Methods and kits for bioremediation of contaminated soil

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater. This invention further relates to apparatus and methods for growing microbes on-site at a wastewater treatment facility, and for economically inoculating sufficient microbes to solve various treatment problems rapidly

1 - 72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . A method of removing contaminants from soil, comprising:
 providing an on-site system for growing of microbes at the location of the contaminated soil;   depositing inoculum, nutrient, and water into the on-site system;   growing the inoculum in the on-site system to provide a treatment batch comprising an increased number of microbes, the growing comprising heating and mixing the inoculum in the on-site system; and   directly applying at least a portion of the treatment batch, said portion containing microbes, to a contaminated soil surface.   
     
     
         74 - 95 . (canceled) 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the microbes are in gelatin capsules. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the nutrient is in gelatin capsules. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the nutrient is in water soluble bags. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein growing the inoculum is for about 8 to 24 hours. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the on-site system comprises at least one growth tank, aeration, and a controller. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the on-site system comprises at least two growth tanks. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the growth tank holds from about 250 gallons to about 1000 gallons. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the growth tank holds from about 0.25 gallons to about 250 gallons. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the growth tank holds about 1000 gallons. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the step of applying comprises releasing the portion of the treatment batch from the on-site system directly onto the contaminated soil surface. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the step of growing further comprises aerating the inoculum. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 73 , comprising depositing a defoamer. 
     
     
         108 . A kit for bioremediation of contaminated soil comprising:
 at least one growth tank;   an inoculum comprising microbes; and   nutrients.   
     
     
         109 . The kit of  claim 108 , comprising a heater. 
     
     
         110 . The kit of  claim 108 , comprising an aeration pump. 
     
     
         111 . The kit of  claim 110 , wherein the aeration pump is exterior to the at least one growth tank. 
     
     
         112 . The kit of  claim 108 , comprising a diffuser. 
     
     
         113 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the kit is manual. 
     
     
         114 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the microbes are in capsules. 
     
     
         115 . The kit of  claim 114 , wherein the capsules are gelatin capsules. 
     
     
         116 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the microbes are custom blended. 
     
     
         117 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the nutrients are in gelatin capsules. 
     
     
         118 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the nutrients are in water-soluble bags. 
     
     
         119 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the growth tank holds from about 0.25 gallons to about 250 gallons. 
     
     
         120 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the growth tank comprises an about 5-gallon container. 
     
     
         121 . The kit of  claim 108 , wherein the growth tank comprises at least two growth tanks. 
     
     
         122 . The kit of  claim 108 , comprising a cleaning agent. 
     
     
         123 . A kit for bioremediation of contaminated soil comprising:
 at least one growth tank holding about 5 gallons;   an inoculum comprising microbes, wherein the microbes are in gelatin capsules;   nutrients in gelatin capsules;   a heater; and   an aeration pump.