The treatment of petroleum contamination using injectable activated carbon amendments is increasing in popularity. Here we present a new activated carbon-based amendment, PetroFix Remediation Fluid, that combines micron-sized activated carbon with nitrate (NO3-) and sulfate (SO42-) salts serving as electron acceptors. Unlike other forms of granular or powdered activated carbon, PetroFix remediation fluid easily injects into high flux zones of an aquifer using low pressure. Once in place, the product promotes removal of petroleum from the groundwater by adsorption onto the activated carbon followed by stimulated anaerobic, syntrophic biodegradation of sorbed hydrocarbons.

The physical properties and optimal application scenarios of PetroFix™ will be discussed. Recent case study data will be presented, including treatment of a former bulk petroleum storage facility. Samples from this facility were monitored for standard chemical and geochemical parameters, as well as by QuantArray® Petro (Microbial Insights) to show robust evidence the hydrocarbons are anaerobically biodegraded after carbon sorption. Most BTEX and TPH-G dropped from a combined high of 37,080 μg/L to non-detect in the first six months. Diesel range organics dropped from 17,800 μg/L to 250 μg/L by 6 months. These results indicate that PetroFix is a very capable solution for a variety of hydrocarbon sites.

Primary Author / Conference Presenter:
Todd Herrington
Global PetroFix Product Manager
Regenesis
San Clemente, California, USA

website: https://regenesis.com

Co-Authors:
Paul Erickson, Regenesis
Steve Sittler, Patriot Engineering
Dora Taggart, Microbial Insights