Petroleum mass removal from low permeability sediment using air sparging/soil vapor extraction: impact of continuous or pulsed operation | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)

HERO ID

4066495

Reference Type

Journal Article

Title

Petroleum mass removal from low permeability sediment using air sparging/soil vapor extraction: impact of continuous or pulsed operation

Author(s)

Kirtland, BC; Aelion, CM

Year

2000

Is Peer Reviewed?

1

Journal

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
ISSN: 0169-7722
EISSN: 1873-6009

Volume

41

Issue

3-4

Page Numbers

367-383

Language

English

DOI

10.1016/S0169-7722(99)00071-6

Web of Science Id

WOS:000085034500009

URL

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0033988706&doi=10.1016%2fS0169-7722%2899%2900071-6&partnerID=40&md5=b16017757ccfc547245ba5dd240240f7
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Abstract

Air sparging and soil vapor extraction (AS/SVE) are innovative remediation techniques that utilize volatilization and microbial degradation to remediate petroleum spills from soils and groundwater, This in situ study investigated the use of AS/SVE to remediate a gasoline spill from a leaking underground storage tank (UST) in the low permeability, clayey soil of the Appalachian Piedmont. The objectives of this study were to evaluate AS/SVE in low permeability soils by quantifying,petroleum mass removal rates, monitoring vadose zone contaminant levels, and comparing the mass extraction rates of continuous AS/SVE to 8 and 24 h pulsed operation. The objectives were met by collecting AS/SVE exhaust gas samples and vadose zone air from multi-depth soil vapor probes. Samples were analyzed for O-2, CO2, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), and total combustible hydrocarbon (TCH) concentrations using portable hand meters and gas chromatography. Continuous AS/SVE was effective in removing 608 kg of petroleum hydrocarbons from low permeability soil in 44 days (14.3 kg day(-1)). Mass removal rates ranged from 2.6 times higher to 5.1 times lower than other AS/SVE studies performed in sandy sediments. BTEX levels in the vadose zone were reduced from about 5 ppm to 1 ppm. Ten pulsed AS/SVE tests removed 78 kg in 23 days and the mean mass removal rate (17.6 kg day(-1)) was significantly higher than the last 15 days of continuous extraction; Pulsed operation may be preferable to continuous operation because of increased mass removal and decreased energy consumption. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

soil venting; bioventing; petroleum remediation; AS/SVE; soil treatment