EDCIN Composition for Anaerobic Dechlorination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anaerobic reductive dechlorination in groundwater is hindered by insufficient organic carbon, mild redox conditions, and lack of appropriate bacteria, leading to slow or minimal degradation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (cVOCs).

Innovation Solution

Enhancing the contaminated site with organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and bio-available hydrogen-releasing nutrients, including lactose and vitamin B-12-fortified brewer's yeast, to create favorable conditions for Dehaloccoides bacteria, which utilize these nutrients for energy and electron acceptance, promoting effective cVOC degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If organic carbon is added to enhance dechlorination, then degradation rate of cVOCs improves, but complexity of nutrient management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegradation rate of cVOCsVSAvoidcomplexity of nutrient management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple nutrients (organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and hydrogen-releasing compounds) into a single integrated composition. This merging approach delivers all essential nutrients simultaneously to Dehaloccoides bacteria, enhancing cVOC degradation rates while simplifying field application compared to separate nutrient additions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite nutrient composition containing lactose, vitamin B-12-fortified brewer's yeast, and other components in specific proportions. This composite material provides synergistic effects where each component contributes specific functions (carbon source, vitamin supplementation, hydrogen release), achieving enhanced dechlorination while managing complexity through a pre-formulated product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If multiple nutrients are added to promote bacterial growth, then dechlorination efficiency improves, but cost of remediation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedechlorination efficiencyVSAvoidcost of remediation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of different nutrients in the composition, specifically the ratio of organic carbon to nitrogen to phosphorus. By adjusting these parameters to optimal levels rather than using excessive amounts of all nutrients, the formulation achieves high dechlorination efficiency while controlling material costs and application expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If fast-releasing hydrogen sources are used, then initial bacterial activity increases, but duration of effect decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial bacterial activityVSAvoidduration of hydrogen release

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The nutrient composition is segmented into different functional components with varying release characteristics. Fast-releasing hydrogen sources (such as aluminum or calcium compounds) provide immediate hydrogen for rapid bacterial activation, while slower-releasing organic carbon sources (lactose, yeast) provide sustained nutrition. This segmentation allows the system to deliver both quick initial effects and prolonged duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composition includes pre-formulated components that prepare the bacterial environment in advance. Vitamin B-12-fortified brewer's yeast and other growth factors are included to pre-condition the environment for Dehaloccoides bacteria, enabling them to rapidly activate when hydrogen becomes available, thereby extending the effective duration of the remediation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach significantly enhances cVOC reductive dechlorination, achieving high reductions in TCE, VC, and total cVOC concentrations, with EDCIN showing the strongest performance by driving the groundwater system anaerobic and reducing electron acceptors, thereby promoting bacterial activity and cVOC destruction.

Implementation Method 1

matter that releases bio-available hydrogen over a relatively short period of time and relatively quickly following site enrichment, and matter that releases bio-available hydrogen over a relatively long period of time following site enrichment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen release: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

The microbes use organic carbon as an energy source. As they metabolize available organic carbon, the microbes must utilize electron acceptors for respiration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnaerobic respiration: Anaerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 3

anaerobic reductive dechlorination is a naturally-occurring process wherein microbes degrade contaminants such as chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC) in groundwater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReductive dechlorination: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS8790912B2Composition for enhancing anaerobic reductive dechlorination by <i>Dehaloccoides</i>

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 BIOSTRYKE LP

AI summary

The composition comprises, by mass, about: 52% Lactose, 15.2% B12-fortified Brewer's Yeast, 12% Sodium Proponate, 0.8% Sodium carbonate, 0.12% Nitrate Nitrogen, 2.1% Ammoniacal Nitrogen, 3.78% Urea Nitrogen, 1% Available Phosphoric Acid, 0.4% Soluble Potash (K2O), 2% Sulphur (S), 0.0064% Iron, 0.0066% Manganese, 0.0036% Zinc, 0.00068% Copper, 0.003% Boron and about 0.0068% Molybdenum.