Figure 2 (Click to Enlarge)

HRC-X is an extended release formulation of the patented and widely accepted Hydrogen Release Compound (HRC®) product. HRC-X is a highly viscous material composed of glycerol polylactate. Once emplaced in the subsurface, this compound is slowly degraded resulting in the release of lactic acid for periods of up to 5 years. This newly available source of lactic acid is then metabolized by microbes to produce hydrogen which is then used in a naturally occurring process known as anaerobic reductive dechlorination (Figure 2). The reductive dechlorination process results in the step-by-step biological degradation of chlorinated contaminants. HRC can be used to degrade a range of chlorinated compounds including: degreasing agents (PCE, TCE, TCA and their breakdown products), carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, certain pesticides/herbicides, perchlorate, nitrate, nitroaromatic explosives and dyes, chlorofluorocarbons, certain metals and radionuclides.

Residual Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPL's) are often difficult to find and very costly to treat. Residual DNAPL can cause lingering and unwanted sources of groundwater pollution that can represent enormous and unexpected cleanup costs. HRC-X is a proven solution to this challenging problem. Once injected into the general vicinity of the residual DNAPL, HRC-X goes to work producing a long-term, controlled release of lactic acid resulting in hydrogen distribution throughout the area. This, in turn, drives the rapid desorption, dissolution, and degradation of the bound residual DNAPL.

Because HRC-X can be applied without the need to identify the exact location of the residual DNAPL and because it does not require capital equipment or operations and maintenance (O&M), HRC-X can significantly reduce the cost of cleanup by avoiding the excessive expenditures associated with unnecessary site analysis, construction and hardware, and long term O&M costs.

When long-term plume control is required to halt the migration of groundwater contaminants, HRC-X may be one of the most cost effective alternatives available. In the past, the only alternative in such situations was to cut-off the plume by intercepting the groundwater with very inefficient and costly pump and treat systems, or by disruptive construction of expensive sheet pile barriers and "iron filing walls."

Groundwater remediation professionals now have an effective alternative to offer their clients and to reduce their cost burden, HRC-X. When applied perpendicular to the migrating plume, HRC-X passively releases the hydrogen required to degrade the mobile contaminant flux. The HRC-X material, once installed, continues to release hydrogen, effectively cutting off the migrating plume for a period of up to 5 years while avoiding capital costs associated with the more engineering, construction and O&M intensive systems.

Note: It is highly recommended that you consult with Regenesis regarding the application of HRC-X at your site, as always our technical services are free of charge and designed to increase our familiarity with the site and to develop a reciprocal relationship with our valued clients.