Biocell Application Guidance
Abstract
Biocell technology is an innovative method for treating small quantities of soils contaminated with low to intermediate concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons, which are usually found on Navy installations. The technology involves loading petroleum-contaminated soils into a dumpster or container, and stimulating aerobic microbial activity through aeration. Adding moisture and nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enhances microbial activity. The microbial activity degrades the petroleum-based constituents adsorbed to soil particles, thus reducing the concentrations of these contaminants. The use of biocells to reduce the concentration of petroleum constituents in excavated soils through the use of aerobic biodegradation has been successfully demonstrated. The Army's Waterways Experiment Station (WES) developed a 10-yd(3) biocell that was tested at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California in October 1996. A significant part of the WES research was aimed at simplifying the technology for an activity to build a 40-yd(3) system using readily available commercial materials. Based on WES's design and the successful demonstration of a 10-yd(3) biocell, NFESC has developed this document to provide Navy installations a general overview of the biocell technology, design, operation and maintenance procedures, and economics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA351592
Entities
People
- D. Pal
- J. Trotsky
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center