Abstract: A method for treating a body of a polluted porous medium, includes the steps of: preparing a reactive solution containing nanoparticles; injecting the reactive solution into the body of the polluted porous medium so as to decompose pollutants in the polluted porous medium by reacting the nanoparticles with the pollutants; and applying an electric field to the body of the polluted porous medium so as to enhance transporting effect of the nanoparticles in the body of the polluted porous medium.

Abstract: Methods of treating ground water and methods for reducing contaminants (e.g., chlorinated compounds in contaminated ground water) to harmless compounds in the presence of an elemental metal treatment composition. Said methods comprise injecting a treatment solution comprising a colloidal suspension of elemental metal particles (e.g., iron, a tin, a zinc, a palladium and mixtures thereof) having a nanoscale particle size and a carbohydrate in an organic liquid (e.g., dodecane, butyl acetate and polypropylene glycol ethyl ether acetate and mixtures thereof) into the ground, proximate to the contaminated ground water.

Abstract: A method of treating contaminants in soil and/or groundwater including adding a source of a peroxide and ozone to the in situ environment in amounts capable of producing reactive species sufficient to oxidize at least one of the contaminants without acidification of the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating dredged material in which liquid is first added to the dredged material, and dewatering the dredged material to obtain a filtrate and a solid portion. Contaminants are removed from the dredged material by at least one oxidation process. The solid portion may be used to form structural articles.

Abstract: A system and method for the in-situ removal or remediation of contaminants in a soil formation containing a subsurface groundwater aquifer, the method comprising the steps of: injecting a first oxidant into the aquifer at an injection point to create a volume of influence of the first oxidant in the aquifer thereby treating the contaminants contained within the volume of influence; and injecting a compressed gas into the aquifer to increase the size of the volume of influence of the first oxidant. The injection of the compressed gas into the aquifer can also force the groundwater in the aquifer away from the injection point into a surrounding area to transport the first oxidant into the surrounding area thereby extracting contaminants from soil adjacent to the surrounding area.

Abstract: A method and system for removing contaminants from contaminated soil at a site utilizes particle size segregation and particle density segregation to yield a plurality of fractions, whereby each of the fractions are tested and identified for the presence of unacceptable levels of contaminants, and the soil fractions from the contaminated soil at the site corresponding to the identified contaminated fractions are collected for subsequent disposal or treatment, while the remaining untainted soil fractions are homogenized and returned to the site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the in situ purification of aquifers contaminated with ethers and/or alcohols using a bacterial culture, a method of delivering the culture to the subsurface, and an oxygen delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide metal powder capable of decomposing and remedying various range of organic halogen compounds including organic halogen compounds which are difficult to be decomposed by a conventional decomposition and remediation method. Metal powder for decomposition of organic halogen is prepared in such a manner that the metal powder contains at least two kinds or more of metal elements, the respective metal elements forming phases, the respective metal elements therein serving as major constituents thereof, wherein difference in standard oxidation-reduction electric potential between any two kinds among the above-described metal elements is 778 mV or more in absolute value.

Abstract: Iron particles for purifying soil or ground water of the present invention comprise a mixed phase of ?-Fe phase and Fe3O4 phase, and having a BET specific surface area of 5 to 60 m2/g, an Fe content of not less than 75% by weight based on the weight of the iron particles and a sulfur content of not less than 1,000 ppm. The iron particles are capable of decomposing or insolubilizing harmful substances such as organohalogen compounds and/or heavy metals, cyanogen, etc. contained in the soil or ground water in efficient, continuous and economical manners.

Abstract: The humic-mineral agent from naturally occurring carbon-series humites and caustobioliths comprises humic acids and salts thereof, naturally hydrated humic acids, hydrolyzed humic acids, hydrated and hydrolyzed humic-mineral and mineral complexes of parent carbon-series humites and caustobioliths chemically bound to the naturally hydrated humic acids. The method for preparing a humic-mineral agent comprises crushing and disintegrating of carbon-series humites and caustobioliths and mixing them with an alkali. The carbon-series humites and caustobioliths are crushed and disintegrated when their moisture content is close to the natural level at which humic acids are in a naturally hydrated state, hot water is added to the. Next an alkali is added thereto and the mixture is hydrolyzed till obtaining the end product having consistency from viscous-flow to plastic and the pH value of from 6.5 to 8. The method for detoxication of polluted soil.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for the remediation of contaminated water, soils and/or sediments. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more conduits for injection of hydrogen peroxide and ozone based reagents.

