The OxygelPLUS project, collaboration between the company Biorem and CELABOR, has just ended with promising results.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs, such as chlorinated solvents) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major examples of persistent organic pollutants accumulated in the environment (soil, groundwater …) after their historical uses in various industries. The in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is a technology used to degrade toxic pollutants on site.
This project has developed an innovative technology to degrade these pollutants.
OxygelPLUS is based on the slow release of oxidative radicals and permits to avoid the rebound effect. The product is made of two basic reagents: an oxidant and a catalyst.
This OxygelPLUS technology has been tested in the CELABOR laboratory. The degradation efficiency has been highlighted on a reference pollutant (Trichloroethylene - TCE) with interfering agents usually present in soils.
OxygelPLUS has also been tested on real contaminated water and soil samples.
The graph below describes the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on real polluted water.
A pilot test has also been conducted on an oil contaminated site with promising results.
The OxygelPLUS technology has significant advantages compared to existing technologies that can be inadequate or too expensive. This could be validated on numerous contaminated sites in Wallonia (994 proved).