THIS PAGE IS STILL

EQUIPMENT

  LABORATORY BENCH SCALE EQUIPMENT:

1)  4 - Glass Column Remediation Vessels

variable velocity pumps, temperature controlled, automated and instrumented

applications; treatability studies for bioremediation, soil washing, soil vapor extraction, transport studies and properties determination

begin here for most experiments; move to 2-D model cell once completed

2)  Biorespiration Flasks and Incubator
3)  Electrokinetic Remediation Reactor (Heavy Metals Removal)

  TWO-DIMENSIONAL-SCALE EQUIPMENT:

Experiments conducted in a two-dimensional (2-D), cross-sectional model cell will provide a bridge between one-dimensional column experiments and the mesoscale (pilot-scale) experiments.  The 2-D model cell is approximately 1 meter high by 2 meters long by 0.1 meters in thickness.  It is constructed from scratch-resistant Lucite to allow direct observation of flow and transport phenomena.  Quantitative observations will be made either through analysis of model cell images or through in-situ instrumentation, such as pressure transducer measurements.PICTUREAfter this phase is completed, move onto one of the two mesoscale experiments.

  MESOSCALE (Pilot-Scale) PROCESS EQUIPMENT:

It has been confirmed recently that field-scale transport and reaction processes can be accurately simulated using mesoscale laboratory experiments, thereby retaining both relevance to the field and controlled conditions for study (Lawrence, 1993). Vadose zone and saturated zone process can be simulated.

1)  9 ft diameter x 8 ft tall remediation tank

currently used for air sparging flow measurements; equipped with air blower, injection well and extraction manifold

radially symmetric

used to study well hydraulics

2)  24 ft wide x 24 ft long x 8 ft high subsurface remediation vessel

construction completed September 1996; waiting to be filled to conduct experiments, expected summer '97

monitoring for water table level, temperature, contaminant and nutrient concentrations

potential of studying well hydraulics on larger scale than remediation tank

will be used to assess effectiveness of remediation technologies - testing and developing

will possibly be used to study the effects of heterogeneity in the future

  INSTRUMENTATION CAPABILITY:

1)  gas chromatograph for water sample analysis of contaminantsPICTURE
2)  gas chromatograph for air sample analysis of contaminantsPICTURE
3)  two visible spectrophotometers for tracer monitoring

These are flow through cells
used to view breakthrough curves
in various experiments
and can measure
the absorbency or the transmission of visible light.

  BIOREACTOR FACILITY:

0.1 L constant temperature, orbital shaker table incubator




This is where the microorganisms begin their life;
can control the speed at which the table shakes.


10-Liter bioreactor (BioFlow 3000, New Brunswick Scientific)





This produces cultures of microorganisms;
a larger number can be grown here than in the orbital shaker.


centrifugePICTURE
This is used to remove all the liquid and other things (proteins, etc) from the microorganisms.


biorespiration flasks

phase contrast microscope



This is used to count and view
the microorganisms to determine if they are motile or not (can swim by self).



monitoring for dissolved O_2, pH, temperature, and agitation

fluidized bed activated carbon bioreactor



This system was donated by US Filter/Envirex.
It is used to remove organics from water streams;
will possibly be used to clean up wastewater from the mesoscale remediation vessel before disposal.
Uses absorption onto the activated carbon
and aerobic (requiring oxygen) biodegradation
by inoculating the microorganisms on the surface of the carbon to remove the contaminants.
A closer picture of the microorganisms is seen here:






The far column on the left is where the activated carbon and microorganisms reside.
The process flows from bottom up and is allowed to recycle through the carbon
for up to 40 times for complete removal of contaminants.
The triangular shaped column on the right is where oxygen enters the system through the reaeration loop.
This system is essentially emissionless and allows for calibration.

OTHER EQUIPMENT

water purification system  This system allows for ultra pure water


autoclave  This sterilizes all equipment associated with the bioreactor facility by the use of steam and pressure


sieve shaker

---

You are number to visit this page since April 19, 1997.

---