Abstract: The invention provides a remediation method of soil, water and/or gases by prompt dehalogenation of halogenated hydrocarbons by allowing the halogenated hydrocarbons contained at least in one of the soil, water and/or gases to contact an iron powder containing about 0.03 to about 2% by mass of sulfur preferably on the surface, and an iron powder for use in the remediation method.

Abstract: A method for remediation of contaminants in soil and groundwater is disclosed. The method generates oxygen releasing solids in groundwater or soil by injecting an aqueous energetic oxidant solution containing free radicals, oxidative conditions can be created within or ahead of a contaminant plume. Some contaminants may be remediated directly by reaction with the free radicals. Additionally and more importantly, the free radicals create an oxidative condition whereby native or injected materials, especially metals, are converted to peroxides. These peroxides provide a long-term oxygen reservoir, releasing oxygen relatively slowly over time. The oxygen can enhance microbial metabolism to remediate contaminants, can react with contaminant metals either to form immobile precipitants or to mobilize other metals to permit remediation through leaching techniques. Various injection strategies for injecting the energetic oxidant solution are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a remediation system and method of use thereof for degrading contaminants, including chlorinated organics, volatile organic chemicals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The system includes an oxygen source and pentane. The system provides an accelerated rate of remediation as compared to currently available remediation systems.

Abstract: In one application for containing and remediating contaminants in sediments, employing a geocomposite eliminates the need for a thick cap or removal and subsequent ex situ treatment of the sediment. A geocomposite with at least one layer of reactive material is placed over the area to be remediated. A layer of available surcharge materials such as sand, gravel, or riprap covers the geocomposite. The weight of the surcharge materials causes pore water to flow from the sediment through the reactive layer or layers. Contaminants may be trapped in this reactive layer or layers. A top or bottom layer, or both a top and bottom layer, may be provided to inhibit incursion from outside the sediment layer, while permitting appropriate flow direction of pore water into the reactive layer or layers.

Abstract: A method for removing volatile and semi-volatile contaminants from groundwater in which the contaminants are stripped from the groundwater by sparging with an inert carrier gas and the stripped contaminants are transported into a bioactive zone into which at least one gaseous oxidant and at least one nutrient are independently injected, thereby stimulating at least one microbial culture associated with the bioactive zone to remove the stripped contaminants from the bioactive zone. By decoupling the sparging of the groundwater from the introduction of oxidants and nutrient feed gases into the bioventing bioactive zone of the subsurface, the oxygen and nutrient inputs to the bioactive zone can be adjusted (or carbureted) and controlled independently from the hydrocarbon input to the bioactive zone to achieve good kinetic performance in the bioactive zone while avoiding the problems of plugging of groundwater sparging due to biofilm and precipitate formation.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a contaminated material contaminated with an organic compound. The method includes treating the contaminate with a bioremediation step followed by a chemical oxidation step. The bioremediation step includes contacting the contaminate with a microbial consortium under conditions suitable for the consortium to mediate solubilization or biodegradation of the organic compound or chemical oxidation products thereof. The subsequent chemical oxidation step includes treating the bioremediated contaminate with: a transition metal in soluble form; a chelator of the transition metal, to form a transition metal:chelator complex; an oxidizing agent that provides a reactive free radical in the presence of the transition metal complex; and a buffering compound to maintain the pH in a neutral range. The reactive free radical initiates a chemical reaction with the organic compound to produce reaction products of the organic compound.

Abstract: A method of treating a site containing contaminants and apparatus are described The method and apparatus sparges the site with an air/ozone gas stream delivered with a hydroperoxide, which is a substantial byproduct of a reaction of a contaminant present in the aquifer or soil formation with the ozone.

