Evaluating strategies to improve process efficiency of denitrification-based MICP

Abstract

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) through denitrification can potentially be applied as a bio-based ground improvement technique. Two strategies involving multiple batch treatments in a modified triaxial test setup were used to study the process efficiency. Both strategies aim to achieve 1 weight percentage (% by weight) of precipitated calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and differ in number of flushes, hydraulic residence time, and substrate concentrations. In the experiment with few flushes and high substrate concentrations the microbial process was inhibited, only 0.28% by weight CaCO₃ was measured in the sand after 5 weeks of treatment. The regime with many flushes and low substrate concentrations stimulated microbial growth resulting in 0.65% by weight CaCO₃ within the same time period. Biomass growth and nitrogen gas production were stable throughout the experiment at low concentration, reducing the hydraulic conductivity of the sand, which eventually led to clogging. Precipitation rates up to 0.26% by weight/day CaCO₃ were observed. Applying a suitable substrate regime and residence time is important to limit inhibition and maintain the cell activity, allow for an efficient conversion, and generate a good precipitation rate.