BioEnhance In Situ Bioreactor (ISBR)

Bio Enhance’s In Situ Bioreactor (ISBR) Technology now available directly through Microbial Insights:

SUSTAINED BIOAUGMENTATION OF CHLORINATED SOLVENTS, PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS, AND 1,4-DIOXANE: A UNIQUE REMEDIAL ALTERNATIVE

HOW IT WORKS:

BioEnhance In Situ Bio Reactors (ISBRs) are novel in-well bio-remedial systems that produce sustained bio augmentation. The ISBRs are well-documented to induce positive shifts in microbial growth and corresponding chemical reductions.  This technology has been used as both a source zone, as well as a barrier remedial strategy.

BioEnhance promotes the growth and transport of indigenous microbial organisms into the surrounding formation to stimulate and increase the biodegradation process. The BioEnhance/ISBR treatment approach relies on the use of Bio-Sep® beads as its medium for microbial growth and support. Bio-Sep® beads provide an incredibly larger amount of surface area (~600 m2/g) that can be readily and rapidly colonized with high densities of microorganisms in groundwater. These microorganisms are subsequently released when the carrying capacity of the beads (> 1.0E+08 cells/bead) is reached. The circulation element through the ISBR, where contaminated groundwater is pulled in from the bottom of the ISBR, passes through the Bio-Sep® medium and exits into the formation allowing for healthy microbes from within the ISBR to migrate into the well column and into the formation beyond the well to further promote the bio-degradation of the residual petroleum hydrocarbons or chlorinated solvents in the aquifer. Thus, the beads can act as a continuous source of degraders for release in the aquifer environment. BioEnhance then treats both groundwater flowing through and around the wellbore as well as bioaugmenting the aquifer with degrading microorganisms that are adapted to the in situ aquifer environment.

In anaerobic applications the ISBR’s enhance reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents by culturing and disseminating Dehalococcoides (DHC) and other reductive dechlorinating microbes. These ISBRs provide a continuous supply of microorganisms already adapted to indigenous aquifer conditions to expedite the remedial process.

ISBR DESIGN SPECIFICS INCLUDE:

• Designed to fit in a standard 2 inch and 4 inch scheduled 40 well
• The packed-bed bioreactor contains Bio-Sep® beads and is open for fluid flow at the top and bottom.
• Can be used to enhance either aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
  • Aerobic: Air sparging into the bottom of the packed bed (from a surface compressor) provides oxygen to enhance aerobic biodegradation and creates air lift for circulation of groundwater.
  • Anaerobic: Nitrogen gas from a surface compressed gas source is used to provide gas-lift circulation in the ISBR.
• Configured for continuous injection of nutrients from a surface source as needed to maintain the growth and reproduction of the microbes.
• Can be used to transfer adapted indigenous microbial populations from well to well or site to site.
• Specifically designed to use Bio-Trap® samplers within the ISBR and down-gradient to monitor the effects on populations of degraders and maximize performance.
• BioEnhance is an extension of the Bio-Trap® samplers which have been used successfully for decades to provide converging lines of evidence to evaluate bioremediation as a treatment mechanism and direct site management activities.