June 1999 - MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), a chemical added to gasoline to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, is highly soluble and migrates quickly into groundwater.

sgblue, inc.'s biological treatment system is the only technology to date that effectively treats MTBE in both water and air.  Both biosystems, the CAP™ Clean Air Plant and the CAP™ Clean Water Plant use enzymes to oxidize MTBE and other contaminants to carbon dioxide and water.  Not only are the capital and operating costs low, the technology is very effective at destroying all chemicals in gasoline, including:  MTBE, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), and hydrocarbons.

Case Study No. 1:  A Long Island gasoline distributor's underground storage tanks had leaked and contaminated the surrounding groundwater.  Preliminary tests using the Clean Water Plant CWP4000 and a CWP1000 indicated a total degradation of contaminants of concern:  benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, total xylene, and MTBE.  The data below show that the CWPs destroy all measurable traces of MTBE and BTEX.

Sample Runs	Benzene (ug/L)	Toluene (ug/L)	Ethylbenezene (ug/L)	Total xylenes (ug/L)	MTBE (ug/L)
Starting Concentration	220	300	150	570	27,000
CWP-4000	<0.5 (ND)*	<1.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)	<3.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)
CWP-1000A	<0.5 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)	<3.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)
CWP-1000B	<0.5 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)	<3.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)
CWP-1000C	<0.5 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)	<3.0 (ND)	<1.0 (ND)

    *ND means that the contamination is not detectable.

Case Study No. 2:  A state contractor, using soil vapor extraction (SVE) to clean MTBE- and BTEX-contaminated soil at a school bus refueling site, was unable to start up because the untreated vapors exceeded the permitted levels of MTBE in air.  Application of a CAP™ Clean Air Plant model CAP350 to the existing SVE system achieved a destruction rate of 35 lbs. BOD (biological oxygen demand) per day and allowed the contractor to start the cleanup.

Case Study No. 3:  Alisto Engineering Group evaluated and field tested alternative technologies for treatment of MTBE and petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater.  sgblue, inc.'s biotreatment systems were field tested along with other technologies, including carbon adsorption, resin adsorption, advanced oxidation, acid treatment, and air stripping, and were found to be the most efficient, cost-effective technology to treat MTBE.

MTBE has become a significant environmental concern due to leaking underground storage tanks, lines, fueling stations and gasoline powered recreational watercraft.  MTBE has been found in high concentrations in many wells throughout the U.S. and can be present in drinking water.  MTBE and other chemicals present in water are readily transferred to air through volatilization.  MTBE is already present in air from vehicle exhaust emissions or when refueling at the gas pump.

For more information and technical assistance, write, fax, or phone:  sgblue, inc. P.O. Box 627, sgblue, inc., NJ 07110.  Telephone: (973) 661-5192.  Fax: (973) 661-3713.  E-mail: sre@srebiotech.com.  Website:  www.srebiotech.com.