Numerical simulation of air sparging for remediation of NAPL contamination

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Ground Water

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1997.tb00065.x· OSTI ID:419602

McCray, J E; Falta, R W ^[1]

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1. Clemson Univ., SC (United States)

A numerical simulation study of air sparging for the removal of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) from the subsurface is presented. These simulations were performed using the T2VOC integrated finite-difference, multiphase-flow, contaminant transport code. The code is used to model two-dimensional air sparging experiments from Ji et al. (1993) which include both homogeneous and heterogeneous permeability distributions. The model predicts the experimental gas plume shape and behavior very well. Field-scale simulations using a radially symmetric, cylindrical mesh are then used to model hypothetical DNAPL and LNAPL spills and air sparging remediation performance in various hydrogeologic settings. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems are considered. The results of the study indicate that the sparging-induced gas pressure increase, or ``positive pressure,`` measured at steady state below the water table, closely corresponds to both the subsurface gas distribution and the effective zone of contaminant reduction. Because this positive pressure is easily measured in the field with a simple monitoring device, it can be used to realistically define the sparging radius of influence.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 419602
• Journal Information: Ground Water, Journal Name: Ground Water Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 35; ISSN GRWAAP; ISSN 0017-467X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GROUND WATER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
REMOVAL
T CODES
VOLATILE MATTER