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Hydrogen Release Compound: A Cost‐Effective Alternative to PCE Remediation at Dry Cleaning Facilities
Author(s) -
Vigue Bryan W.,
Pasrich Gunisha,
Koenigsberg Stephen S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
remediation journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.762
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1520-6831
pISSN - 1051-5658
DOI - 10.1002/rem.10030
Subject(s) - tetrachloroethylene , environmental remediation , chlorinated solvents , dry cleaning , reductive dechlorination , bioremediation , environmental science , waste management , groundwater , groundwater remediation , environmentally friendly , contamination , human decontamination , chemistry , environmental chemistry , trichloroethylene , engineering , biodegradation , organic chemistry , ecology , geotechnical engineering , biology
Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or PCE, is one of the most difficult to treat chlorinatedsolvents when present in groundwater. Unfortunately, this elusive and recalcitrant compound is also the mostcommonly used dry cleaning solvent. As a result, releases of PCE at dry cleaning sites are somewhat common.Regenesis Bioremediation Products, of San Clemente, California, has developed Hydrogen Release Compound(HRC), which has been successfully used to promote bioremediation of PCE in groundwater. This product isdirectly injected into contaminated groundwater to speed up the natural attenuation of PCE through an anaerobic,natural process known as reductive dechlorination. A key benefit of HRC is its ability to slowly release hydrogenover extended periods of time. Reductive dechlorination relies on a steady source and readily available supply ofelectron donors as part of the degradation process. Hydrogen is one of the best electron donors available, andthus, the application of HRC significantly enhances the rate of PCE degradation. For dry cleaners, this technologycan substantially reduce major design, capital, and operating costs, allowing the implementation of alow‐impact application and remediation solution. This article discusses the use of the HRC to remediate PCEcontamination and presents the results of two specific HRC‐treated dry cleaner sites. © 2002 WileyPeriodicals, Inc.