Technology for eliminating the consequences of technological accidents, including oil spills
Oil producing and refining companies strive for zero pollution, but imperfect processes cause oil spills. The main sources of environmental pollution are: constant low-level influx from roads and household wastewater, large spills from tankers and pipelines, and natural seepage from oil reservoirs. The first two types of pollution have a small impact, but large oil spills can cause serious harm to the environment. Oil pollution can lead to soil degradation, causing irreparable damage to local ecosystems. To restore the productivity and ecological value of contaminated lands, reclamation is used. It involves a set of measures aimed at reducing the oil product content to safe levels. There are two approaches: EX SITU, which involves removing contaminated soil for treatment, and IN SITU, which involves processing the soil at the site of the spill. The project focuses on developing equipment for producing biologically active substrates. The substrate is produced through the method of solid-phase aerobic fermentation of organic matter and contains strains of oil-degrading microorganisms. The equipment for its production activates the biotechnological process of organic matter biodegradation, resulting in exothermic reactions that release heat. This intensifies the process and activates mesophilic and thermophilic microflora, which helps neutralize pathogenic microorganisms and preserve consortia of Bacillus and Micrococcus strains. The substrate is suitable for application using spreaders, which significantly increases the intensity of reclamation of contaminated land and reduces the environmental load. It has a high moisture absorption capacity and acts as a binder for oil products in the soil. The microbial fertilizer contained in the substrate acts as an oil destructor, while the organic matter promotes biostimulation and phytoremediation. Laboratory studies have found that within 30 days, 66% of oil products are destroyed in the soil. Pilot production testing conducted at the test site of A-Telematica LLC in the Moscow Region confirmed the effectiveness of the obtained reclamation agent. Over the same period, the degree of destruction of AI-92 gasoline was 61.5±1.2%, summer diesel fuel – 66.4±1.3%, and waste transmission oil – 54.2±1.2%
Climate And Environmental Technologies
Agrobiotechnologies for soil creation, soil conservation and fertility reproduction
The production period of the reclaimer is 1-2 days (depending on the type of raw material). Guaranteed period for reducing the content of oil products in the soil by 66% is 30 days. Complete elimination of the consequences of an oil spill (with a one-time application of the reclaimer) is 1-2 years.
Oil production and refining regions. Currently, the Khanty-Mansiysk and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District of Russia are being considered as a pilot region.
The proposed development combines scientific expertise in engineering support for environmental safety and rational use of natural resources with a significant potential for recycling of secondary raw materials from the agricultural. On the Russian market, there are several types of equipment for accelerated organic waste fermentation: drum-type, chamber-type, and bunker-type. However, the proposed development differs from these technical solutions in its integrated approach to handling organic waste and producing substrates with specified properties. BBF equipment offers higher productivity and lower energy consumption during the reclamation process, making it more efficient and cost-effective compared to existing solutions. This is due to the active use of microbiological processes during recycling and the reduction of labor costs. The obtained substrate contains a consortium of oil-degrading organisms that effectively degrade oil hydrocarbons in the soil, making the proposed development a cost-effective alternative to existing methods.
Two grants from the Foundation for Assistance to Innovations were implemented, with project numbers 7017GU/2015 and 3225GS1/48652. The technology is included of BAT for 15-2021, 41-2023, and 42-2023. The team secured third place in the 5th China-Russia Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. A Memorandum was also signed on the presentation of this technology in China. In 2024, the project was included in the finalists list of GreenTech StartUp Booster-Skolkovo and GazpromNeft INDUSTRIX. Status of a resident of the Skolkovo Innovation Center. An agreement was signed with the Ak Bars holding for the provision of infrastructure and production facilities for testing the technology.
[1] Method of biological remediation of oil-contaminated soils: application for a patent RUS 2024124345; effective date for property rights: 30.07.2024. Practice owner: LLC Biocon-Agro [2] Biofermenter for accelerated bioconversion of organic waste: patent RUS 4800429; effective date for property rights: 10.01.2023. Practice owner: Uvarov R. [3] Drum biofermenter for organic waste treatment: patent RUS 2729949; effective date for property rights: 20.02.2020. Practice owner: LLC Biocon-Agro [4] Biofermenter for accelerated bioconversion of organic waste: patent RUS 2670588; effective date for property rights: 26.05.2016. Practice owner: Uvarov R.
