Low Cost Reactive Barrier for Sites Contaminated with Radionuclides and Heavy Metals--Altex Technologies Corporation, 650 Nuttman Street, Suite 114, Santa Clara, CA 95054-2620; (408) 982-2303
Dr. John Kelly, Principal Investigator
Dr. Mehdi Namazian, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82526
Amount: $74,996

The underground migration of toxic and radionuclide substances from contaminated sites threatens clean water resources. Permeable reactive barriers that surround a contaminated site are useful. However, costs for these barriers are high because of the high cost of adsorbents. Low cost adsorbents are needed to realize the full potential of reactive barriers. Low cost activated carbon (LCA), derived from wastes, has been identified as both effective and low cost. It is estimated that LCAC would be 45% lower in cost than commercial activated carbons. LCAC is a granulated activated carbon capable of adsorbing radionuclide and heavy metals in addition to a broad range of organic pollutants from water. A proprietary chemical surface treatment will be used to enhance LCAC adsorption of hydrocarbons and toxic metals from groundwater. Activated carbon with this surface treatment has shown excellent resistance to both leaching and carbonate fouling, important attributes for barrier applications. The objective of this project is to show the technical and economic feasibility of preparing the special adsorbent for use in reactive barrier configurations. Phase I will prepare the material and test its adsorption capability in a simulated barrier configuration. An economic analysis on material production will be combined with performance test data to show the technical and economic feasibility of the product. In Phase II, a reactive barrier for soils will be prepared and tested.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The multi-layer permeable reactive barrier should provide a flexible and cost effective in-situ ground water remediation technology for contaminated sites. Tens of millions of pounds of this material could be produced each year. Due to the estimated 45% lower cost for this material, cleanup costs would be reduced substantially.