Sponsored by Groundwater and Environmental Services, Inc.

Remediation Optimization Using Direct Sensing Technologies and SmartData Solutions® to Reduce Remediation Costs
Ned Tillman, Columbia Technologies, Baltimore, MD

Applying Visualization, GIS, and Modeling Tools to Understand Subsurface Conditions
Mary Ann Parcher, ES&T, Blacksburg, VA

Real-Time Feasibility Testing to Properly Assess Multiple Remediation Technologies in One Event
Charles Blanchard, GES, Pleasant Hill, CA

Improving Well Efficiency to Enhance System Performance
Bill Morrow, Parratt-Wolff, Inc., East Syracuse, NY

System Optimization During System Design and Operation to Enhance Conventional Remediation Technologies
Charles Whisman, GES, Exton, PA

Optimization of Full-Scale Chemical Oxidation Systems to Improve Performance
Peter Herlihy, Applied Process Technology, Inc., Pleasant Hill, CA   

Remediation Optimization Using Direct Sensing Technologies and SmartData Solutions® to Reduce Remediation Costs

John Sohl, Columbia Technologies, 1450 S Rolling Rd, Baltimore, MD, Tel: 410-536-9911, Fax: 410-536-0222, Email: jsohl@columbiadata.com
Ned Tillman, Columbia Technologies, 1450 S Rolling Rd, Baltimore, MD, Tel: 410-536-9911, Fax: 410-536-0222, Email: ntillman@columbiadata.com

Historically, some remediation efforts have failed due to inadequate site characterization and/or over-generalized and misleading conceptual site models (CSM). The need for total mass characterization including sorbed, dissolved, free-phase liquid and vapor phase site data, both pre- and post-application of the remedial technology, is critical to project success. With the emergence of direct sensing tools such as the membrane interface probe (MIP) and optical methods (fluorescence), much more information can be collected in a short time and more accurate site models can be built. These tools gather thousands of measurements on the geology, hydrology, nature, and extent of the subsurface contaminants. The data can be processed into high-definition two- and three-dimensional images of the site, providing much more detail than is normally available for designing a remediation approach. With this detail, one can better determine which areas to target for remediation, resulting in a more effective remediation effort. There are a number of enhancements to the basic MIP probe that make it even more effective as a tool for characterizing hydrocarbons. These enhancements allow for individual chemical species, such as benzene, naphthalene, and even the oxygenates to be identified and mapped to concentrations as low as the 10-100 ppb range. The real-time capabilities of direct sensing technologies combined with real-time information processing such as the patent-pending SmartData Solutions® enable project managers to identify and close data gaps early in site characterization and at much lower cost than would be incurred via mobilizations of personnel and equipment. In turn, these methods provide time and cost-effective improvements in the application of remedial technologies. MIP will be demonstrated at the conference.

Applying Visualization, GIS, and Modeling Tools to Optimize System Design and O&M

Mary Ann Parcher, ES&T, a division of GES, 1750 Kraft Dr., Ste. 2700, Blacksburg, VA  24060, Tel: 800-662-5067, Fax: 540-951-5307, Email: mparcher@esnt.com

To determine practical remedial endpoints and effectively design remediation systems, a thorough understanding of the subsurface conditions and distribution of the contamination is necessary. This can be achieved through the development of an appropriate Conceptual Site Model (CSM) that demonstrates relationships between the subsurface geology, hydrology, and contamination distribution. The CSM can be used to evaluate the extent and magnitude of contamination, assess potential data gaps, and form the basis for any future analyses. Approaches and tools to assist with developing and conveying a CSM include analytical and numerical models, visual imagery analyses, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Various spatial analysis tools can be used to delineate non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) distributions as well as dissolved and soil contaminant plume distributions, calculate mass and volume estimates, perform screening level risk assessments, and discern concentration trends across the site. NAPL mobility analyses can be performed spatially to identify and delineate migrating plumes from stable plumes so that remediation efforts can be prioritized and optimized for both efficiency and costs. Data visualization allows the audience to quickly and intuitively comprehend site information as well as difficult or abstract concepts and relationships. Through the use of visualization techniques, the CSM and progress of remedial activities can be easily conveyed to clients, regulators, and other stakeholders. Example applications of these approaches and tools will be presented, including the incorporation of modeling and visualizations during system operation to aid in the optimization of the remediation system. 

Real-Time Feasibility Testing to Properly Assess Multiple Remediation Technologies in One Event

Charles Blanchard, PE, GES, 3333 Vincent Rd., Ste. 214, Pleasant Hill, CA  94523, Tel: 925-580-2754, Fax: 925-977-1818, Email: cblanchard@gesonline.com

Performing an effective feasibility test is essential in the selection of a remedial technology to address environmental impacts. Information gathered during the study is often used to design a full-scale remediation system, which may incorporate conventional and/or innovative remediation technologies, and result in reduced life-cycle costs for site cleanup. A unique pilot-testing platform allows for the evaluation of multiple technologies during one feasibility study. The pilot test vehicle enables engineers to collect accurate, real-time data to determine if a remedial approach is effective while the test is ongoing. A short duration (one to three days) feasibility test can be performed to evaluate up to eight different remediation technologies. Following an effective feasibility test, the data can be used to prepare life-cycle remediation costs for various technologies. This presentation will walk through the steps of performing an effective feasibility study including: gaining an understanding of the site conceptual model; planning an enhanced test strategy; performing the test with the appropriate equipment and supervision; and summarizing/evaluating the test results to develop a remedial plan. Feasibility testing equipment will be demonstrated at the conference facility.

