Fast and cost-effective combined remediation technology for the elimination of chlorinated and other hydrocarbons from soil

Project Information

GroundCLeaner

Grant agreement ID: 663792

DOI

10.3030/663792

Project closed

EC signature date 9 February 2015

Start date 1 January 2015

End date 31 March 2015

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

IEG - TECHNOLOGIE GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GroundCLeaner (Fast and cost-effective combined remediation technology for the elimination of chlorinated and otherhydrocarbons from soil)

Reporting period: 2015-01-01 to 2015-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The business of our company, IEG Technologie GmbH is soil & groundwater remediation by using proprietary technologies. The GroundCleaner proposal addresses to increase our competitiveness by developing a highly efficient, quick and cost-effective in situ method to remediate soil and groundwater contaminated by chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOC), representing a major threat to the quality of the European groundwater quality. The innovative method combines the state of the art Groundwater Circulation Well (IEG-GCW®) technology, patented and trademarked by IEG, and a recently developed BEARD process (Bio Electrochemically Assisted Reductive Dechlorination). Our objective is to further exploit the results of the novel technology proposed by providing a wider range of treatment. We target to market this new combined technology for removal of CVOCs and other hydrocarbons, our services will include remediation design, well design, manufacturing of equipment, assembly, installation, startup, training of client’s technicians for maintenance and operation and consulting during the remediation.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The success of our solution would strengthen our international position on the market and would make us grow by becoming one of themarket leaders for chlorinated compound remediation. During this phase 1 proposal we carried out a technological feasibility study, market assessment, risk assessment, a study on our freedom to operate. Based on the feasibility assessment and the updated business plan it was concluded that GroundCleaner has good potentials to succeed both technically and economically, hence the final development steps are worth to pursue within a Phase 2 project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The objective of this project is to demonstrate, quantify and validate the ability of Groundwater Circulation Well (IEG-GCW®) & BEARD processes to achieve more uniform and effective distribution of hydrogen as electron donor and microorganisms across the radius of influence of the circulation zone through heterogeneous materials. It will improve the effectiveness of in situ remediation and reducing the costs of remediation at sites impacted by chlorinated contaminants.
Industrial activities are responsible for over 60% of Europe's soil pollution while the oil sector accounts for 14% of this total. 33% of the most common harmful contaminants are mineral oils. In the EU it is estimated that soil contamination requiring clean up is found at approximately 250,000 sites of which 35% is financed through public budget. Using our proposed IEG-GCW® coupled with BEARD processes we target to reduce the operational costs of remediation up to 70%.

Logo of Coordinator

Logo of Coordinator - bigres