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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Implementation of a funnel-and-gate remediation system

Conference ·
OSTI ID:398116
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Geraghty and Miller, Inc., Richmond, CA (United States)
  2. Louisiana-Pacific Corp., Samoa, CA (United States)

Funnel-and-gate systems are gaining attention, not necessarily because they speed up the remediation process, but because their use recognizes the limitations of groundwater cleanup programs and factors these limitations into minimizing the lifetime costs of implementing remedial actions. The term funnel-and-gate refers to the installation of low-permeability barriers downgradient of impacted groundwater which are arranged so as to direct the flow of the groundwater through treatment gates. The flow through the treatment gates is driven by natural groundwater gradients, eliminating extraction pumps and above-ground treatment systems. The treatment gates are designed specifically to treat the contamination in the groundwater that will flow through the gates. Funnel-and-gate systems attempt to eliminate or at least minimize mechanical systems, thereby reducing the long-term operation and maintenance costs that so often drive up the lifetime costs of remedial projects. Long-term operation and maintenance costs are reduced because the site does not need a continuous input of energy or manpower. In addition, groundwater monitoring and system compliance issues can be streamlined for even greater cost savings. Since it is a developing technology, there are few commercial applications where funnel-and-gate systems have been proven. Pollutants of concern include: petroleum hydrocarbons; chlorinated solvents; and halogenated volatile organic compounds.

OSTI ID:
398116
Report Number(s):
CONF-960393--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English