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Treatability studies are bench-scale tests that analyze whether chemical or biological treatments can degrade different compounds of concern in site materials.

Clients turn to SiREM to evaluate remediation technologies for a particular site before implementing them in the field. Bench-scale treatability studies can be used to compare different treatment technologies under simulated site conditions and test multiple conditions concurrently.

During studies, clients and SiREM experts can be flexible in their approaches, working together to change strategies to optimize treatments that would be impractical and much more costly at field scale.

In our state-of-the art treatability laboratories, SiREM’s experts evaluate a wide range of technologies and application methods to address conditions at your site.

Evaluate a Wide Range of Technologies 

Batch Microcosms Versus Column Studies 

Batch Microcosms Versus Column Studies chart

Combined Remedies

Often, no single technology can fully treat a complex site.

SiREM’s treatability tests can help clients overcome the limitations of a single technology and create an effective plan to address difficult contaminants at the most challenging sites. We do this by combining technologies or designing sequenced treatment trains to address specific conditions.

By combining or sequencing technologies, clients can address complexities including the presence of multiple contaminants or recalcitrant compounds and hydrogeological characteristics that can make treatment difficult.

Using bench-scale testing under site conditions, SiREM screens technologies being considered for field use by testing them independently, combining them, and sequencing them in different ways to find the most promising combinations to test in the field.

SiREM treatability studies can help clients decide how to remediate many compounds, including the following:

  • Chlorinated ethenes (PCE, TCE, cDCE, 1,1-DCE, tDCE, and VC)

  • Chlorinated ethanes (1,1,1-TCA, 1,1-DCA, 1,2-DCA, and 1,1,2,2 -TeCA)

  • Chlorinated methanes (CTC, CF, and DCM)

  • Chlorinated benzenes (mono, di, and tri)

  • 1,4-dioxane

  • Chlorinated propanes (1,2,3-TCP and 1,2-DCP)

  • BTEX compounds

  • Semivolatile compounds (e.g., naphthalene)

  • Petroleum hydrocarbons

  • Fuel additives and oxygenates (e.g., MTBE and TBA)

  • Pesticides

  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

  • Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS)

  • Hexavalent chromium

  • Selenium, arsenic, and other redox-sensitive metals

  • Other new and emerging compounds

We are adept at testing the technical approaches clients bring to us and at working together with them to develop and evaluate new technical approaches to best address site conditions.

Provide Peace of Mind, Save Time and Money

By testing multiple strategies at the bench scale before choosing which to evaluate in the field, treatability studies minimize the risks of selecting and implementing technologies, increase stakeholder confidence, and reduce remediation time frames and costs.

SiREM’s treatability studies can help you make smart choices before you advance to work in the field:

  • Screen remedial options at laboratory scale, before seeking regulatory approval.

  • Choose remediation amendments that offer the best value for your site.

  • Set the best amendment doses to address site conditions.

  • Reduce the likelihood of costly changes in project direction at field scale.

Experience the SiREM Treatability Study Difference

In addition to our precision and innovation in the lab, including all required controls and replication, clients choose us for many other reasons:

  • Our experts work closely with you, collaborating to establish study objectives and creating detailed proposals.

  • We conduct studies on your schedule, with a record of providing actionable results that meet your timelines.

  • Your project will have a focused and responsive project manager who provides regular technical updates.

  • We are adept at modifying strategies during a study, collaborating with you to optimize remedies, and communicating with you about the reasons for making such changes.

  • We provide you with clear and comprehensive interpretive reporting.

Because our studies are conducted on a fixed-fee basis, we can be more flexible as we design and implement studies and make modifications to investigate treatment options. Our reports give project managers the information they need to design effective pilot and full-scale remediation systems.

“Recently, SiREM completed an interesting and informative 1,4 dioxane treatability study for us for a complex Superfund project. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to plan and optimize the study with the talented SiREM staff. The SiREM team is dedicated to sound science and experimental protocol, and they did a great job communicating with us throughout the study and preparing a well-written report with solid, data-based conclusions. SiREM is our “go to” lab for all our treatability study needs.”

Jack Sheldon, Antea Group

Ready to get started?

Contact us to investigate your treatability options. Together we can create custom remediation solutions for your site.

Documentation

Treatability Cut Sheet
Treatability Booklet

3 microcosm bottles