Improving Well Efficiency to Enhance System Performance

Bill Morrow, Parratt-Wolff, Inc., PO Box 56, East Syracuse, NY  13057, Tel: 800-782-7260, Fax: 315-437-1770, Email: wmorrow@pwinc.com

Maximizing remediation system performance requires optimizing well design, careful drilling method selection, and efficient well development. One must consider how geology impacts well performance and how the drilling method can cause formation damage. The well design and well development method should be selected to maximize the performance of the well for its designated purpose. To improve upon the traditional monitoring well design, consideration should be given to alternative screen design, such as slotted versus continuous slots, coarser sand packs, and more efficient slot sizing. Sand pack thickness is also a factor in determining well development rate: the thicker the sand pack, the more time is required for development. A drilling method should be chosen which least impacts the surrounding formation. Because every drilling method causes some damage to the formation, thus reducing its ability to transmit fluids, one should carefully select the proper drilling procedure and equipment to avoid under-performance and the need for additional well installation and time spent on well development. Various mechanical and/or chemical methods, such as a traditional surge block and eductor pump, can be utilized to mitigate the effects of formation damage. The presentation will discuss factors that impact design, and alternative approaches that have been shown to yield improved well performance and result in more effective remediation.

System Optimization During System Design and Operation to Enhance Conventional Remediation Technologies

Charles Whisman, PE, GES, 410 Eagleview Blvd., Ste. 110, Exton, PA  19341, Tel: (610) 458 1077 ext. 156, Fax: 610 458-2300, Email: cwhisman@gesonline.com

System optimization means more than just keeping remediation systems fully operational. Effective system optimization can subtract years off the remediation system life-cycle, resulting in expedited cleanup programs and significant cost savings. System optimization decisions can be made throughout the project, from remediation system design through the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase.

Design improvements will be discussed, from selecting appropriate equipment, to designing the appropriate flexibility and redundancy in a system to allow for variable operating conditions and improved run time.  Other design features to be reviewed involved some of the latest system control features for remote system review/analysis, optimization, and adjustment.

The common steps of system performance evaluation will be discussed, including: identifying capital costs for system upgrades and modifications; determining the degree of system effectiveness; inspecting field O&M data; reviewing mass recovery, contaminant reduction, and O&M costs; and evaluating system run time. Evaluating system performance information is crucial in determining the optimal remediation equipment and instrumentation to utilize, how to improve remediation system up-time, what information should be collected in the field, and how to proactively optimize remediation systems. This presentation will evaluate optimization considerations for conventional remediation technologies (soil vapor extraction, air sparging, total-phase vacuum extraction, and vacuum-enhanced groundwater extraction). Case studies documenting several instances in which system optimization efforts resulted in the remediation of significant soil and groundwater impact in less than two years of system operation will be discussed. Topics of discussion will also include combining remedial technologies to reduce the remedial life-cycle, effective data evaluation to allow for system adjustments, interaction between office and field personnel to ensure optimization, and utilizing visual/modeling tools to help make optimization improvements.

Optimization of Full-Scale Chemical Oxidation Systems to Improve Performance

William “Tripp” Fischer, PG, DNREC, 391 Lukens Dr., New Castle, DE  19720, Tel: 302-395-2500, Fax: 302-395-2555, Email: william.fischer@state.de.us
Peter Herlihy, Applied Process Technology, Inc., 3333 Vincent Rd., Ste. 222, Pleasant Hill, CA  94523, Tel: 925-977-1811, Fax: 925-977-1818, Email: Pherlihy@aptwater.com

Aggressive chemical oxidation technologies that combine liquid oxidants (such as hydrogen peroxide or persulfate) and a gas (such as ozone, oxygen, or air) for aggressive injection in soil and groundwater can be used to address significant source reduction in all contaminant phases (adsorbed, dissolved, and LNAPL). Case studies include remediation of thousands of pounds of contaminant mass, such as BTEX, MTBE, and TBA, in soil and groundwater via the injection of ozone, oxygen, air, and hydrogen peroxide. Aggressive oxidation systems can be optimized using field and analytical data, and system controls, including remote monitoring software. When appropriately applied, some chemical oxidation systems can aggressively remediate contaminated soil and groundwater within a short time frame. The technology can be applied to varying lithologies and at sites with significant contaminant mass. The discussion evaluates all of the processes that may be involved in measuring and enhancing system performance: chemical oxidation; enhanced air sparging; enhanced bioremediation; and soil vapor extraction. The discussion will review the data that should be collected during full-scale system operation and how that information can be used to maximize system performance.  The bioremediation effects of chemical oxidation will also be discussed, from dissolved oxygen increases to the increased number of microorganisms in the subsurface.

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