HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

by

www.hgcinc.com

Systematic Remedial Methodology for Chlorinated VOC Contamination of Soils and

Groundwater Underlying Desert Landfills

Harold Bentley, Stewart Smith

Hydro Geo Chem, Inc.

Tucson and Scottsdale, Arizona

Presented at theDesert Remedial Action Technologies Workshop

Phoenix, Arizona October 2-4, 2007

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

First, you’ve got to understand the plumbing! ---King Hubbard, Father of American Hydrogeology

This presentation discusses a quantitative in-situ remediation methodology that relies on site-specific evaluation and numerical simulation to1. develop critical insights regarding the conceptual model of the contamination problem, and 2. to develop and optimize a remedial engineering design that meets corrective action goals at maximum efficiency and minimum expense.

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Landfill groundwater contamination by volatile chlorinated organic compounds (VCOCs) and Freons is pervasive throughout the desert southwest.

As an example of how serious this problem might be, the City of Tucson has concluded, based on a proactive series of extensive remedial investigations, that all of their 40-some unlined or partially-lined landfills have likely contaminated groundwater with VCOCs*.

*R. Murray, City of Tucson, personal communication

Statement of Problem

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Conceptual Model of Arid-Landfill Groundwater Contamination by

Volatile Chlorinated Organic Compounds (VCOCs)

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

0 100 200 300 400PCE, ug/l

PCE Beneath Silverbell Landfill, Tucson

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

The generally observed distribution of the VCOCs has some interesting characteristics:

1. VCOCs are found up as well as down the groundwater gradient, an observation often interpreted as evidence for an upgradient, non-landfill VCOC source

2. The groundwater plume tends to be depleted in the total organic carbon and semi-volatiles usually associated with landfill leachate. (deprived of electron donors and the resulting anaerobic biodegradation, the VCOC plume will be persistent).

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

The generally observed distribution of the VCOCs has some interesting characteristics:

3. The vadose zone (soil gas) concentrations of VCOCS typically increase with depth, suggesting that the source is at depth rather than in the landfill itself

4. The groundwater concentrations of VCOCS are highest at the water table and decrease with depth, implying that the VCOC source is above the water table

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

QUESTIONS:

1. Can The Observed Soil and Water VCOC (PCE) Distribution Beneath a Landfill Result From Vapor Phase Movement of PCE Introduced into the Landfill When Active?

2. If So, What is the Most Cost Effective Way to Remove this VCOC Source?

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Using Field Data and Numerical Simulation to Evaluate the

Conceptual Model of VCOC Groundwater Contamination

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

The Numerical Model and its Assumptions

Model Code: TRAMP (Bentley and Travis, 1989)3-D variably saturated 2-Phase flow and transportuniform steady groundwater flowaerobic/anaerobic biodegradation

VCOC (PCE) initially within Landfill onlyModel parameters derived from site-specific permeabilities, porosities, water content; literature values of PCE anaerobic biodegradation ratesTransport Conditions:Advection resulting from landfill gas generationDiffusion Anaerobic biodegradation of PCE in landfillRun model for 20 years after Silverbell landfill

closure

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Roger Rd

Grant Rd

Prince Rd

Flo

win

g W

ells

Rd

Silverbell Rd

N

Plan View of 3-dimensional Model Grid

5000 feet

GROUNDWATER

FLOW DIRECTION

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Simulated Silverbell Landfill PCE Movement:

After 2 Years

Water tableDirection of Groundwater flow

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Simulated Silverbell Landfill PCE Movement: After 20 Yrs

Water tableDirection of Groundwater flow

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Measured and Simulated Silverbell Landfill PCE Concentrations 20 Years

after Closure

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

PC E in ug/l

-180

-160

-140

-120

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

dept

h be

low

land

sur

face

(fe

et)

w ater tab le

sim ulated concentration

m easured soil gas concentration

m easured groundw ater concentration

approxim ate depth of base of landfill

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Results of Silverbell Landfill Gas-Phase PCE Transport Simulations

20 years after closure the original source area (the landfill) is relatively free of VCOC while deep vadose soils continue to have relatively high levels of PCE.Gas and liquid advection and diffusion and anaerobic biodegradation are all found to be important in reducing landfill PCE concentrations and increasing concentrations at depth.We conclude that vadose-zone VCOCs beneath the landfill are the source of past and continuing groundwater contamination.

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

SVE is clearly the most cost-effective VCOC source removal option

Contamination is deep and covers a large areaVadose soils have a relatively high gas permeabilityContaminants are volatile and therefore amenable to removal by SVE

How best to implement SVE removal of the VCOC source is the rest of this presentation.