Abstract: A method for removing metal contaminants from water uses lignin derivatives, such as lignosulfonates and kraft lignin, a coagulant, such as a metal salt, and a pH-increasing composition. The lignin derivative is dispersed in the contaminated water, the coagulant is added and the pH is adjusted as required to cause flocculation. A sludge is formed that contains the metals and that is separated from the treated water by filtration. Related methods are used to reduce the leachable metal content of contaminated soils. The invention also provides a composition for stabilizing the metal contaminants in soil, comprising lignin derivatives, a coagulant and a composition for increasing the pH. The mixture is blended with the contaminated soil, reducing its leachable metal content.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile, in situ applicator system and method for remediating contaminated soils at a site without the removal of those soils. The applicator system comprises a vehicle, preferably a chemical treatment vehicle used in the oil and gas industry, and fluid dispensing components comprising a tank, hose, and pump for the application to contaminated sites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to removal of subsurface contaminants and methods of same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an integrated method for remediating subsurface contaminants through the use of a low concentration surfactant solution (and methods of making and using novel surfactant solutions) followed by an abiotic polishing process to thereafter achieve a substantially reduced subsurface contaminant concentration that surfactant flushing alone cannot achieve.

Abstract: Iron particles for purifying soil or ground water of the present invention comprise a mixed phase of ?-Fe phase and Fe3O4 phase, and having a BET specific surface area of 5 to 60 m2/g, an Fe content of not less than 75% by weight based on the weight of the iron particles and a sulfur content of not less than 1,000 ppm. The iron particles are capable of decomposing or insolubilizing harmful substances such as organohalogen compounds and/or heavy metals, cyanogen, etc. contained in the soil or ground water in efficient, continuous and economical manners.

Abstract: A sparging system for in-situ groundwater remediation for removal of contamination including dissolved chlorinated hydrocarbons and dissolved hydrocarbon petroleum products including the use in injection wells of microfine bubble generators, matched to substrates of selected aquifer regions, for injection and distribution of said bubbles containing oxidizing gas through said aquifer and to selectively encapsulating gases including oxygen and ozone in duo-gas bubbles which, in the presence of co-reactant substrate material acting as a catalyst, are effective to encourage biodegradation of leachate plumes which contain biodegradable organics, or Criegee decomposition of leachate plumes containing dissolved chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Soil binding and revegetation compositions useful for stabilizing soil and promoting vegetation or revegetation of soil comprise water, an endosperm, an iron compound, a strong base, and a fibrous material. The endosperm comprises the carbohydrate and protein portions of grains, seeds, or tubers. The strong base is reacted with the endosperm in the presence of water added in order to ionize the carbohydrate and protein of the endosperm and render them more soluble or dispersible in water. The iron compound promotes an electrochemical reaction that assists in the formation of a silicate crystal matrix when applied to soil. The fibrous material softens and nourishes the soil in order to promote the emergence of plant life and/or seed germination. Seeds may optionally be added to further promote vegetation or revegetation of denuded soils.

Abstract: An in situ method of reducing concentrations of contaminates in contaminated soil, where contaminated soil positioned in a first horizontal location is in situ mixed with clean soil in vertical proximity to the contaminated soil. The mixed soil is blended under conditions and for a time sufficient to substantially homogenize the contaminants in the blended soil. The mixing and blending is then repeated for a second horizontal location.

Abstract: Inexpensive, highly effective methods for the in-situ reduction of hexavalent chromium to the non-toxic trivalent oxidation state in soil and groundwater containing hexavalent chromium are provided, which may reduce hexavalent chromium concentration in soil to as low as 5 mg/L. The methods involve sampling soil comprising hexavalent chromium to determine a reaction amount of a reducing agent, providing a frame on a top surface of the soil, wetting the soil, spreading a reducing agent on the top surface of the soil, and flushing the soil with water to dissolve the reducing agent. The reducing agent may be a chemical agent, a biological agent, or a combination of chemical and biological agents. The biological reducing agents may include sludge from wastewater, return activated sludge, waste activated sludge, leachate from landfill or from composting operations, or compost material from municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, or solid waste operations.

