Phase I, II, III Environmental Site Assessments

 Our professional staff can provide these essential steps in the evaluation of environmental issues.  While we are not an environmental consulting company, our staff is comprised of  the same professionals that work for engineering and hydrogeology companies.  To provide a complete service to our clients, through strategic partnerships, we employ  Certified Engineering Technologists, Professional Engineers, Professional Geologists and Professional Hydrogeologists.  We work with a wide range of consulting firms and do not recommend that clients not use their services.  We commonly recommend third party review of our onsite remediation services so that financial institutions and insurance companies are satisfied. We have worked directly for these groups on behalf of their clients.  Many of our staff are trained and certified by various organizations, such as the CECAB program, provided by the Federal Government of Canada for Certified Environmental practitioners.  Some staff are also associate members of AESAC (Associate Environmental Site Assessors of Canada) who provide for training and certification for Phase I, II and III assessments based on the Canadian Standards Association.

Bioremediation

 1) In situ:     Many areas are found where they cannot be excavated; under buildings, near foundations, under roads, in shallow or deep aquifers and  near potable water sources.  All kinds of variables must be taken into account when dealing with how these are remediated.  The application of the right combination of products and the technology to contact the impacted area is critical so as to minimize time and cost to complete a remediation.

 2) Ex situ:     Soil can be commonly excavated, manipulated and placed into piles that are commonly called biopiles.  This technique is very similar to the composting of household organics.  Various amendments are added to provide for the biological activity to occur at an enhanced rate.  Many other companies can take years to provide for the completion of treatment to soils, however when done properly, contaminates such as gasoline, diesel fuels and other hydrocarbons can be remediated in just 4-6 weeks.

3) Land farming:     This is a technique of placing impacted soils over large areas in shallow depths ( 1-2 feet deep) and using tilling equipment as well as amendments to remediate soils.  The tilling is utilized to enhance the oxygen content of the soil.  This method is also commonly used to dispose and treat large quantities of liquid waste containing high strength petroleum wastes.  It can be a very good method for difficult to treat compounds, (i.e. tars and heavy oils such as crude).

Tank Removals      

Bioforj has been involved in tank removal projects because, they are the principal cause of leakage and spills that create remediation work.  The removal of source areas is number one when dealing with potential or actual impacts.  Bioforj provides for a Petroleum Mechanic #2 – TSSA licensed removal service for tanks of many sizes. This would include difficult places such as inside buildings or under floors.

Onsite Treatment using Various Chemical and Biological Systems

1) Bentonite Clays:     Clays are applicable for use in both soil and groundwater situations.  They have been used for years as barriers to prevent the movement of contaminates from landfills, lagoons, etc.  These clays encapsulate contaminants, reduce concentration and inhibit the ability to move or leach (provides for better TCLP results for landfill disposal). This has been proven for organics such as fuels as well as heavy metals.  Soils can now be remediated in several days so clays are a viable option to provide against the regular excavate and disposal.

2) Surfactant:     An  infinite variation of  surfactant blends  can be used to enhance remediation activities.  Many difficult materials can be bioremediated with the utilization of surfactants.  These industrial soaps are specially designed to work in specific ways to enhance the solubility or the ability to penetrate into tars, coal tar, heavy oil, crude oil etc.. Extreme care must be taken because the wrong use of surfactants can be detrimental to the overall remediation program. To be on the forefront of this technology, Bioforj has been working with surfactant systems for over six years as part of our Research and Development program.

3) Groundwash:     This is a patented surfactant system that is utilized and recognized as a soil or groundwater flushing and washing method.  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has many documents that describe this method.  (link) Great success in the field has been accomplished by using groundwash in combination with bioremediation.  One of the advantages is the ability to remove or deal with quantities of free product in an enhanced fashion as compared to the standard pump and treat systems.

4) Organophilic:     This is a chemically modified bentonite clay which allows for groundwater management systems to be enhanced by 4-10 times.  Combined with standard activated carbon removal of organics, including volatile organic compounds (VOC) and dissolved hydrocarbons, cost reduction will occur utilizing a flow through treatment vessel.  The organophilic clay will encapsulate up to 60 % of it own weight in organics.

5) Oxygen Injection Systems:     Injection systems are utilized in cases where additional oxygen or other gases may be recommended or required. Bioforj has experience in the use of low flow/low pressure gas infusion techniques for both hydrocarbon degradation and VOC treatment using alternative carbon sources.

