Evaluating Strategies to Improve Process Efficiency of Denitrification-Based MICP
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 8
Abstract
Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) through denitrification can potentially be applied as a bio-based ground improvement technique. Two strategies involving multiple batch treatments in a modified triaxial test setup were used to study the process efficiency. Both strategies aim to achieve 1 weight percentage (% by weight) of precipitated calcium carbonate () and differ in number of flushes, hydraulic residence time, and substrate concentrations. In the experiment with few flushes and high substrate concentrations the microbial process was inhibited, only 0.28% by weight was measured in the sand after 5 weeks of treatment. The regime with many flushes and low substrate concentrations stimulated microbial growth resulting in 0.65% by weight within the same time period. Biomass growth and nitrogen gas production were stable throughout the experiment at low concentration, reducing the hydraulic conductivity of the sand, which eventually led to clogging. Precipitation rates up to 0.26% by weight/day were observed. Applying a suitable substrate regime and residence time is important to limit inhibition and maintain the cell activity, allow for an efficient conversion, and generate a good precipitation rate.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, through STW perspective program BioGeoCivil (11337), and was performed in close collaboration with Deltares.
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Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 8 • August 2018
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©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 19, 2017
Accepted: Jan 22, 2018
Published online: May 30, 2018
Published in print: Aug 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Oct 30, 2018
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