EcoVac Services Patented Surfactant Amended EFR®

(Trade Name SURFAC®)

SURFAC® is EcoVac Services’ patented process combining MPE/DPE with surfactant injection. This technology targets sites with light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) or high concentrations of their dissolved constituents. This approach incorporates the use of non-ionic, non-toxic and biodegradable proprietary surfactants combined with high-vacuum multi-phase extraction (EFR®).

The EFR® technology is implemented in advance of surfactant injection to create vacuum and hydraulic gradients at the injection points, creating an EFR® controlled gradient for proper placement and distribution of the surfactant. This approach allows for maximum lateral and vertical distribution of surfactant to maximize contact with the contaminant, facilitating subsequent extraction of the contaminant using the EFR® process. High pressure injection, which can result in plume displacement, is not a component of the SURFAC® process.

Surfactants facilitate contaminant removal primarily by means of enhancing mobility of the contaminant through the subsurface by reducing interfacial tension. Contaminant solubility may also increase, by the formation of micro-emulsions, which are subsequently “captured” (generally within 16 to 48 hours) by the EFR® capture process (described below). Aerobic biodegradation is enhanced during the SURFAC® process, as the surfactants are considered a co-metabolite to aerobic hydrocarbon digesting microbes.

Following surfactant injection, EFR® is utilized to “capture” the mobilized contaminant, surfactant, and the micro-emulsions formed during this process. Multiple spaced EFR® capture events may be implemented to allow for natural vertical flushing by water table rebound and seasonal water table fluctuation.

© 2006 EcoVac Services, Inc.