Abstract: A method for neutralizing in situ pore water associated with a subsurface waste material body, the pore water having a pH of less than 2, the method includes the steps of adding a non-carbonate alkali to the pore water to produce a pH-modified acidic pore water having a pH between about 4 and about 5; and adding a carbonate alkali to the pH-modified pore water in an amount sufficient to raise the pore water pH to between about 6 and about 8.

Abstract: An injection vessel for injecting liquid amendment into contaminated subsurface sediment in ecologically sensitive areas such as shallow water salt marshes, tidal flats, or fresh water wetlands is disclosed. The injection vessel described herein includes a shallow-draft floating platform that has an injection system mounted thereon. The injection system includes an injection grid containing a plurality of injection syringes that receive liquid amendment from a metering pump. The injection grid is lowered such that the output of the injection syringes is within the contaminated sediment. The metering pump provides the liquid amendment to the injection syringes and a fluid path is established that injects the liquid amendment into the contaminated sediment. A propulsion system mounted on the floating platform provides for locomotive and maneuvering power.

Abstract: A remediation system comprises a primary scalping screen, a primary pump and sump, a large diameter maximum density separator with flocculant injection ring, a secondary pump and sump, a small diameter maximum density separator with flocculant injection ring, a static sieve screen, a flocculation sump, a vibrating screen, a dewatering device, a tertiary sump and pump, a secondary flocculation tank, and a pugmill. Screens move water and particulates through the components. In this manner larger particles are separated from smaller particles and the particles are further dewatered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixture and a process for the treatment of waste materials and the use of the mixture for the treatment of waste materials and waste material treated therewith. The mixture comprises (A) at least one zinc salt of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acid, (B) at least one calcium salt of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acid, (C) at least one hydrophobing agent, (D) at least one amino alcohol and (E) NH3.

Abstract: The invention provides repeated sequential stages of chemical and biological treatment to meet soil and/or groundwater treatment goals. Chemical treatment is undertaken to directly destroy a portion of the contaminants via oxidation, with such chemical treatment occurring in discrete injection events. Near the completion of an injection event, the remedial additive concentrations or delivery rates are increased. During or subsequent to the chemical treatment event, beneficial nutrients and additional microbial populations are added to the soil and or groundwater based upon field or laboratory testing and calculated optimal concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to removal of subsurface contaminants and methods of same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an integrated method for remediating subsurface contaminants through the use of a low concentration surfactant solution (and methods of making and using novel surfactant solutions) followed by an abiotic polishing process to thereafter achieve a substantially reduced subsurface contaminant concentration that surfactant flushing alone cannot achieve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, composition and apparatus for stabilizing mercury and other heavy metals present in a particulate material such that the metals will not leach from the particulate material. The method generally involves the application of a metal reagent, a sulfur-containing compound, and the addition of oxygen to the particulate material, either through agitation, sparging or the addition of an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of remedying contaminated soil comprises: providing microorganisms capable of degrading soil contaminants to contaminated soil, in which the microorganisms is supported on a carrier; and providing nutrients for the microorganisms to the contaminated soil on the condition that the nutrients can be gradually released, and a microorganism preparation for remedying soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing adsorbent particles formed from expanded plastics materials, said particles comprising cellular structures that are open at their surface, characterized in that a material constituted by agglomerated beads of said expanded material and having smooth surfaces is rasped into fine chips. The present invention also relates to adsorbent particles formed from an expanded plastics material comprising cellular structures that are open at their surface, characterized in that they are in the form of fine chips, preferably with a dimension of 0.8 mm to 4 mm, said open cellular structures represent more than 80% of the visible surface area of said chips. In a method of treating soil polluted with hydrocarbons, the following steps are carried out, in which: 1) said polluted soil is mixed with adsorbent particles according to the invention; and 2) said adsorbent particles charged with hydrocarbons are separated from the depolluted soil.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of contaminated materials including soils and solids to stabilize and reduce the mobility of heavy metal contaminated materials. Compositions and processes are disclosed for encapsulating and/or complexing certain heavy metals to render waste non-hazardous. Preferred treatment compositions include mixtures of monoammonium phosphate and bed ash which includes among other components, lime. The bed ash typically comprises lime, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, sulfur, and may comprise additional components such as, for example, magnesium oxide, and iron oxide. Processes are disclosed for using the treatment compositions at various application amounts, including relatively low application amounts, such as an amount of 5% by weight, to treat waste such as heavy metal contaminated soil to reduce the levels of certain heavy metals, and, in particular barium, to acceptable limits.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating soil and ground water containing organic contaminants and divalent metal compounds. It comprises the steps of first treating such soils and ground water with an effective amount an aqueous solution containing a peroxide and a water soluble chelating agent for a time sufficient to have the water soluble chelating agent chelate at least one of the divalent metals of the divalent metal compounds present in the soil and ground water. Next, the chelated metals are brought into contact with the peroxide to catalytically convert the peroxide to an oxidizing agent. Finally, the last step is contacting the organic contaminants in the soil and ground water with the oxidizing agent to oxidize the organic contaminants to environmentally safe, non-toxic compounds.

