(84e) Natural Attenuation and Biostimulation of Petroleum-Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil in a Simulated Column | AIChE

(84e) Natural Attenuation and Biostimulation of Petroleum-Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil in a Simulated Column

Authors 

Safdari, M. S. - Presenter, Chemical Engineering Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Fazlollahi, F., Brigham Young University
Fletcher, T., Brigham Young University
Rahmati, M., Brigham young university
Various physiochemical and biological remediation methods can be used to remediate petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminations. Using microorganisms in biological remediation methods is considered as a cost-effective and environmental friendly solution. In the current research, two bioremediation-type processes, natural attenuation (NA) and biostimulation (BS) were applied to simulate biodegradation of petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated soil collected from a refinery. During 60 days of operation, 88% and 65% of initial petroleum-hydrocarbon contamination biodegraded in BS and NA modes, respectively. Moreover, population of indigenous microorganisms in the soil column increased noticeably. Both bioremediation bodes showed that they are compatible with first-order reaction kinetic. In the NA mode, reaction rate constant was calculated 0.02 d-1 while it was 0.039 d-1 for the BS mode.