Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
will determine the practicality of the emerging recombinant technologies for
remediation of environmental hazards.
The success of biodegradation may also be hampered by low bioavail-
ability of the contaminant, mass transfer limitations of the electron acceptor,
and low temperature. In addition, most feed soils will require some degree
of size reduction, usually to a greater extent than that required with incin-
eration. Particles must be small enough that they can be suspended by the
reactor's agitators, and gravel may jam agitator blades. Soils with large
amounts of oily or greasy waste have been found to be problematic in slurry
treatments. Because these wastes are hydrophobic, dispersants must be used
to keep agglomerations of the waste from forming. Even so, the oils are often
in large droplets with fairly low surface area with respect to their volume,
so that microbial attack is hindered. In addition, the oils will adhere to the
sides of the reactors and to the agitation equipment, often blocking air
nozzles. Further physicochemical and engineering research is needed to
evaluate and improve or better design technological processes.
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