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Hydraulic fracturing to enhance the remediation of DNAPL in low permeability soils

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/447168· OSTI ID:447168
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States)
  2. FRX Inc., Cincinnati, OH (United States)
Meager rates of fluid flow are a major obstacle to in situ remediation of low permeability soils. This paper describes methods designed to avoid that obstacle by creating fractures and filling them with sand to increase well discharge and change paths of fluid flow in soil. Gently dipping fractures 10 m in maximum dimension and 1 to 2 cm thick can be created in some contaminated soils at depths of a few in or greater. Hydraulic fractures can also be used to create electrically conductive layers or to deliver granules of chemically or biologically active compounds that will degrade contaminants in place. Benefits of applying hydraulic fractures to DNAPL recovery include rates of fluid recovery, enhancing upward gradients to improve hydrodynamic stabilization, forming flat-lying reactive curtains to intersect compounds moving downward, or improving the performance of electrokinetics intended to recover compounds dissolved in water. 30 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
OSTI ID:
447168
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM--13305; ON: DE97050722
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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