1. PDO NORM Workshop Treatment of NORM-Contaminated Sludge & Soil
from the Petroleum Industry
PDO NORM Workshop
February 21-23, 2005

2. Proxima Cancorp Petrozyme Technologies EnviroGem

3. Contents Introduction Approach to the treatment of hydrocarbon &
NORM contamination
Treatment of hydrocarbon contaminants – Stage 1
Treatment of NORM
Stage 2 – Solubilization
Stage 3 – Filtration
Stage 4 – Polymerization
Treatment objectives
Proposed pilot & full scale implementation
Conclusion

4. Dr. Ajay Singh Director of R&D, Petrozyme Technologies
Adjunct Professor University of Waterloo
Specialization - microbial biotechnology
Published in excess of 120 research papers
Holds 5 patents
Co-authored and edited 5 books related to biotechnology, fermentations, bioremediation and phytoremediation
Developed biological waste treatment processes related to the petroleum industry
International experience (US, Canada, India, Germany, Japan, Venezuela, Mexico, Saudi Arabia)

5. Dr. Perichiyappan Senthilnathan
Technical Director of EnviroGem Inc.
Consulting advisor to various industries for water and wastewater treatment including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck, Uniroyal, Exxon and Cargill
Dr. Senthil is the expert in waste water treatment and has isolated and removed metals & radionuclides from water using selected membrane filters
30 years in waste water treatment

6. Peter Cheong Principal, Proxima Cancorp Inc.
Director & Founder of Petrozyme Asia Ltd. – currently actively bidding on all major petroleum sludge/contaminated soil remediation jobs in Asia & Middle East
Chartered Accountant – PwC, E&W
Assembled a team of scientists to provide a solution for NORM
Role – project & cost management

7. Treatment Rationale
Had to look out of the box for a more cost effective solution
The risk of NORM comes from small particles of radioactive metals
Treat the cause not the symptom
Solution had to isolate the NORM and then manage along with other metals

8. Treatment Process
An advanced four-stage integrated bio-physico-chemical process to treat NORM-contaminated oily sludge & soil from the petroleum industry
Each of the stages in this process has been field proven

9. Four-Stage Process Flow
NORM-free Water for reuse
NORM
Oily sludge
Air
Microbes
Nutrients
Water
Oil Sorption & Separation
(4 - 6 h)
Contaminated soil
Bioreactor
(10 – 12 d)
Water way, Drains, Recycling
Membrane rejects
Waste water
Clean water
NORM Solubilization
Polymerization of
Radioactive residues
Treated solids Disposal
Containment
Sealing Disposal
Dewatering
Wastewater
Ultrafiltration
Nanofiltration
Reverse Osmosis

10. Stage 1 – Removal of hydrocarbons
biological process for oily sludges
physico-chemical process for hydrocarbon-contaminated soils
bioreactors and mixers will provide added shielding from NORM for the operators
water is an integral part of both these processes

11. Stage 1 – oily sludges
subjected to bio-treatment in a slurry bioreactor using the patented “Petrozyme Process”
microorganisms, a blend of proprietary nutrients and optimized air flow facilitate accelerated biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons
result is a >90% TPH removal in 8 to 12 days.

12. Example of Bioreactors

13. Stage 1 – contaminated soils
for low oil-contaminated soils (<8% TPH), “Remsep” is used
patented 2-phase remediation & separation process
hydrocarbons are separated using hydrophobic sorbents & mobilizing agents in mixers
removal of >90% of TPH in treatment periods of 4 to 6 hours.

14. Stage 1 – Remsep

15. Stage 2 - Solubilization
solubilization done in tanks
process proven on uranium, radium, thorium & strontium
proprietary list of reagents containing selected ligands are used to solubilize radioactive & inorganic elements
challenge is to ensure no reaction among reagents
treated sludge/soil is dewatered & solids are sent to a suitable landfill

16. Stage 3 - Filtration
filtrate containing radioactive elements & metals from stage 2 are subjected to a series of ultrafiltration, nano/diafiltration & a high-pressure high-rejection reverse osmosis (RO) system
proven on uranium, radium, thorium & xanthium
residues from nano/diafiltration & RO systems containing concentrated radioactive high-molecular weight elements & metals are collected in residue storage tanks
Permeate from RO unit free of radioactive elements is either discharged to local sewer/water bodies or re-used in the upstream processes

17. Stage 4 – Polymerization & containment
contents of residue storage tank are water reduced
polymerize residues
polymers are stable indefinitely
material is contained within non-reactive Uranium containers or metal drums & sealed
ultimate disposal in secured landfills

18. Stabilization/Containment Solutions
Superior qualities in:
Shielding operators
Isolating radionuclides
No structural damage from radiation (gamma)
Retaining radio isotopes
No biodegradation
No leaching issues
Significant reduction in final landfill cost
Process cost – US$1,200 to $1,500 per ton* plus landfill cost of NORM free solid material from the Petrozyme/Remsep Processes
* Based on 10k m3 of sludge/contaminated soil

19. Treatment Objectives
meet the actionable level set by the International Atomic Energy Agency
isotopic activity in treated solids & effluent not to exceed 0.5 Bq/g for Ra226
show process has successfully isolated radionuclides and retained radio isotopes
based on standards set by US EPA, Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Council

20. Proposed pilot
demonstrate that petroleum hydrocarbons can be effectively degraded or removed from sludges & contaminated soils
NORM present in sludges & soils can be effectively treated/stabilized using our approach
approach is scalable
length & cost of pilot

21. Full Scale Implementation
JV with local company
Oil co options:
We supply all equipment
Except for Bioreactors & NORM related equipment, Oil co supplies some or all equipment (Capex)

22. Conclusion Process addresses, isolates & treats hazardous materials
(toxic organic compounds, metals & radionuclides)
Technically advanced
User friendly
Efficient
Cost effective
No legacy issues