Biosolvent NAPL Remediation (SOLV-IT®)

SOLV-IT® cosolvent NAPL remediation is EcoVac Services’ patented process combining dual phase extraction multi phase extraction with cosolvent  surfactant flushing .  This  NAPL remediation technology targets sites impacted with either light or dense non-aqueous phase liquids (i.e. LNAPL remediation or DNAPL remediation), possessing extremely high viscosity.  The technology is ideal for the effective recovery of free phase viscous LNAPL remediation or DNAPL remediation such as MGP coal tar, creosote, crude oil, and No. 6 (bunker) fuel oil. 

EcoVac Services conducts treatability studies prior to field implementation in order to determine the applicability of SOLV-IT®   NAPL remediation and to develop site-specific cosolvents biosolvents and surfactants. SOLV-IT® NAPL remediation treatability studies address the more viscous LNAPL remediation and DNAPL remediation such as coal tar, creosote, crude oil, and No. 6 (bunker) fuel oil.  DNAPL  LNAPL removal rates as high as 95% have been achieved in the treatability tests. EcoVac Services formulates an original cosolvent biosolvent mixtures (EcoVac Formulated Cosolvent - EFC^TM).  EFC^TM is a blend of biodegradable vegetable biosolvent and nonionic surfactant which is designed to attain maximum contaminant recovery from the subsurface.  The SOLV-IT®  NAPL remediation process is often combined with the SURFAC® surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation process; thus, two studies are often commingled to mimic the field process.  Geochemical compatibility and one-dimensional column studies are included within the treatability study process.  Treatability testing requires sediment, free product, and groundwater collected from the specific site.

The SOLV-IT^® NAPL remediation processfacilitates the removal of viscous NAPL  DNAPL from the subsurface by the partitioning of the EFC^TM cosolvent biosolvent into the NAPL / DNAPL, therefore reducing the viscosity of the NAPL DNAPL.  The EFS^TM surfactant acts as the mobilizing surfactant once its hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) is adjusted to the cosolvent NAPL mixture for NAPL remediation.  

Minimal use of EFC^TM cosolvents  followed by dilute EFS^TM surfactants not only saves chemical and material costs but also dramatically shortens project timetables as compared to the other conventional technologies.

The ability to effectively remove viscous NAPL DNAPL by the SOLV-IT® NAPL remediation and SURFAC® surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation processes is a breakthrough technology for environmental groundwater remediation that can provide a cost-effective in situ alternative for rapid closure while also reducing the environmental footprint of the project.