Innovative Environmental Technologies, Inc. (IET) Adds to IP Estate with new Patent Application

PIPERSVILLE, Pa. - Nov. 1, 2018 - PRLog -- Innovative Environmental Technologies, Inc. (IET) a leader in the development and implementation of remediation technologies for over 20 years continues to introduce novel solutions to the challenges presented by in-situ treatment of chlorinated solvents.  This most recent technology introduction relies on biotic, abiotic and adsorptive processes to address those impacted groundwater and saturated soils by chlorinated solvents.  In particular the hydrophobic solvents trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) are readily addressed by-way of this new technology.

IET has been at the forefront of zero-valent-iron (ZVI) based remediation technologies since 2003.  Building on these approaches, United States Patent Application #62575181 addresses many of the challenges facing practitioners of in-situ remediation.  Specifically, this new approach to ZVI based biotic and abiotic remediation utilizes a hydrophobic/oleophilic lipid coating on the iron particle.

Traditional ZVI remediation approaches cannot address dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs).  The encapsulation of the ZVI particle with an oleophilic material encourages the portioning of the DNAPL into the ZVI coating.  The chlorinated solvent may then be degraded directly by the surface reactions of the ZVI within the lipid-ZVI structure.

The ZVI introduction into groundwaters and soils may be quickly passivated or evolve excess hydrogen.  Various mechanisms have been introduced to control the ZVI reactions, including the sulfonating of the ZVI.  Control of the ZVI reactions is critical to maintaining a long-term remediation process, the encapsulation of the ZVI addresses this problem while providing a mechanism to adsorb and concentrate the dissolved phase chlorinated solvents within the encapsulating membrane.\

The mechanisms of degradation are similar to those seen in the NASA patented emulsified zero valent iron (EZVI).  EZVI is a liquid reverse emulsion in which the ZVI is within a micelle.  The United States Patent Application #62575181 is for a dry material which utilizes the groundwater to hydrate the membrane coating as may be seen in the micrograph shown.  The structure seen formed within five days exposure to water.

As a dry product, the invention is more easily packaged, manufactured, injected into targeted inpacted areas and it is easily shipped.

This novel approach to in-situ remedation is only available through IET.