6) Biological Systems:     Our flagship bioremediation compound is called Oil Gator.  Oil Gator is a patented process with Certificates of Approvals with the Ministry of the Environment of Ontario.  It is used in land farming, biopile and in situ systems.  We have developed a preactivation system of liquid indigenous bacteria for the use in in situ bioaugmentation projects.  Our in-house microbiologist is constantly researching new developments in bioremediation technology.

Excavate and Dispose          

While we prefer on site treatment, we recognize “the need” for this method of remediation because of time constraints.  We work with various landfill and waste receivers to provide this service.  We are actively working towards the day when all impacted soils will be treated prior to landfilling, or better yet, soil recycling.  We know that landfills and regulators recognize that treatment and licensed receivers will Reduce waste, Reuse where possible and Recycle (3R’s).  Whether it is soil, water or other materials, we strongly believe in the 3R’s and always consider this to be the preferred method of  today and into the future.

Waste Management

Waste management issues are a very complex area.  It entails everything from scrap metal to municipal solid waste.  As described elsewhere, we are a technology company. We believe there are new ways to deal with many different components of the wastes that are handled throughout the agricultural, industrial and municipal areas.  Bioforj is a strong believer in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  New ways and infrastructure need to be found to improve our world’s environmental issues.

Sludge Management

1) Organics:     This can be managed by the use of a continued expansion of composting so valuable commodities such as fertilizers can be derived. Biosolids, manures and food wastes need not be landfilled, but more development needs to be accomplished in order to reduce these materials. Bioforj has extensive experience with methods that will achieve these ultimate goals.

2) Heavy Metals:     To prevent leachates and the transfer of toxic, industrial wastes into a non-hazardous state a stabilization procedure is required.  The use of Bentonite clays can encapsulate heavy metals to achieve this outcome. 

3)  Stabilization:     The stabilization of both organics and heavy metals in sludge waste can be achieved economically to provide for better handling and management of these wastes.

4) Solidification:     Various absorbents and/or clays can provide for the ability to transform liquid or semi liquid materials into a solid to be treated or handled in numerous ways.

Composting/Biological Treatments

Aerobic Systems

Biological treatments are commonly broken down into two different categories; aerobic and anaerobic.   Aerobic methods employ biological organisms that prefer oxygen as a major part of the process.  It is commonly considered a quicker process as compared to the anaerobic methods.  Composting is forced to work aerobically by the use of mixing or the turning of materials. Waste water treatment plants have treated water for decades using aerobic methods but even now, for optimal results to occur, improvement to these systems will become imperative over the years to come.

Anaerobic Systems

These methods utilize microorganisms that will not function in the presence of air or oxygen.  The ability of this group of microorganisms to deal with a totally different part of our wastes is still poorly understood.  Great improvements in the digestion of many wastes will evolve as microbiologists learn more about  the mechanisms that control these functions.  Bioforj has been working with this for a number of years because it relates to agricultural and municipal waste management.

 1) Recycling options:     The use of compost/manures and various industrial organic waste materials to produce fertilizers is just now evolving.  It is therefore a necessity for all empirical data to be shared for this evolution to occur. The nutrient values and benefits of composts are just starting to be quantified. 

2) Biosolids:     Municipal biosolids have become a major issue due to the sheer quantity of material. Lack of land, as well as, the needed improvements to wastewater treatment are required to aid in our long term solutions.  The reduced production of sludge at Waste Water Treatment plants and the additional treatment of these biosolids will reduce costs and the need for expanded infrastructure in the future.  Improved dewatering chemistry or equipment will aid in this area.

3)  Lagoons:     Bioforj is working with technology to provide for lagoon linings, improved removal of sludge’s and management options for these materials.  Robotics are a new and improved method to clean lagoons, digesters and water reservoirs. Dredging and dewatering needs to be more cost effective so Bioforj are working with strategic partners to provide these services at the best possible price.

Water Treatment - Industrial                   

Bioforj are distributors for unique methods to manage your water, whether you want to treat and recycle or sewer.  Our technical staff and resources can evaluate the right flocculants and equipment.  We have access to a fully serviced laboratory to evaluate your process water for treatment.  Over twenty different formulations are available for any typical applications that you may have.

Manure Management Technology

A broad range of new and upcoming methods are now available for solid, semi solid and liquid manures.  Bioforj is developing a package of varied technologies to enhance the ways that agriculture does business.  These will include anaerobic digestion, electricity generation, aerobic treatment (fertilizer production), dewatering methods, electrostatic, oxidation technology and composting.  Bioforj has many years experience in the feed and food industry including hog, dairy, beef and poultry sectors.  Our staff feel it is essential to aid the agricultural sector to grow and prosper so our associates include Agronomists, Hydrogeologists and feed specialists that understand new regulations and the need for nutrient management plans and their implications.