United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA/540/F-96/505
May 1996
&EPA
SUPERFUND INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION
Emerging Technology Bulletin
Innovative Methods for Bioslurry Treatment
IT Corporation
Technology Description: Slurry biodegradation systems are cre-
ated by combining soil or sludge with water. This technology
provides rapid biodegradation, due to enhanced mass transfer
rates and increased contaminant to microorganism contact. After
appropriate pretreatment, the contaminants are suspended in a
slurry form and mixed in a tank. Aeration is provided by spargers.
Mixing is provided by aeration alone or by aeration and mechani-
cal mixing. Nutrients and neutralizing agents are supplied to
relieve any chemical limitations to microbial activity. Other materi-
als can be used to support growth and induce degradation of
contaminants, or increase substrate availability to degradation.
Manual
B-1
An increased rate and extent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH) biodegradation in slurry reactors has been developed.
Two 60 liters (L) TEKNO Associates bioslurry reactors and a 10-L
fermentation unit in semi-continuous, plug-flow mode, were
operated for a 6-month period. The first 60-L reactor received
fresh feed daily and supplements of salicylate and succinate to
enhance PAH biodegradation. A schematic flow diagram of this
bioslurry treatment is shown in Figure 1. Effluent from the first
reactor is fed to the second 10-L reactor in series, where Fenton's
reagent (Fe++ + H2O2 is added to accelerate oxidation of 4- to 6-
ring PAHs. The Third reactor in series, biologically oxidizes re-
Atmosphere
Effluent Process Water (Manual Transferring)
Make-Up
Process --
Water
Effluent
Legend
(§3) Sample Port (PR) Pressure Regulator
I PI) Pressure Indicator (KE) Timer
M-1
Feed
Mixer
T-1
Feed
Container
(20L)
B-1
Air
Blower
P-1
Feed Pump
(12L/Day)
R-1
Air
Rotameter
S-1
Air
Filter
M-2A,B,C
Bioreactor
Mixer
T-6
Bio
Reactor 1
(60L)
T-7
Bio
Reactor 2
(60L)
T-8
Bio
Reactor 3
(10L)
Z-1
Carbon
Adsorption
P-6
Slurry
Pump
P-5
Effluent
Pump
T-2
Clarifier
Z-2
Air
Sampling
Device
T-5
Effluent
Container
(20L)
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of bioslurry treatment. (Source: IT Corp., 1995)
Printed on Recycled Paper
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maining contaminants, after being treated with Fenton's reagent.
R3 received no additions ofsalicylate and succinate. The reactor
was aerated, nutrient-amended, andpH adjusted only.
Waste Applicability: Biosltuy reactors have the potential to
treat a wide range of organic contaminants such as pesticides,
fuels, creosote, pentachlorophenol (PCP), and somehaloge-
nated volatile organicsitis expected to treat coal tars, refinery
wastes, hydrocarbons, wood-preserving wastes, and organic and
chlorinated sludges. The pressure of heavy metals and chlorides
may inhibit the microbial metabolism and require pretreatment.
These units have demonstrated biodegradation of selected con-
taminant concentrations ranging from 2,500 to 250,000 milli-
grams/kilograms (mg/kg).
Test Results: Blended slurry PAH and CPAH maximum concen-
trations were 6,120 and 434 mg/kg, respectively. The bioslurry
reactor system demonstrated up to 95% and 84% transformation
of PAH and CPAH, respectively. During optimal operation, the
influent PAH concentration was decreased from 6,210 mg/kg to
325 mglkg. Influent CPAH concentrations were decreased from
422 mglkg to 65 mglkg. Total heterophobic counts in Rl and R3
ranged from 108 to 109 colony forming unit per milliliter (CPU/
ml). Despite severe conditions maintained inR2, total microbial
counts ranged up to 104 CFU/mL.
For Further Information:
EPA Project Manager
Brunilda Davila
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
(513) 569.7849 FAX: (513) 569-7879
Technology Developer Contact:
Randi Brown
IT International Technology Corporation
1425 South Victoria Court
Suite A
San Bernadino. CA 92408-292
Phone: 909-799-6869
Fax: 909-799-7604
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Environmental Research Information
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
BULK RATE
POSTAGES FEES PAID
EPA
PERM IT No. G-35
EPA/540/F-96/505
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