater remediation, soil contaminants, mercury & mercury compounds, cost effective, cadmium, heavy metal contaminationThe 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.