The application of in situ air sparging as an innovative soils and ground water remediation technology

Journal Article · · Ground Water Monitoring Review; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.1992.tb00044.x· OSTI ID:5516152

Marley, M C; Hazebrouck, D J; Walsh, M T ^[1]

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1. Vapex Environmental Technologies Inc., Canton, MA (United States)

Vapor extraction (soil venting) has been demonstrated to be a successful and cost-effective remediation technology for removing VOCs from the vadose (unsaturated) zone. However, in many cases, seasonal water table fluctuations, drawdown associated with pump-and-treat remediation techniques, and spills involving dense, non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLS) create contaminated soil below the water table. Vapor extraction alone is not considered to be an optimal remediation technology to address this type of contamination. An innovative approach to saturated zone remediation is the use of sparging (injection) wells to inject a hydrocarbon-free gaseous medium (typically air) into the saturated zone below the areas of contamination. The contaminants dissolved in the ground water and sorbed onto soil particles partition into the advective air phase, effectively simulating an in situ air-stripping system. The stripped contaminants are transported in the gas phase to the vadose zone, within the radius of influence of a vapor extraction and vapor treatment system. In situ air sparging is a complex multifluid phase process, which has been applied successfully in Europe since the mid-1980s. To date, site-specific pilot tests have been used to design air-sparging systems. Research is currently underway to develop better engineering design methodologies for the process. Major design parameters to be considered include contaminant type, gas injection pressures and flow rates, site geology, bubble size, injection interval (areal and vertical) and the equipment specifications. Correct design and operation of this technology has been demonstrated to achieve ground water cleanup of VOC contamination to low part-per-billion levels.

• OSTI ID: 5516152
• Journal Information: Ground Water Monitoring Review; (United States), Vol. 12:2; ISSN 0277-1926
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
02 PETROLEUM
GROUND WATER
CONTAMINATION
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SOILS
VOLATILE MATTER
REMOVAL
HYDROCARBONS
INJECTION WELLS
LAND POLLUTION CONTROL
OPERATION
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER TREATMENT
CONTROL
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATTER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
TESTING
WATER
WELLS
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects