Multi-Site In Situ Air Sparging
Abstract
Air sparging is a process where air is injected directly into the saturated subsurface to (1) volatilize contaminants from the liquid phase to the vapor phase for treatment and/or removal in the vadose zone, and (2) biodegrade contaminants in the saturated zone via stimulation by the introduction of oxygen. Practitioners have proposed using in situ air sparging to (1) treat contaminant source areas trapped within water-saturated and capillary zones, (2) remediate dissolved contaminant plumes, or (3) provide barriers to prevent dissolved contaminant plume migration. In the mid-1990's, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Airbase and Environmental Technology Division, Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) initiated an air sparging project funded by the Airbase and Environmental Technology Division (AFRL/MLQE), the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), and the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC). This project was conducted by the authors of this document, with input and review from an expert panel comprised of practitioners, program managers, and members of academia to develop a technically defensible and practicable Air Sparging Design Paradigm. The use of air sparging has increased rapidly since the early 1990's. It is now likely to be the most practiced engineered in situ remediation option when targeting the treatment of hydrocarbon-impacted aquifers. The feasibility assessment, pilot testing, design, and operation of air sparging systems have remained largely empirical, with variability in approaches by different practitioners.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA604094
Entities
Organizations
- Environmental Security Technology Certification Program