vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA/540/M5-91/001
May 1991
SUPERFUND INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION
Demonstration Bulletin
Aqueous Biological Treatment System
(Fixed-Film Biodegradation)
BioTrol, Inc.
Technology Description: This patented biological treatment
system, called the BioTrol Aqueous Treatment System (BATS),
uses an amended microbial population to achieve biological degra-
dation. The system is considered amended when a specific micro-
organism is added to the indigenous microbial population in the
wastewater to optimize degradation of a particular pollutant. The
system (Figure 1) accomplishes removal of both the target contami-
nants and other background organic contaminants.
Contaminated water enters a mixing tank where the pH is adjusted
and inorganic nutrients are added. If necessary, the water is heated
to reach an optimum temperature; a heat exchanger is used to
minimize energy use. The water then flows to the reactor chambers
where organic contaminants are biodegraded.
The microorganisms that perform the degradation are immobilized
on a highly porous packing in athree cell, submerged fixed-film bio-
Influent
Heat
Exchanger
Pump
Figure 1. Bioreactor processing system.
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reactor. The biological growth is first developed during a short (1 to
2 weeks) acclimation period. Air is supplied by fine bubble mem-
brane diff users mounted at the base of each cell but the system also
may be operated under anaerobic conditions.
As the water flows through the.bioreactor, contaminants are de-
graded completely to carbon dioxide, water, and, in the case of
chlorinated organics, chloride ion. The resulting effluent may be
discharged to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW), reused
onsite, or even discharged directly under a NPDES permit.
Waste Applicability: This technology is applicable to a wide
variety of wastewaters, including groundwater, holding ponds, and
process effluents. Contaminants found to be amenable to treatment
include pentachlorophenol, creosote constituents, gasoline and fuel
oil, chlorinated hydrocarbons, phenolics, and solvents.
Demonstration Results: This process was demonstrated on
pentachlorophenol-contaminated groundwater at a wood preserv-
ing facility in New Brighton, Minnesota, over a 6-week period from
July 24 to September 1, 1989. A 5 gpm, trailer-mounted unit was
operated for 2 weeks at each of three throughput rates: 1,3, and 5
gpm after an initial 2-week acclimation period.
Operation of the system
• successfully reduced pentachlorophenol concentrations from -45
to 1 ppm or less in a single pass;
• achieved 96% - 99% removal of PGP (see Table 1);
* produced minimal sludge and no air emissions of pentachlorophe-
nol;
• successfully mineralized chlorinated phenolics;
« eliminated biotoxfcity present in the groundwater;
•appearedto be unaffected by low concentrations of oil/grease (~50
ppm) and heavy metals found in such water; and
• required minimal operator attention.
Table 1. Average Pentachlorophenol Removal
Row
(9pm)
1
3
5
Groundwater
(ppm)
42
34.5
27.5
Effluent
(ppm)
0.13
0.34
0.99
Removal
(%)
99.8
98.5
96.4
A Demonstration Report and an Applications Analysis Report
describing the complete demonstration will be available in the
spring of 1991.
For Further Information:
EPA Project Manager:
Mary K. Stinson
U.S. EPA Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
Superfund Technology Demonstration Division
Technical Assistance Section (MS-104)
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08837-3679
908-321-6683 (FTS: 340-6683)
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental
Research Information
Cincinnati, OH 45268
BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT No. G-35
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/540/M5-91/001
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