The Integrated Remediation Technologies (IRT) Group at the EERC is a specialized technical group focusing on design and implementation of advanced remediation and treatment systems for cleanup of soil and/or groundwater contamination.

By integrating the most efficient contaminant recovery technologies with engineered in situ degradation processes, the IRT Group finds solutions to considerably reduce the time, labor, and costs required for site cleanup.

Innovation

The EERC has studied wastewaters from various coal gasification technologies, including Lurgi (Great Plains Synfuels Plant), British Lurgi (Scotland), KilnGas (East Alton, Illinois), Texaco, and the EERC fixed-bed slagging gasifier. In the mid-1980s, the EERC conducted treatment studies on these wastewaters, including solvent extraction, ammonia stripping, activated carbon treatment, activated sludge, cooling tower treatment, and many other chemical and physical processes.

Although there are many technologies available for site remediation, often the best ideas are developed while working on-site. For example, a new pressure-monitoring system and integrated telemetric control for the entire recovery and treatment system provide for operational flexibility and considerable labor reduction.

Capabilities

• Full-scale remediation system design and construction
  • Soil vapor extraction, bioventing, and air sparging
  • Vacuum-enhanced recovery/dual-phase extraction (DPE)
  • In situ reactive zones and permeable treatment barriers
  • Engineered bioremediation and monitored natural attenuation
  • Chemically and thermally enhanced technologies
• Feasibility assessment and pilot tests
• Site characterization and regulatory compliance monitoring and permitting
• Emergency response remediation system (ERRS): a mobile contaminant recovery system with integrated treatment units
• Life cycle economic evaluation for remedial alternatives.
• Field project support and soil, water, and air sampling.
• Groundwater resource engineering and aquifer management.
• Hydrogeology and hydraulic and geochemical modeling.

High-Efficiency Contaminant Recovery and In Situ Degradation

Working closely with all parties involved in the remedial process, the IRT provides cost-effective solutions starting from evaluation of the overall remediation strategy to full-scale design and site-specific implementation of the remedial technology selected.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction

The EERC utilizes the chemistry of water and carbon dioxide (CO₂) under pressurized and heated (super- and subcritical) conditions to extract and separate organic contaminants that are not efficiently extracted without the use of hazardous organic compounds. This method reduces the time it takes to extract compounds, uses less harmful solvents, and can be used over a broad range of pressures and temperatures.

Because the time required for removal of free-phase and highly concentrated dissolved-phase contaminants is critical to the life cycle design and economics of the subsequent remedial effort, the IRT uses advanced technologies for multiphase contaminant recovery, including mobile systems with integrated treatment for contaminated water and vapor recovered.

Unlike conventional injection, IRT's innovative vacuum-enhanced injectant distribution uses high-vacuum systems to control/support delivery of injected nutrients or reagents to the target zone for in situ contaminant degradation or chemical destruction. The IRT's mobile multipurpose injection systems provide for delivery of oxygen-saturated and nutrient-enriched water and chemical reagents in both liquid and gaseous form.

Apart from technological assets and experience, it is, however, the commitment and dedication of our staff and partners to high professional standards and quality results that have become our trademark.