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Analytical inverse model for multicomponent soil vapor extraction

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Engineering
 [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab., Albuquerque, NM (United States)

In the past decade, soil vapor extraction has become a popular method for remediating sites contaminated with volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). An analytical model has been developed to predict in-situ compositions and contaminant volumes from early monitoring of effluent gas concentrations of individual species during multicomponent soil vapor extraction. The model exploits the wave-like propagation of the evaporation fronts of individual species to present analytical expressions for the in-situ compositions, contaminant volumes, effluent concentrations, and recovery rates during discrete time intervals. The efficiency of soil vapor extraction systems also can be determined. Comparison of this theory to a previous experiment of through-flow venting of benzene, toluene, and o-xylene yielded excellent agreement. This suggests that if effluent concentrations of individual species are monitored in the field during soil vapor extraction operations, only minimal data are required at early times to yield predictions of in-situ compositions and contaminant volumes, as well as subsequent effluent concentrations and recovery rates.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratory
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
624081
Journal Information:
Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 124; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English