EDS-Substrate Shuttle™

Targeted Substrate Delivery Amendment for In Situ Bioremediation
   Safety Data Sheet (SDS) 

 Product Overview

EDS-Substrate Shuttle™ is a USP-grade, isopropyl alcohol (IPA)–based hydrophilic solvent formulated to dissolve and mobilize organic deposits that impair injection and extraction well performance. It is specifically designed for operational use during amendment delivery to restore well functionality, improve injectivity, and enhance distribution of remediation amendments.

The product is particularly effective at dissolving saponified vegetable oils, residual organic accretions, and biofouling associated with repeated injection of emulsified substrates and other organic amendments. When applied under controlled hydraulic conditions, EDS-Substrate Shuttle™ supports improved amendment contact without causing uncontrolled contaminant migration.

Technical Basis

IPA Cosolvent Performance in Groundwater

Peer-reviewed studies have evaluated isopropyl alcohol as a cosolvent for chlorinated solvents. Chawla et al. (2001) demonstrated that IPA significantly increases the aqueous solubility of trichloroethylene (TCE), enhancing contaminant dissolution from aquifer materials. The authors concluded that injection of non-toxic alcohol cosolvents, including IPA, can facilitate subsequent in situ treatment by improving contaminant availability.

Cosolvent Behavior and Hydraulic Control

The behavior of IPA in saturated porous media has been extensively documented. Imhoff et al. (1995) showed that IPA increases aqueous solubility of chlorinated solvents by reducing interfacial tension and modifying solvent properties, resulting in enhanced dissolution of residual DNAPL mass.

Importantly, the study distinguishes controlled solubilization from physical mobilization of DNAPL. When appropriate hydraulic gradients and extraction controls are maintained, IPA-enhanced flushing promotes dissolution into the aqueous phase rather than bulk movement of the non-aqueous phase. Under these conditions, the dissolved plume remains fully capturable by engineered recovery systems.

These findings provide a technical basis for the controlled use of IPA under approved work plans and Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) conditions.

Well Rehabilitation and Biofouling Control

Beyond cosolvent behavior, IPA is well documented as an effective agent for disrupting organic fouling and microbial biofilms that impair well performance. Cullimore (2000) describes IPA use in groundwater systems to dissolve organic accretions and restore permeability, noting its rapid biodegradation and lack of long-term persistence in the subsurface. U.S. EPA guidance similarly recognizes IPA as a commonly used fluid for injection well maintenance and rehabilitation.

Collectively, the literature demonstrates that IPA is a well-characterized, biodegradable, and operationally beneficial amendment. Its use is consistent with approved applications of alcohols under existing regulatory frameworks and does not introduce novel risks when applied in controlled quantities for defined operational purposes.

Applications

EDS-Substrate Shuttle™ is used as an operational support amendment, not a primary treatment reagent.

Typical applications include:

• Restoration of injectivity in biofouled or oil-impacted injection wells
• Dissolution of saponified vegetable oils and organic residues
• Improvement of amendment distribution during injection events
• Pre-flush or inter-flush conditioning of wells prior to amendment delivery
• Rehabilitation of wells exhibiting declining performance due to repeated organic amendment use

Integration with Tersus Technologies

EDS-Substrate Shuttle™ is an integral operational component of EDS-Advanced™, Tersus’ catalyzed reductive bioremediation platform developed to optimize amendment distribution while mitigating biofouling and injection inefficiencies.

To enhance the delivery of fatty acids within the aquifer, EDS-Advanced™ utilizes a water-soluble mixture of oil and alcohol in combination with a proprietary catalyst. In this system, emulsified oil substrates (e.g., EDS-ER™) are paired with alcohol-based cosolvents, including EDS-Substrate Shuttle™, and activated using EDS-Activator™ in accordance with U.S. Patent No. 11,577,231 B2.

Within the EDS-Advanced™ framework, EDS-Substrate Shuttle™ serves multiple operational functions:

• Promotes uniform distribution of fatty acids during injection
• Reduces interfacial resistance and organic fouling associated with repeated oil injections
• Supports catalyst effectiveness by maintaining well performance and injectivity
• Enables controlled amendment delivery without introducing persistent surfactants

When applied as part of an integrated EDS-Advanced™ injection program, EDS-Substrate Shuttle™ improves system reliability, amendment contact, and long-term performance of catalyzed reductive bioremediation applications.

Features & Benefits

Features

• USP-grade isopropyl alcohol
• Fully miscible with water
• Rapidly biodegradable
• Well-characterized environmental fate
• Compatible with standard injection equipment

Benefits

• Restores well injectivity and hydraulic performance
• Improves amendment distribution and radius of influence
• Dissolves organic accretions without introducing persistent residues
• Supports controlled solubilization under engineered hydraulic conditions
• Aligns with established regulatory guidance for alcohol use in remediation

Typical Application

EDS-Substrate Shuttle™ is typically applied as a controlled flush or conditioning step during injection operations. Application rates, volumes, and sequencing are site-specific and should be defined in the approved work plan. Use is commonly followed by amendment injection and, where applicable, hydraulic recovery or system equilibration.

Physical Characteristics

Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete compositional, handling, and hazard information.