Treatment through Biocatalysis

Many manufacturing activities, in spite of efforts to minimize, generate large volumes of waste streams as part of the manufacturing process. Biological treatment of these wastes has historically been dismissed as ineffective or impractical, due to space and time constraints or an inability to handle varying waste stream characteristics. Fiton Technologies has successfully treated a variety of wastes from an array of industries, such as electric utilities, petroleum, food and steel manufacturers.

Through our biocatalysis process, Fiton Technologies is capable of totally eliminating the organic components of many waste streams. Through a secondary treatment program, heavy metals are extracted from the wastewater. Fiton Technologies’ process of conditioning microbes enables them to thrive in a dissolved heavy metal environment, and causes the dissolved heavy metals to precipitate out of the wastewater. The extracted metals can then be either recycled or disposed of by traditional methods. Treated liquids may be recycled or discharged as contaminated water. Fiton Technologies can customize a biocatalysis system for many problem waste streams. Due to the speed and robust nature of our process, capital and space requirements are often minimal and project ROI is thus very favorable.

Landfill Leachate Treatment

Over the years, sound management of the growing volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) has become increasingly complex and costly. Conventional municipal landfill design, construction, operation and site closings forbid direct disposal of free liquids and collects leachate generated from precipitation or degradation of landfill wastes. The collected leachate is routinely removed from the landfill for off-site treatment/discharge. Some of the disadvantages associated with this anaerobic (“dry tomb”) technology include the production of methane, leaching of metals, formation of toxic compounds, slow stabilization and odor.

Based on recent published research, Fiton Technologies is ideally suited to offer a new landfill leachate management approach. Fiton Technologies is the partner of choice to assist in landfill cleanup due to our experience, unique technology, pricing and proven results.

Biocatalytic Remediation of Soil & Water

Bioremediation is the cornerstone in Fiton’s repertoire of remediation technologies. Bioremediation has been an accepted treatment process that uses naturally occurring micro-organisms (usually bacteria) to break down, or degrade, hazardous substances into less toxic or nontoxic substances. Micro-organisms, like humans, eat and digest organic substances for nutrients and energy. Certain bacteria can digest organic substances, such as fuels or solvents, that are hazardous to humans. They break down these organic contaminants into harmless products (primarily carbon dioxide and water).

Once the contaminants are degraded, the bacteria population declines sharply because it has consumed its entire food source. The end products pose no contamination risk. Bioremediation has been proven effective for treating soil and groundwater contamination at numerous sites throughout the world, and is accepted as a viable remediation strategy by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada and other regulatory agencies worldwide.

Bioremediation Primer

In order to appreciate our advanced process, a discussion of the types of bioremediation strategies is in order. Bioremediation can be used as a cleanup method for either contaminated soil or water. Bioremediation applications fall into two broad categories: in situ or ex situ. In situ treats the contaminated soil or groundwater at the location in which it is found. Ex situ bioremediation processes require either excavation of contaminated soil or pumping of groundwater before they can begin.

In Situ Soil Bioremediation does not require excavation so may be less expensive, create less dust, and cause less release of contaminants than ex situ techniques. It is also possible to treat large volumes of soil at once. A system of injection wells, trenches or a sprinkler system is typically used to deliver the selected added ingredients to the impacted soil.

In Situ Groundwater Bioremediation speeds the natural biodegradation processes that take place below the water line. The system generally consists of an extraction well, an above-ground water treatment system in which the selected amendments are added, and injection wells/trenches to return the “conditioned” groundwater to the subsurface where the bacteria metabolize the contaminants.

Biocatalytic Remediation of Soil & Water

Bioremediation is the cornerstone in Fiton’s repertoire of remediation technologies. Bioremediation has been an accepted treatment process that uses naturally occurring micro-organisms (usually bacteria) to break down, or degrade, hazardous substances into less toxic or nontoxic substances. Micro-organisms, like humans, eat and digest organic substances for nutrients and energy. Certain bacteria can digest organic substances, such as fuels or solvents, that are hazardous to humans. They break down these organic contaminants into harmless products (primarily carbon dioxide and water).

Once the contaminants are degraded, the bacteria population declines sharply because it has consumed its entire food source. The end products pose no contamination risk. Bioremediation has been proven effective for treating soil and groundwater contamination at numerous sites throughout the world, and is accepted as a viable remediation strategy by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada and other regulatory agencies worldwide.

Bioremediation Primer

In order to appreciate our advanced process, a discussion of the types of bioremediation strategies is in order. Bioremediation can be used as a cleanup method for either contaminated soil or water. Bioremediation applications fall into two broad categories: in situ or ex situ. In situ treats the contaminated soil or groundwater at the location in which it is found. Ex situ bioremediation processes require either excavation of contaminated soil or pumping of groundwater before they can begin.

In Situ Soil Bioremediation does not require excavation so may be less expensive, create less dust, and cause less release of contaminants than ex situ techniques. It is also possible to treat large volumes of soil at once. A system of injection wells, trenches or a sprinkler system is typically used to deliver the selected added ingredients to the impacted soil.

In Situ Groundwater Bioremediation speeds the natural biodegradation processes that take place below the water line. The system generally consists of an extraction well, an above-ground water treatment system in which the selected amendments are added, and injection wells/trenches to return the “conditioned” groundwater to the subsurface where the bacteria metabolize the contaminants.

In general, the term Brownfield means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.*

Brownfields can be costly liabilities to their owners, and to the owners of adjacent properties, particularly in urban settings where building density is high.

Fiton Technologies Corp. provides cost-effective Brownfield remediation with minimal disruption to surrounding properties. Whether in situ or ex situ, Fiton's proprietary Biocatalysis process can efficiently turn environmental liabilities into valuable assets.

*EPA Glossary of Terms

Methodology of the Fiton Biotreatment System

The Fiton bioremediation system is an alternative to the conventional approach using lime and limestone. It enhances biomass in wetlands. When fully operational, the system is virtually maintenance free. Once the microbial system is firmly entrenched, habitats are created which result in a combination or a succession of wetland ecosystems that continually clean acid mine drain water as it forms and flows over the enhanced wetland system.

All of the micro-organisms used are native to the site. Pathogenic organisms are screened out. In order to ensure that eutrophication of the wetlands does not occur, nutrient media is used which enhances the cultivation of algae from only the chlorophyta and chrysophyta groups. The algae group indicated in eutrophication is cyanochloranta, a blue-green algae.

Flow out of the wetlands must be controlled to allow the micro-organisms adequate time to react, precipitate the metals (mostly as sulphides) and increase the pH of the water.

Unlike conventional methods in which large volumes of sludges (which are difficult to dewater) are formed by alkaline treatment, there is virtually no sludge formed by this process. The minimal sludge which is generated is taken up by the plants as part of their normal metabolic process.

The approach taken on site is to apply the Fiton proprietary nutrients, including a growth stimulant, Fiton and the customized mixed culture of indigenous micro-organisms to the affected areas, or ponds. These ponds then serve as “reactors” in which the micro-organisms are cultivated and managed, rather like a farmer’s field.

Once the ecosystems in the ponds are fully transformed, the system becomes self-sustaining.