Bioslurping

Bioslurping is the combination of free product recovery and bioventing utilising vacuum enhancement technology. It has the ability to improve bioremediation of the Vadose Zone as the vacuum enhances release of free product from the capillary fringe.

This methodology requires the installation of abstraction points to enable the vacuum to be applied. The application of this vacuum removes soil gas and sucks in cleaner air from the surrounding clean soils. It also stimulates aerobic bioremediation as a byproduct.

Bioslurping is less effective in low permeability soils and those with low moisture content because it tends to dry out the soils and limit the effectiveness of bioremediation.

Ground conditions that require free product removal and Vadose Zone remediation for hydrocarbon contamination may be remediated using this methodology. However, the duration for the remediation works should be considered to be medium-to-long term.