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Treatment of NORM-Contaminated Sludge & Soil from the Petroleum Industry PDO NORM Workshop

Treatment of NORM-Contaminated Sludge & Soil from the Petroleum Industry PDO NORM Workshop February 21-23, 2005. Proxima Cancorp Petrozyme Technologies EnviroGem. Contents. Introduction Approach to the treatment of hydrocarbon & NORM contamination

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Treatment of NORM-Contaminated Sludge & Soil from the Petroleum Industry PDO NORM Workshop

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  1. Treatment of NORM-Contaminated Sludge & Soil from the Petroleum Industry PDO NORM Workshop February 21-23, 2005

  2. Proxima CancorpPetrozyme TechnologiesEnviroGem

  3. Contents • Introduction • Approach to the treatment of hydrocarbon & NORM contamination • Treatment of hydrocarbon contaminants – Stage 1 • Treatment of NORM • Stage 2 – Solubilization • Stage 3 – Filtration • Stage 4 – Polymerization • Treatment objectives • Proposed pilot & full scale implementation • Conclusion

  4. Dr. Ajay Singh • Director of R&D, Petrozyme Technologies • Adjunct Professor University of Waterloo • Specialization - microbial biotechnology • Published in excess of 120 research papers • Holds 5 patents • Co-authored and edited 5 books related to biotechnology, fermentations, bioremediation and phytoremediation • Developed biological waste treatment processes related to the petroleum industry • International experience (US, Canada, India, Germany, Japan, Venezuela, Mexico, Saudi Arabia)

  5. Dr. Perichiyappan Senthilnathan • Technical Director of EnviroGem Inc. • Consulting advisor to various industries for water and wastewater treatment including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck, Uniroyal, Exxon and Cargill • Dr. Senthil is the expert in waste water treatment and has isolated and removed metals & radionuclides from water using selected membrane filters • 30 years in waste water treatment

  6. Peter Cheong • Principal, Proxima Cancorp Inc. • Director & Founder of Petrozyme Asia Ltd. – currently actively bidding on all major petroleum sludge/contaminated soil remediation jobs in Asia & Middle East • Chartered Accountant – PwC, E&W • Assembled a team of scientists to provide a solution for NORM • Role – project & cost management

  7. Treatment Rationale • Had to look out of the box for a more cost effective solution • The risk of NORM comes from small particles of radioactive metals • Treat the cause not the symptom • Solution had to isolate the NORM and then manage along with other metals

  8. Treatment Process • An advanced four-stage integrated bio-physico-chemical process to treat NORM-contaminated oily sludge & soil from the petroleum industry • Each of the stages in this process has been field proven

  9. Treated solids Disposal Dewatering NORM Contaminated soil Oil Sorption & Separation (4 - 6 h) NORM Waste water Wastewater Ultrafiltration Nanofiltration Reverse Osmosis Bioreactor (10 – 12 d) NORM Solubilization NORM Oily sludge Membrane rejects Clean water NORM-free Water for reuse Air Microbes Nutrients Water Polymerization of Radioactive residues NORM Containment Sealing Disposal Water way, Drains, Recycling Four-Stage Process Flow

  10. Stage 1 – Removal of hydrocarbons • biological process for oily sludges • physico-chemical process for hydrocarbon-contaminated soils • bioreactors and mixers will provide added shielding from NORM for the operators • water is an integral part of both these processes

  11. Stage 1 – oily sludges • subjected to bio-treatment in a slurry bioreactor using the patented “Petrozyme Process” • microorganisms, a blend of proprietary nutrients and optimized air flow facilitate accelerated biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons • result is a >90% TPH removal in 8 to 12 days.

  12. Example of Bioreactors

  13. Stage 1 – contaminated soils • for low oil-contaminated soils (<8% TPH), “Remsep” is used • patented 2-phase remediation & separation process • hydrocarbons are separated using hydrophobic sorbents & mobilizing agents in mixers • removal of >90% of TPH in treatment periods of 4 to 6 hours.

  14. Stage 1 – Remsep

  15. Stage 2 - Solubilization • solubilization done in tanks • process proven on uranium, radium, thorium & strontium • proprietary list of reagents containing selected ligands are used to solubilize radioactive & inorganic elements • challenge is to ensure no reaction among reagents • treated sludge/soil is dewatered & solids are sent to a suitable landfill

  16. Stage 3 - Filtration • filtrate containing radioactive elements & metals from stage 2 are subjected to a series of ultrafiltration, nano/diafiltration & a high-pressure high-rejection reverse osmosis (RO) system • proven on uranium, radium, thorium & xanthium • residues from nano/diafiltration & RO systems containing concentrated radioactive high-molecular weight elements & metals are collected in residue storage tanks • Permeate from RO unit free of radioactive elements is either discharged to local sewer/water bodies or re-used in the upstream processes

  17. Stage 4 – Polymerization & containment • contents of residue storage tank are water reduced • polymerize residues • polymers are stable indefinitely • material is contained within non-reactive Uranium containers or metal drums & sealed • ultimate disposal in secured landfills

  18. Stabilization/Containment Solutions • Superior qualities in: • Shielding operators • Isolating radionuclides • No structural damage from radiation (gamma) • Retaining radio isotopes • No biodegradation • No leaching issues • Significant reduction in final landfill cost • Process cost – US$1,200 to $1,500 per ton* plus landfill cost of NORM free solid material from the Petrozyme/Remsep Processes * Based on 10k m3 of sludge/contaminated soil

  19. Treatment Objectives • meet the actionable level set by the International Atomic Energy Agency • isotopic activity in treated solids & effluent not to exceed 0.5 Bq/g for Ra226 • show process has successfully isolated radionuclides and retained radio isotopes • based on standards set by US EPA, Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Council

  20. Proposed pilot • demonstrate that petroleum hydrocarbons can be effectively degraded or removed from sludges & contaminated soils • NORM present in sludges & soils can be effectively treated/stabilized using our approach • approach is scalable • length & cost of pilot

  21. Full Scale Implementation • JV with local company • Oil co options: • We supply all equipment • Except for Bioreactors & NORM related equipment, Oil co supplies some or all equipment (Capex)

  22. Conclusion • Process addresses, isolates & treats hazardous materials (toxic organic compounds, metals & radionuclides) • Technically advanced • User friendly • Efficient • Cost effective • No legacy issues

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