Bioremediation Projects
BioWorld Bioremediation Treatment uses the most innovative biotechnology to provide a cost-effective and ecological algae treatment for ponds, lakes, canals and more.
Advanced BioTech developed our exclusive BioWorld Hydrocarbon Treatment more than 30 years ago, and we’ve helped clean up countless spills worldwide, both major and minor. We’ve selected a few representative projects below so that you can see how we use BioWorld Products in the field to clean spills and restore the environment. [For more details on how the BioWorld Treatment works, please visit our main Bioremediation page.]
Project #1025
Crude Oil Sludge — Drilling Waste
Oil sludge (over 25 years old) from a drilling waste holding pond was provided to BioWorld for bench scale testing to demonstrate the feasibility of BioWorld Bioremediation Technology.
The initial Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration of the sludge was 76,000 ppm. Samples designated untreated and treated were placed in separate glass aquariums with the same amount of distilled water in each aquarium.
BioWorld Bioenhancement and Augmentation Technology consisting of Liquid Optimizer and Hydrocarbon Digesting Microbes were added several times to the treated sludge aquarium.
After three months, the water from each aquarium was allowed to evaporate, leaving a solid material behind. Chemical analysis of the untreated and treated sludge samples indicated TPH concentrations of 75,000 ppm and 31,000 ppm, respectively. This corresponds to a 60% reduction in TPH concentration using BioWorld Bioremediation Technology.
Project #564
Oil/Water Separator
A tractor repair facility uses a 600-gallon recirculating oil/water separator and steam cleaner system to pressure wash tractors. Oily wastewater determined to be hazardous collects in the separator system.
BioWorld Liquid Optimizer and Hydrocarbon Digesting Microbes were added to treat the oil. After three days, breakdown and digestion of the petroleum hydrocarbons was apparent. On-going weekly treatments continued to digest the oily waste into non-hazardous substances.
Project #812
Mixed Transportation Waste
A tank transport facility generates wastewater containing mixed vegetable oil and petroleum hydrocarbons. The wastewater collects in a concrete-lined pit.
BioWorld Liquid Optimizer, Hydrocarbon Digesting Microbes and General Blend Microbes were added several times to treat the mixed waste. Digestion of the mixed waste was apparent and a reduction in TPH and Oil & Grease concentrations was verified.
Project #1334
Contaminated Groundwater Cleanup
A site in Burlingame, California had groundwater contaminated with free product (gasoline) that required clean up. An unpleasant odor was observed at the monitoring wells.
A small quantity of BioWorld Hydrocarbon Degrading Microbes and BioWorld Enhancement solutions were introduced directly into the groundwater monitoring wells to make contact with the free product. The project was reevaluated after 2 months. The odors were no longer present and no free product was detected.
The site has been signed-off by the San Mateo County Department of Environmental Health Agency.
Project #772
Crude Oil In Irrigation Water
A California citrus farmer was irrigating his trees with groundwater pumped from his well into a two-acre holding pond for filtering prior to watering the trees. Unfortunately, he discovered that the wells were also pulling up crude oil that had been seeping into the aquifer from another source. The oil was contaminating his holding pond and, putting his trees at risk of contamination as well.
After contacting us, we began applying our BioWorld Hydrocarbon Treatment to the pond surface as part of a regular maintenance program. The oil was soon no longer visible in the pond, and his filtration back-flush system showed no indications of petroleum hydrocarbons.
Project #1162
Surface Oil and Algae In Irrigation Pond and System
A ranching operation has several irrigation reservoirs containing surface oil and algae. The oil and algae cause problems with pump clogging in the irrigation system.
The reservoirs were treated with BioWorld Liquid Optimizer, Algae Competing Microbes and Hydrocarbon Digesting Microbes on a weekly basis for a few months. The oil and algae were eliminated from the reservoirs allowing the pumps and irrigation system to work properly.
Project #1907
Oil Contamination of Soil at Construction Site
A construction facility contained above-ground diesel tanks and waste oil drums.
Over the years, the tanks and drums leaked resulting in soil contamination. Approximately 500 cubic yards of soil was stockpiled in preparation for bioremediation. After our biotreatability study confirmed that the contaminated soil supported using the BioWorld Treatment to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons. We put our product to work and reduced the diesel and oil soil contamination to acceptable regulatory levels.
Project #1095
Contaminated Soil in South America
A petroleum processing facility in Colombia treated 200 cubic meters of crude oil contaminated soil with BioWorld Bioremediation Technology. The initial total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration was greater than 60,000 ppm.
BioWorld Bioremediation Enhancer and Hydrocarbon Digesting Microbes were added to the soil 3 times over a two-month period. Product cost was low per cubic meter compared to other methods of cleanup. Within 2 months, the TPH concentration reached less than 10,000 ppm and the project was considered a success.
Project #10081
MTBE-Contaminated Groundwater at Service Station
Project Situation
- Ground Water contamination of gasoline containing MTBE – Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether and TBA – Tert-Butyl Alcohol.
- Pump and treat method was chosen as the best available technology for this project
Products/Technology Used
- Product # 75XXX – BioWorld Bioremediation Enhancer
- Product # 32XXX – BioWorld Hydrocarbon Digester Microbes
BioWorld teamed up with an Engineering Firm that combined the equipment with the BioWorld Bioremediation Technology.
Results
Sample chain of custody was completely handled by the service station property owner – a major oil company. Results taken at third week of BioWorld treatment – retention time of 8 hours on a constant flow system.
Influent
MTBE@140 PPB
TBA@430 PPB
Outflow sample after Bioremediation in aerated tank:
MTBE@3.9 PPB
TBA@110 PPB
Outflow sample after addtional treatment unit:
MTBE Non-Detected
TBA Non-Detected
NOTE: Prior to Advanced BioTech being applied, an enzyme product was evaluated with a 30% reduction in MTBE and TBA. The enzyme product was 3 to 4 times the cost of BioWorld Treatments. The enzyme product required flow to pass through 3 stages of filters that would clog and release the MTBE and TBA.
Bioremediation Case Studies
Click on a link below to find more examples of bioremediation projects we have completed over the years.
[PDF documents open in new window.]