Ex-situ Biodegradation – Biopiles
Soil piles and cells commonly have an air distribution system buried under the soil to pass air through the soil either by vacuum or by positive pressure. The soil piles in this case can be up to 2-3 meters maximum. Soil piles may be covered with plastic to control runoff, evaporation, and volatilization and to promote solar heating. If there are volatile organic carbons (VOCs) in the soil that will volatilize into the air stream, the air leaving the soil may be treated to remove or destroy the VOCs before they are
discharged to the atmosphere
Biopile is a short-term technology. Duration of operation and maintenance may last a few weeks to several months.
Biopile treatment has been applied to treatment of nonhalogenated VOCs and fuel hydrocarbons. Halogenated VOCs, SVOCs, and pesticides also can be treated, but the process effectiveness will vary and may be applicable only to some compounds within these contaminant groups.