The Waterloo Emitter comes in three diameters, 1.8″, 3.8″, and 5.8″, which fit into 2, 4, or 6″ (50, 100, or 150 mm) wells. They consist of a 51″ (130 cm) long PVC frame that is uniformly coiled with LDPE or silicone tubing. The frame has an opening down the centre that allows the installation of monitoring devices to track the remediation process.

There is no minimum hydraulic head required for the Emitters to work, as a result, they can be installed at any angle or depth. They can be stacked or linked together in a series of wells.

When using oxygen to stimulate aerobic bioremediation, the gas can be supplied using a pressurized tank or cylinder. When the gas is introduced into the Emitter tubing, a concentration gradient results between the inside of the tubing and the groundwater. The Emitter works following Fick’s Law, by which diffusion occurs from high concentration to low. Since oxygen is replenished constantly using the Emitter, and groundwater flow around the Emitter is continuous, equilibration is never reached. This results in steady, controlled diffusion into the groundwater – without any decrease in concentration due to bubbling. The oxygen is supplied to the groundwater at a molecular level, therefore it is immediately available to the microbial population.

The Waterloo Emitter has many benefits:

• Low cost
• Easy installation and removal
• Minimal maintenance and operating effort
• No hazardous substances handled, injected or produced
• No electricity required