Abstract: A sparging system for in-situ groundwater remediation for removal of contamination including dissolved chlorinated hydrocarbons and dissolved hydrocarbon petroleum products including the use in injection wells of microfine bubble generators, matched to substrates of selected aquifer regions, for injection and distribution of said bubbles containing oxidizing gas through said aquifer and to selectively encapsulating gases including oxygen and ozone in duo-gas bubbles which, in the presence of co-reactant substrate material acting as a catalyst, are effective to encourage biodegradation of leachate plumes which contain biodegradable organics, or Criegee decomposition of leachate plumes containing dissolved chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process in which material comprising an aqueous liquid with dispersed particulate solids is pumped as a fluid then allowed to stand and rigidify and the rigidification is improved whilst retaining the pump ability of the material by combining polymeric particles with the material during or prior to pumping the material, wherein the polymeric particles comprise water soluble polymer which has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 3 dl/g. The process of the invention more effectively minimises the area taken up by a stack of the material of given volume whilst maintaining the pumpability of the material. This invention is particularly suited to material that comprises red mud from the Bayer alumina process.

Abstract: An in situ method of reducing concentrations of contaminates in contaminated soil, where contaminated soil positioned in a first horizontal location is in situ mixed with clean soil in vertical proximity to the contaminated soil. The mixed soil is blended under conditions and for a time sufficient to substantially homogenize the contaminants in the blended soil. The mixing and blending is then repeated for a second horizontal location.

Abstract: A containment system for use adjacent to a selected region of a subterranean formation and comprising a plurality of laterally interlocked casing strings. At least one electrically conductive element is disposed along at least a portion of a casing string and is used for performing electrical time domain reflectometry. At least one protective element may be positioned between portions of adjacent casing strings of the barrier, and at least one electrically conductive element may be disposed at least partially within the at least one protective element for use in indicating at least one characteristic of at least a portion of the containment system. Electrical time domain reflectometry (TDR) may be used to indicate the at least one characteristic; for instance, TDR may be used to indicate leakage through the barrier or a discontinuity or void in a barrier filler material.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a contaminated material contaminated with an organic compound is provided. The method includes treating the contaminate with a bioremediation step followed by a chemical oxidation step. The method includes contacting the contaminate with a microbial consortium under conditions suitable for the consortium to mediate solubilization or biodegradation of the organic compound or reaction products thereof. The subsequent chemical oxidation step includes treating the bioremediated contaminate with:a transition metal in soluble form; a chelator of the transition metal, to form a transition metal:chelator complex; an oxidizing agent that provides a reactive free radical in the presence of the transition metal complex; and a buffering compound to maintain the pH in a neutral range.

