Innovative Remediation Technology Development

PNNL has an impressive track record developing techniques and technologies to address complex, difficult to solve environmental problems. We are uniquely equipped with the necessary interdisciplinary expertise, facilities, and tools to conduct all phases of site investigation and remediation and have a wide array of experience in innovative remediation technology development, pilot scale demonstration and full-scale application.

Some of the innovative technologies developed at PNNL include:

Permeable Reactive Barrier composed of Zero-Valent Iron formed by Injection of Micron-Size Iron Particles for remediation of reducible contaminants such as chlorinated hydrocarbons (TCE, PCE, TCA, carbon tetrachloride, etc.), chromate, and uranium.
In-Situ Redox Manipulation is to create a reducing permeable reactive barrier in-situ by injecting a solution of sodium dithionite that reduces ferric iron available in the aquifer to ferrous iron, which subsequently reduces contaminants . This approach is particularly well suited for chromate and has been successfully deployed at several DOE, DOD and commercial sites.
Reactive Gas Treatment for Vadose Zone Cleanup is a technology that is applicable for treatment of vadose zone soils . In this technology, a series of wells are used to treat a contaminated area of the vadose zone to destroy or immobilize contaminants in the vadose zone. A number of successful field deployments of this technology have been conducted for immobilizing chromate contaminated soils using hydrogen sulfide gas. Other reactive gases such as ozone can be used for oxidizable organic contaminants, such as hydrocarbons, certain chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides, and explosives (e.g. TNT, RDX).
Gas Permeable Tubing for Reactive Gas Delivery adds reactive gases to the saturated zone and creates a permeable reactive zone or barrier. As described above, both reductants and oxidants can be used to target a wide range of contaminants.
Reactive Well technology modifies the typical groundwater well construction by replacing the filter pack sands with absorbents, bio-amendments, oxidants or reductants to form a selective reactive barrier around the well that would detoxify or stabilize targeted contaminants that pass through the filter pack during pumping.