Dissolution and vaporization of a mixture of DNAPLs following a spill into a partially saturated porous medium
EMSL Project ID
8196
Abstract
Spills of DNAPLs, their fate in the soil and aquifer environment, and their subsequent remediation, if considered, continue to be a problem of colossal magnitude. Although much research regarding these subject matters has been done, in most cases only a single component was considered. In reality, however, most contaminated sites contain mixtures of chemicals, including DNAPLs. The objective of this proposal is, therefore, to physically simulate a spill of a mixture of three DNAPLs with different solubilities and vapor pressures and quantify their fate. DNAPLs under consideration are trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), carbontetrachloride, and fluorinert. The spill will be into a partially saturated porous medium containing layers with different hydraulic properties. Saturated water flow will be maintained. The dissolution of the three DNAPLs will be quantified over time by means of liquid sample extraction at a number of locations. DNAPL saturation distributions (mixture) will be determined by means of gamma radiation. The vapor phase will be slowly extracted by means of a vacuum source located near the porous medium surface. Vapor pressures of the three components will analyzed. To support of disavow natural attenuation, this experiment will be a long term experiment. The data will be compared with the results of the computer simulator STOMP.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2004-05-03
End Date
2005-05-23
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator