In Tank Bio-Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons on Inactive Ships

This Phase I project will demonstrate that bioremediation methods can be used to biodegrade ship-based petroleum products that remain as residuals in tanks, piping and bilges of ships that are destined for dismantling or sinking to become artificial reefs. The tests that have been designed for this project will demonstrate that bioremediation can achieve the objective of making inactive ships petroleum-free without the use of any chemicals or process products that will require disposal as an oily waste or hazardous material. It will also be shown that the cost of bioremediation per unit volume of petroleum or petroleum-based waste has a high potential of being less than the cost of conventional methods currently in use. An additional benefit to be demonstrated is that this bioremediation process can be effectively carried out by one person and that process monitoring can be conducted using low-cost hand-held instruments. It is expected that the results of this project will lay a technical foundation for development of a standardized procedure that can be routinely used by the Navy. Lynntech, Inc. has a broad base of technical and scientific expertise within the company to carry out this project in conjunction with an experienced maritime industry consultant.