BiobutaneTM Approved for 21J Reimbursement

After 18 months of planning, including several rounds of technology review and commentary by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Region 7, and the public, GBI installed Butane Biostimulation Technologies in a pilot study at a Superfund Site in Iowa, to remediate a chlorinated solvent plume.

The site is the location of a former industrial facility that had a release of over 900 kilograms of PCE, TCE, 1,1,1-TCA, vinyl chloride and 1,2-DCE. The site geology is composed of sand, silt and some clay, with an aquifer, the local source of drinking water, 100 feet deep.

Due to the proximity of the town's well-fields located downgradient of the migrating plume, the site owners, regulatory officials and local residents favor taking an aggressive approach to remediation.

A 4-week laboratory biofeasibility study was conducted last summer, which confirmed the presence of butane-utilizing bacteria at the site. The bacteria also proved capable of cometabolizing the chlorinated compounds.

Based on the results, GBI and HDR Engineering, the client's consultant, then designed a one year pilot study for the site. In February, GBI installed one Butane Injection Panel and three injection wells to treat a one acre area of the 28 acre site. The objectives of the pilot study include, in addition to technology effectiveness, the determination of: the radii of influence of injected butane and air, the ability to obtain requisite distribution of butane and air, and the optimum injection rates and injection schedules. With the system now in its third month of operation, preliminary data analyses have yielded encouraging results. The Butane Injector 2000 can operate with nominal maintenance under extreme conditions of heat and cold and is well suited to the often harsh climate of Iowa.

GBI Performs SVE/Air Sparge Pilot Test for Louis Berger

During March, GBI performed an SVE/Air Sparge pilot test at a petroleum contaminated site in Providence, RI. The test determined radii of influence of SVE/air sparging wells in sandy/fill material soils. GBI mobilized its SVE skid, air compressor and laboratory to the site for the two day test. The study was conducted in conjunction with a Natural Attenuation Evaluation of the site, also performed by GBI. SVE/Air Sparging is being considered as a possible remedial alternative, in addition to Monitored Natural Attenuation at the site.

GBI News Notes

GBI Environmental Health & Safety and Quality Assurance Programs meet prequalification requirements for projects with Bechtel Jacobs LLC
GBI one of 13 companies to receive RFP from Bechtel Jacobs/ U.S. Department of Energy for chlorinated solvent cleanup at 74 acre Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Ohio
Government Relations Advocate, John Tyson of Peyser Associates, Washington, D.C., attends Bechtel Jacobs pre-proposal conference in Ohio with GBI
GBI installs Butane Injection System at chlorinated solvent site in Paoli, Pennsylvania
GBI implements anaerobic/aerobic cycling process for PCE/TCE remediation at Paoli site

Butane Biostimulation Technologies is a trademark of Global BioSciences, Inc.
Butane Injection System is a trademark of Global BioSciences, Inc.