preloader
Bioremediation

Clean Up of Zvulun Beach Sand

Project:
Clean-Up of Sand Beach
Client:
Government
Location:
Zvulun Beach - Israel
Our Role:
Utilization of the BPC technology for cleaning of an oil-contaminated beach
Share:

Introduction

The BioPetroClean (BPC) technology was successfully implemented for cleaning of a sand beach, contaminated with oil. In August 1991, approximately 100 tons of heavy crude oil was accidently spilled about 3 km north of Zvulun Beach between Haifa and Akko, in Israel. In order to optimize the solution, a preliminary pilot trial was performed for 25 days, followed by a full implementation clean up, for a period of 4 months. By the end of the treatment project the BPC biological treatment led to a 88% decrease of the residual oil.

BPC’s Technology

BioPetroClean’s innovative biological method for treatment of contaminated water and soil is an elegant and simple way to overcome the existing challenges of currently common biological methods. The method is based on maintaining a pre-selected bacterial “cocktail” at a stable concentration, while monitoring the system with a fully automated control unit.

Pilot Results

As a preliminary step, a field trial was performed for 25 days on an oil contaminated sandy beach between Haifa and Acre, Israel. Initially, two plots of 50 m2 were selected, one for the experiment and the second to serve as a control. The experimental plot was introduced to BPC’s pre selected bacterial cocktail and a special mixture of fertilizers. Throughout the process the sand was watered from the adjacent sea, and tilled. The control plot was left undisturbed. The initial concentration of hydrocarbon contamination in the sand was 3.8 mg/g sand in the upper 10 cm. By the fourth day, 30% of the hydrocarbons were degraded. The biodegradation continued, reaching 50% on day 9 and 84.5% on day 25 when the treatment was completed. The control plot showed an 18% degradation by day 9 which remained relatively constant until day 25. Gas chromatographic analyses of the alkane fraction of the extracted sand, sampled on day 0 and day 25 are summarized in the table 1.

BPC Pilot Treatment of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Sand
Day Biologically Treated Plot Non-treated Plot
TPH (mg/g sand) Degradation (%) TPH (mg/g sand) Degradation (%)
0 3.80 0 2.30 0
4 2.76 30 2.53 0
9 1.89 50 1.88 18
21 1.40 63 1.94 15.6
25 0.59 84.5 1.95 15.6

Table 1


Extractions with CCl4 gave similar results i.e. approximately 85% of the hydrocarbon was removed from the sand in 25 days. The C20-C30 fraction was most abundant at day 0 (221 mg/kg sand) and fell to 13mg/kg sand by day 25, a 94% removal. Overall there was an 86% degradation of the alkanes, similar to the data obtained by dry weight.

GC Analyses of Extracted Sand
Type of Extract Extracted Hydrocarbon Residual
(mg/kg sand)
Day-0 Day-25
Total CCl4 Extracts 3138 474
Total Pentane Extracts 3800 590
C14-C18 23.7 4.7
C20-C32 221 13
C36-C40 132 35
C14-C40 377 53

* The GC analyses were performed by the Israel Institute of Petroleum & Energy

Full Implementation Results

Following the pilot results that indicated that the BPC technology is applicable for bioremediation of the contaminated soil, a full scale treatment was conducted. The clean-up was of 30,000 m2 which were treated essentially as in the field trial. As the treatment was conducted during winter time, it is worth noting that the temperatures were around 5-10 C throughout the process. The graph bellow summarizes the performance of the bioremediation process. Based on the results presented in the above graph, the BPC bioremediation process yielded an oil degradation of 88% after 4 months.

Graph 1: Microbial clean-up of 30,000 m2 beach line north to Haifa, Israel.

Summary

Crude oil of approximately 100 tons was accidentally spilled in the beach line between Haifa and Acre, Israel. A preliminary field trial resulted with 84.5% oil degradation of a 50 m2 sand plot, after 25 days. This trial was followed by a high scale implementation. The Utilization of BPC technology on 30,000 m2 of contaminated sand beach yielded 88% degradation (even during winter time), in a 4 months period. Visual examination of the beach sand, following the treatment, in addition to the analytical data, indicate that BPC’s technology is an applicable approach for sand bioremediation.

The Valuable Contribution of BPC

BPC’s solution for treating the produced water is highly advantageous for the following reasons:

  • High efficiency- The BPC-ACT treatment of produced water can bring highly contaminated water to a purity level that allows for its treatment to the RO. The treatment process is completed with a relatively short retention time.
  • Stable in the face of quality upsets – unlike other technologies, BPC-ACT maintains exceptional operation regardless of fluctuating conditions in incoming water quality.
  • Cost savings- BPC-ACT requires far less manpower for operation and maintenance, as well as fewer upsets in treatment quality.
  • Simple implementation into current infrastructure- the retrofit process is based almost entirely on currently available infrastructure, thus considerably reducing the time and costs required for the system’s installation.
  • Simple operation- the system is completely automated, leading to simple and straightforward operation and eliminating the need for highly skilled operators.

Summary

BPC offers a simple and efficient solution for upgrading old effluent treatment systems to a level that will allow for safe recycling or release of water, as well as lower overall costs and less maintenance. The BPC-ACT solution can easily be integrated into currently existing infrastructure, resulting in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment. The retrofit process is quick and relatively painless, and leads to a superior a more stable means of effluent treatment.

Optimization Statistics

From the designers and engineers who are creating the next generation of web and mobile experiences, to anyone putting a website together for the first time. We provide elegant solutions that set new standards for online publishing.

Digital technology has made our world more transparent and interconnected, posing new challenges and opportunities for every business. A holistic, user-centric perspective is what truly sets one apart. together for the first time. We provide elegant solutions.

From the designers and engineers who are creating the next generation of web and mobile experiences, to anyone putting a website together for the first time. We provide elegant solutions that set new standards for online publishing.

We Will Be Useful to You

From the designers and engineers who are creating the next generation of web and mobile experiences, to anyone putting a website together for the first time.

Digital technology has made our world more transparent and interconnected, posing new challenges and opportunities for every business. As your budget progresses and evolves, continue referring to your SMART objectives. Stay focused and remember your goals – they will always inform what your next step will be!

From the designers and engineers who are creating the next generation of web and mobile experiences, to anyone putting a website together for the first time. We provide elegant solutions that set new standards for online publishing.

As your budget progresses and evolves, continue referring to your SMART objectives. Stay focused and remember your goals – they will always inform what your next step will be!