Abstract: A preferred method of soil remediation in which contaminant organic compounds are removed from soil by a sequential process in which the bulk of natural and contaminant organic compounds are stripped from the soil by hot air injection, followed by applying a strong oxidizing agent, preferably a permanganate, to reduce residual organic contaminant concentration to acceptable levels. Hot air is injected into the soil as it is being churned by the soil mixing device, preferably a chain trencher, to strip off organic compounds. The vapors may be collected through a vacuum hood disposed over the soil mixing device. When the thermal stripping has reduced the bulk hydrocarbon content of the soil (and thus reduced the oxidant demand), an effective amount of permanganate or other strong oxidizing agent is mixed into the soil to reduce the residual organic contaminants. Hot air can also be injected into the soil as or after the oxidizing agent is introduced to accelerate the oxidation rate.

Abstract: A method for recombining and then solidifying groups of soil particles by utilizing changes in the status and properties of soil particles which comprises a combination (in an adhering state) between soil particles and groups polymers (humin) in an aqueous solution (solvent). By using specified solvents, the preliminary treatment of separating soil particles and polymers is initiated. Secondarily, each structure of groups of soil particles is observed microscopically as a metal complex, and the combining method is accomplished by utilizing substitution based on various reactions (i.e. SN, SE, and SEAr type reactions) along with electron transfer in a solvent made of specified solutes. The substitution includes the rock forming function through the substitution of the hydrogen atom within the hydroxyl group of clay minerals as molecular components and the dehydration and dissociation function resulted from the binding structure of oxygen molecule O−2 and Al+3 as components of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the in-situ bioremediation of aquifers contaminated with chemicals by delivering a chemical degrading bacterial culture using a bacterial slurry delivery apparatus, which is designed to prevent backflow of soil and clogging of the apparatus, and a networked oxygen delivery system.

Abstract: Pollutants are extracted from sub-surface water using an aqueous solution of cyclodextrin and a vertical circulating well. Complexes of the pollutant and cyclodextrin are recovered from the bottom of the well. When the pollutant is volatile, the complexes are separated into pollutant and cyclodextrin by air stripping.

Abstract: A method of treating contaminants in soil and/or groundwater including adding a source of a peroxide and ozone to the in situ environment in amounts capable of producing reactive species sufficient to oxidize at least one of the contaminants without acidification of the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for high volume in-situ treatment of contaminated soil is a mobile vehicle with a chain trenching tool an excavator drums attached to the idler wheel to extend the width of soil cutting and increase the volume of soil being churned and treated in-situ. The drums may be arranged both for clock-wise and counter clock-wise rotation, and oriented to provide vertical lifting and swirling of the soil. The apparatus may include a hood disposed over the cutting drums to define a remediation chamber with ports for injecting high temperature air or chemical or biological remediation fluid into the soil. In a preferred embodiment, the hood has internal partitions that create a vapor recovery chamber outboard of the drums.

Abstract: Inexpensive, highly effective methods for the in-situ reduction of hexavalent chromium to the non-toxic trivalent oxidation state in soil and groundwater containing hexavalent chromium are provided, which may reduce hexavalent chromium concentration in soil to as low as 5 mg/L. The methods involve sampling soil comprising hexavalent chromium to determine a reaction amount of a reducing agent, providing a frame on a top surface of the soil, wetting the soil, spreading a reducing agent on the top surface of the soil, and flushing the soil with water to dissolve the reducing agent. The reducing agent may be a chemical agent, a biological agent, or a combination of chemical and biological agents. The biological reducing agents may include sludge from wastewater, return activated sludge, waste activated sludge, leachate from landfill or from composting operations, or compost material from municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, or solid waste operations.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a contaminated material contaminated with an organic compound. The method includes treating the contaminate with a chemical oxidation step and a bioremediation step. The chemical oxidation step includes treating the contaminate with the following: a transition metal in soluble form in combination with an isolated chelator of the transition metal, to form a transition metal:chelator complex; an oxidizing agent that provides a reactive free radical in the presence of the transition metal complex; and a buffering compound; the pH being maintained in a neutral range. The method of treatment further includes treating the contaminate with a microbial consortium including at least two species prior to or after the chemical oxidation step to enhance the remediation process.