Time-Release Bioremediation Composition for Halogenated Hydrocarbon Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for in situ remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons are inefficient, costly, and often result in the release of toxic by-products, requiring long periods and multiple treatments to achieve regulatory cleanup standards.
Innovation Solution
A composition combining elemental iron-based activated carbon with bioremediation organisms and a time-release organic compound, such as starch, to adsorb and degrade halogenated hydrocarbons, facilitating reductive dehalogenation and prolonged contaminant degradation without releasing toxic by-products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional remediation methods are used, then contaminant removal is achieved, but treatment time extends to years and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple remediation mechanisms into a single composition: zero-valent iron particles for reductive dehalogenation, activated carbon for adsorption, and bioremediation agents for biological degradation. This merging of functions allows simultaneous action on contaminants through different pathways, significantly reducing the time required to achieve regulatory cleanup standards compared to conventional single-method approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material system consisting of iron particles, activated carbon, and bioremediation organisms working together. This composite approach leverages the complementary strengths of each component: the rapid chemical reduction from iron, the adsorption capacity of carbon, and the sustained biological degradation from microorganisms, achieving effective contaminant removal within months rather than years
2Reliability
If conventional remediation methods are used, then contaminant removal is achieved, but toxic by-products are released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reductive dehalogenation using zero-valent iron, a process that converts harmful halogenated hydrocarbons into less harmful dehalogenated products. This chemical transformation approach, combined with bioremediation, eliminates the formation of toxic by-products that characterizes many conventional remediation methods, while still achieving effective contaminant removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate substances and mechanisms that facilitate safe contaminant transformation: zero-valent iron acts as a reducing agent that mediates the conversion of halogenated compounds, activated carbon serves as an intermediary adsorbent that captures contaminants without releasing toxic by-products, and bioremediation agents provide controlled biological degradation pathways that avoid harmful intermediate products
3Reliability
If multiple treatments are applied, then regulatory cleanup standards are met, but treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composition designed for continuous action over an extended period, with zero-valent iron particles, activated carbon, and bioremediation agents working simultaneously and continuously to degrade contaminants. This continuous multi-mechanism action allows regulatory cleanup standards to be achieved in a single treatment application rather than requiring multiple sequential treatments, reducing overall material consumption and cost
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 solution rapidly reduces contaminant concentrations to regulatory standards with a single treatment, maintaining groundwater quality and extending the remediation period, achieving up to 64-86% degradation over several months to years.
Implementation Method 1
a supported reactant for the reductive dehalogenation of halogenated hydrocarbons. The supported reactant consists essentially of an adsorbent impregnated with zero valent iron
Implementation Method 2
The supported reactant consists essentially of an adsorbent impregnated with zero valent iron, and the adsorbent is chosen to be capable of adsorbing the halogenated hydrocarbon
Implementation Method 3
a first bioremediation material including at least one microorganism chosen for its ability to degrade halogenated compounds
Implementation Method 4
at least one polyamide or at least one polysaccharide, or a polypeptide... and a second bioremediation material including at least one organism chosen for its ability to degrade the at least one polyamide, at least one polysaccharide, or at least one polypeptide
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for remediation of soil and groundwater containing halogenated compounds. The remediation composition includes an elemental iron-based composition, which may include activated carbon capable of absorbing the halogenated compounds with numerous pores impregnated with elemental iron. The remediation composition further includes a first bioremediation material including a blend of one-to-many organisms capable of degrading the halogenated compounds. The remediation composition includes an organic compound or polymeric substance and a second bioremediation material including a blend of one-to-many organisms capable of degrading the organic compound or polymeric substance over time (e.g., 20 to 365 or more days to provide a time release substrate-creating material or platform) into smaller molecules or compounds used by the organisms in the first bioremediation material while degrading the halogenated compounds. The organic compound may be a complex carbohydrate such as food grade starch, chitin, or other complex carbohydrate such as one with low water solubility.