Groundwater cleanup by in-situ sparging. XIII. Random air channels for sparing of dissolved and nonaqueous phase volatiles

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Separation Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/01496399708000790· OSTI ID:621378

Wilson, D J; Clarke, A N ^[1]; Kaminski, K M; Chang, E Y ^[2]

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1. Eckenfelder, Inc., Nashville, TN (United States)
2. Martin Luther King Magnet High School, Nashville, TN (United States)

A mathematical model is developed to simulate the sparging of dissolved volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) from contaminated aquifers. The sparging air moves through the aquifer in persistent, random channels, to which VOC must move by diffusion/dispersion to be removed. The dependence of the rate of remediation on the various model parameters is investigated and some practical conclusions are reached regarding the operation of air sparging wells for aquifer remediation. VOCs of low water solubility (such as alkanes) and present as NAPL are found to be removed by air sparging much more slowly than VOCs of higher water solubility (such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) and present as NAPL, due to the very small maximum concentration gradients which can be maintained around droplets of the former. These small concentration gradients result in very slow rates of NAPL solution.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 621378
• Journal Information: Separation Science and Technology, Journal Name: Separation Science and Technology Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 32; ISSN 0149-6395; ISSN SSTEDS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKANES
AQUIFERS
BENZENE
DIFFUSION
GROUND WATER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
REMOVAL
XYLENES