Numerical Simulation for Biosurfactant-Enhanced Bioremediation Process under Cold Climate and Low Soil-Permeability Conditions: A Pilot-Scale Case Study

In-situ bioremediation is one of the effective technologies for cleaning up petroleum-contaminated sites. To improve efficiencies of conventional bioremediation processes, biosurfactant treatment has received much attention due to the surface-activity, biodegradability and low toxicity of biosurfactants. In this study, an integrated mathematical modeling system was developed for simulating the biosurfactant-enhanced bioremediation (BEB) processes under typical Canadian site condition. The model included modules of multiphase multicomponent flow and transport, biological degradation, and biosurfactant-enhanced remediation. A pilot-scale physical modeling system, with Rhamnolipid being used as biosurfactant, is designed to simulate the BEB process. The study results demonstrated that the developed mathematical model is effective in examining the coupled effects of biodégradation and biosurfactant-enhancement within a multiphase multicomponent transport framework, and can be used for supporting management of petroleum-contaminated sites under cold climate conditions.