Bioventing results in significant reduction of diesel fuel contamination after one year
A bioventing system was designed and installed to enhance the natural biodegradation of residual diesel fuel contaminated soils at an underground storage tank (UST) facility in Seattle, Washington. This system was designed to operate in conjunction with an existing total fluids recovery system to expose more heavily contaminated soils at the capillary fringe to injected air. A pilot study conducted at the facility indicated that an initial biodegradation rate of 2,200 milligrams of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) per kiligram of soil per year could be achieved, making bioventing a feasible remedial alternative to accelerate site cleanup. Remediation costs were reduced by installing horizontal piping arrangements at the bottom of two separate tank pit excavations during the scheduled fueling system closures. Unlike single point injection wells, this innovative system design results in a wider area of influence by creating two aerated beds through which air is dispersed into the surrounding formation. As a result, less pressure is required to distribute air in the variably permeable site soils, minimizing subsurface vapor migration. The areas of greatest contamination in the capillary fringe are directly impacted by placing impermeable caps over the aerated beds.
- OSTI ID:
- 124589
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940499--; ISBN 1-56590-014-6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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