Method for treating reducible compound residues using iron-containing bioreactor

US12077461B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Heather Marie Knotek-Smith · Vicksburg, US
• David Smith · North Hinksey, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 2017
• Grant date: Sep 3, 2024
• Expiry date: Sep 30, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C02F2203/006
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An iron containing bioreactor for treating explosive compounds and other organics in contaminated surface water is disclosed. The bioreactor can be located either on-ground or in-ground at a location across which contaminated surface water flows. In one configuration the reactor is made up of (i) indigenous microbes, (ii) acetate, (iii) a low density iron-containing bed, and contains anaerobic zones in at least one portion of the flowpath. The reactor reduces the concentration of explosive compounds to below 10 ppb and also maintains this explosive compound reduction level for a period of at least one year without replenishing the microbes or iron.