Case Studies

BP OIL SPILL – GULF OF MEXICO – LOUISIANA

As a result of the Deep Water Horizon spill, BP contracted with Ralph J. Portier, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Sciences at Louisiana State University to test the microbial products listed on the NCPPL with crude oil and water from Barataria Bay. The following are quotations from the interim report dated March 3, 2011 and the final report dated August, 2011.

“This interim report summarizes the products evaluated at the laboratory scale. Specifically, the BCST (BioChem Strike Team) determined that 10 products listed on the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) Product Schedule warranted further testing to determine their effectiveness in degrading oil under the specific environmental, climate, and ecological conditions generated by the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Using pre-defined test protocols, each product was evaluated and compared to natural (inherent) biodegradation occurring through indigenous microflora and micronutrients present in Gulf waters. The selected products were analyzed in a controlled flask-study to determine their remediation potential on weathered crude oil recovered from south Louisiana marshes.”

READ THE RESULTS

SOIL REMEDIATION CASE STUDIES

We have been actively involved in soil and water restoration since 1987. Our process consists of bio-augmentation and bio-stimulation utilizing totally natural hydrocarbon degrading microbes. We utilize the microbes, catalyst and nutrients in each of the remediation cases outlined below. In the examples listed, the soil was spread to a thickness of approximately twelve inches, our three products were applied, and the soil was tilled at monthly intervals. Increased tilling would have reduced the time required for completion, however, monthly increments were chosen for economic reasons. The goal was to keep the soil at a moisture level of 60-80% of filed capacity and replace nutrients as required for maximum microbial growth.

Utah
We have successfuly closed over 700 produced waters pits in Utah since 1991. These pits all had floating oil, and heavy paraffins, some as thick as 10 inches. Most of the pits were closed within four months and the soil in and around the pits was restored to such quality that vegetation is abundant.

Lafayette, Louisiana
1000 cubic yards of soil. Heavy clays contaminated with varsois, crudes and drilling muds. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) levels were as high as 10,000 parts per million (ppm). Treatment took place during winter months, with heavy rains and very cold temperatures. Five months after treatment began TPH levels were 11 ppm. Site closed.

Louisiana
Two large produced water pits in southern Wetlands were treated and closed in 1990. These pits contained 1-½” of floating, heavily weathered oil. Thirty (30) days after treatment the oil layer was reduced from 1” over the entire pond to ¼” over a very small section in the center. After sixty (60) days the water tested non-detect. The sludge blanket was stirred to release the trapped oil into the water phase and closure was achieved after five (5) months.

Pearland, Texas
900 cubic yards of soil. Heavy clay soil with similar contamination to above case. TPH levels before treatment were between 5000 and 6000 ppm. Five months later, TPH level was 24 ppm.

Utah
Compressor Station. 750 cubic yards. Multiple types of contamination, from solvents to gasoline. Contamination levels were 15,000 ppm, after one month of treatment levels were 17 ppm. Site closed.

Lafayette, Louisiana
700 cubic yards of soil. An underground storage tank had leaked a small amount of diesel through sandy soil. Beginning TPH was 400 ppm, after thirty days of treatment levels were at non-detect.

Houston, Texas
Demonstration performed for major oil company on heavy weathered crude. Prior to treatment TPH levels were 95,880 ppm. One week later, levels were 14,620, and after one month of treatment 5830 ppm.

We have also performed on-site applications utilizing infiltration galleries and injection wells. We have had great success with this type of application, although results are achieved at a slower rate than land farming. Our catalyst aids in transforming an anaerobic environment to an aerobic, thus speeding the process substantially.

WATER REMEDIATION CASE STUDIES

We have performed countless water treatments ranging from batch applications and pit waters to ongoing waste water streams. Although we have had consistent successes, one of the ore dramatic applications was performed in Pearland, Texas. We treated a large tank of only waste water prior to discharge to a municipal sewer system. The city required precise documentation before discharge, so we have detailed before and after analytical data as follows:

    Before Treatment – September 7, 1990
    TPH mg/I 155,970
    TSS mg/I 185
    Ph 5.5
    5 Day BOD mg/1 651.42
    COD mg/I 68,850
    After Treatment – October 8, 1990
    TPH mg/I 11.3
    TSS mg/I 12
    Ph 7.17
    5 Day BOD mg/I 2.70
    COD mg/I 20.60

We have utilized our process in numerous municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants and have consistently improved the performance of the plant and the quality of the effluent. In many cases we have been able to assist a client in lowering organics in water discharge, allowing them to meet Texas Water Commission discharge requirements.

We have experienced comparable success in several municipal wastewater treatment facilities, one dramatic example taking place in a small city west of Houston Texas. This specific plant was very old, overloaded and was not even coming close to meeting discharge requirements. This plant was utilizing trickling filters and anaerobic digestion, and had a daily flow of 100,000 gallons in excess of design rate. Their BOD discharge requirement was 21 and they were consistently above 30, often peaking as high as 90. After our system was installed, discharge levels of BOD were in the 20’s and often dropping to 4 or 5.

In all of our oil water treatments we have observed that our process floats the oily contaminants and sinks any metals, sands or other inert material. This leaves us with a center core of “clean” water that can be dealt within a much more economical manner.

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