Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is BioSolve® a solvent?

No, BioSolve is a water-based formulation of surfactants and performance additives.  The BioSolve formulation has been fine-tuned specifically to support the remediation of hydrocarbons and to provide an environmentally friendly solution for cleaning oil contaminated equipment.

2) What is the big deal about being “water-based”?

A water-based product for hydrocarbon clean-up has several important advantages:

1. Water-based products are environmentally benign, making all aspects of the work process less expensive, safer for the worker, and gentler on the environment.
2. Working with BioSolve requires no specialized equipment as is required when working with solvent-based cleaners.
3. BioSolve can be used in enclosed work spaces without risk of fire and explosion.  In fact, BioSolve is often used to reduce flammable vapors in storage tanks in preparation for manned entry
4. Hydrocarbons can be readily separated out of effluent with BioSolve, reducing disposal costs. 

3) What is a surfactant?

The word “surfactant” is a contraction of “surface active agent”.   Surfactants are a class of chemicals that support the solubilization of oil in water.   In soil remediation, the surfactant “pulls” the oil molecule away from the surface it is contaminating and into a solution with water.

4) Does BioSolve contain any active biological material?

BioSolve does not contain any bacteria, enzymes or active biological material.  However, BioSolve will support bioremediation by making the hydrocarbon molecule more readily digestible by bacteria that are naturally present in the environment.  In fact, native bacteria in soil naturally produce surfactants in order to facilitate digestion of organic compounds. Therefore, the role of BioSolve in bioremediation is to accelerate this naturally occurring process.

5) Can I use BioSolve right out of the container?

No, BioSolve is sold only as a concentrate and in nearly every application must be diluted prior to use. Solutions will range will range from 1% to 10% depending on application and will typically be in the 3% to 5% range.

6) Is it alright to flush effluent with BioSolve into a sewer or storm drain?

It is always preferable to physically recover as much contaminate as practical and transport it to a licensed treatment facility for disposal.  In cases when contaminants treated with BioSolve cannot be fully recovered, the effluent may be flushed into a sewer or storm drain (subject to local regulation) with no adverse impact to downstream wildlife and water treatment facilities as long as it is adequately diluted (to no more than 0.75%).

7) Do I need special equipment when working with BioSolve?

In general, no specialized equipment is required. BioSolve can be mixed in standard poly tanks and applied with normal pressure washing equipment. Because BioSolve is water-based, clean-up is simple.  When using BioSolve at soil remediation sites, standard injection equipment is required.

8) What if I have BioSolve left over at the end of a project?

Unused BioSolve, stored in its original container, may be resealed and retained for future use.  Customer experience has shown that BioSolve stored in this manner will last for at least one year (and commonly far longer). Unopened BioSolve has essentially unlimited self-life.

9) Can BioSolve be used in conjunction with oxidants?

Numerous customers have reported successful use of  BioSolve in sequence with chemical oxidants on soil remediation projects.  In a typical approach, free product is recovered first, followed by a surfactant flush and finally the application of oxidants to control any residual contamination.

Some customers have reported good results from simultaneously injecting BioSolve solution together with a slow release chemical oxidant. This is a sophisticated application in which engineering expertise will be required.

Please note that site conditions vary significantly; always consult a licensed professional before starting any treatment protocol.  

10) Under what conditions might a cosolvent be used with BioSolve?

When contaminants in the soil are heavily weathered or highly viscous, BioSolve alone will be slow acting. Under these circumstances, the use of an alcohol cosolvent will improve the effectiveness (by increasing NAPL solubility). Methanol, ethanol and propanol are often mentioned as possible  co-solvents.

11) What are the keys to using BioSolve effectively?

• For cleaning up a surface spill, aggressive agitation is critical to fully emulsify the hydrocarbons and reduce flammability and explosion hazard.
• For soil remediation, achieving through contact of contaminated soil with BioSolve solution is necessary for successful solubilization and mobilization of the hydrocarbons.
• For suppression of hazardous vapors in soil, keeping the soil moist with the BioSolve solution is most important.

12) What impact will BioSolve have on aquatic wildlife?

BioSolve can potentially interfere with fish respiration. This could occur if BioSolve concentrations approach or exceed 1% in the aquatic habitat.  As a general precaution, it is always preferable to contain effluent for treatment at a licensed facility.  However, in situations where effluent may be discharged into a marine environment (subject to local regulations) or such discharge is unavoidable (as a result of an accidental spill), it is important to aggressively dilute any solution being so discharged.   

13) What regulatory listings does BioSolve have?

BioSolve has been listed under the EPA’s National Contingency Plan Product Schedule as a Surface Washing Agent.  BioSolve has also been approved by the USDA as a surface cleaning agent for all food contact surfaces.