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Systematic Remediation of Deep Vadose-Zone PCE Contamination

(Harrison Road Landfill, Tucson, Arizona)

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Three-Dimensional Model Structure

Harrison Road Landfill, looking southwest

LFG WellsSVI-1: Multi-levelnested probes

SVE-1: Multi-level nested probes

VMW Multi-level nested probes

Base of Landfill

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Technical Issues Regarding Sub-Landfill SVE for Removing Deep

VCOCs

Must allow for LFG generation in overlying landfillMust operate in conjunction with LFG collection systemMust minimize air intrusion into landfill to prevent fires and maintain methanogenic efficiencyAn important goal is to minimize number of SVE wells. Cost of an SVE well, at this site, is greater than $50,000

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

SVE Design Performance Criteria

Provide early removal of deep vadose VCOC source to groundwaterMinimize drawing VCOCs from shallower soils to deeper soilsMinimize air intrusion into the overlying landfill to maintain the landfill’s anaerobic characterBONUS: Removal of low-volatility organics from any leachate present beneath landfill by means of aerobic biodegradation (bioventing)

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Summary of Data Needed for Effective Design of Sub-Landfill SVE

Horizontal and Vertical Soil Air PermeabilityProvide Achievable Subsurface Air

Circulation Rate per SVE WellDetermine Minimum Number of SVE

Wells Needed to Achieve Desired Total Air Circulation Rate.

Ratio of Horizontal to Vertical Air Permeability Affects Surface Leakage and Lateral Effectiveness of Individual SVE Wells

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Summary of Data Needed for Effective Design of Sub-Landfill SVE

Subsurface VCOC Distribution Affects Location and Vertical Placement

of SVE wellsSoil Porosity, Moisture Content, Organic Carbon Content and VCOC Properties Affect Calculation of Total VCOC Mass

and Cleanup TimesDistributed Landfill Gas Generation Rates Affect induced SVE flow field

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Hydro Geo Chem’s Pneumatic Assessment

ToolboxThe numerical model TRAMP, a powerful 3-D integrated finite difference, distributed parameter model for assessing gas and liquid fate and transport. Includes aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation, thermodynamics, and liquid/gas phase changes. Capable of automatic parameter estimation and design optimization.ASAP, a proprietary pneumatic well test interpretation model. Includes automatic parameter estimation. The Baro-Pneumatic Method, an HGC-patented methodology for assessing landfill gas generation rates and permeabilities. Provides calibration data for numerical (TRAMP) model of landfill gas flow, useful for designing efficient gas collection and control systems.

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Obtaining Horizontal and Vertical Gas Permeabilities

Conduct Pneumatic Well TestsInstall wells as part of a trial SVE systemEmploy step-tests to determine well

efficienciesUtilize monitoring wells, if possible, as

observation wells Conduct Baro-pneumatic Tests Monitor barometric pressure and subsurface

pressure responses to changes in barometric pressure. Obtain vertical permeabilities and LFG generation rates

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

SVE Wellhead

Construct Monitoring Well that can Later Double as SVE or SVI Well

APPR O VED D ATE R EFER EN C E FIG U R E

H Y D R OG E OC H E M , I N C .

MEASURED AND SIMULATED DRAW DOW NAT MP-12 DURING PUMPING OF SVE-A4

H :/796000/svetest/svea4/m p12.srf 3TS 2/26/04

Gas Porosity and Horizontal Permeability Estimates by Step-drawdown Test. (ASAP analysis) Gas

extraction well SVE-A4; Observation well MP-12

WELL TEST RESULTS

Pumping well screened 15’-30’Monitoring well screened 15’-17’Wells 24 feet apartGas pumping rates 30, 80 scfmHorizontal permeability 25.1 darciesVertical permeability 0.40 darciesCover permeability = 0.084 darciesGas Porosity = 0.25

Started PumpingAt 30 SCFM

Increased Pumping

to 80 SCFM

Stopped

Pumping

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

2700’ AMSL

2530’ AMSL

2630’ AMSL

2550’ AMSL

Kh = 15.0 darcies

Kv = 1.5 darcies

Porosity = 35%

Kh = 15.0 darcies

Kv = 1.5 darcies

Porosity = 35%

Kh = 15.0 darcies

Kv = 1.5 darcies

Porosity = 35%

Kh = 20.0 darcies

Kv = 2.0 darcies

Porosity = 35%

Kh = 150.0 darcies

Kv = 15.0 darcies

Porosity = 45%

Kh = 4.0 darcies

Kv = 4.0 darcies

Porosity = 35%

Kh = 15.0 darcies

Kv = 1.5 darcies

Porosity = 35%

Landfill

Landfill Cap

SVI-1 SVE-1VMW

SVI-1Screen Interval

(203’-283’)

SVI-1Screen Interval

(175’-180’)

SVI-1Screen Interval

(95’-100’)

SVI-1Screen Interval

(135’-140’)

SVI-1Screen Interval

(45’-50’)

SVE-1Screen Interval

75’ -80’

SVE-1Screen Interval

130’ - 135’

SVE-1Screen Interval

150’ - 200’

SVE-1Screen Interval

240’ - 245’

VMW - 1AScreen Interval

(85’ - 90’)

VMW - 1BScreen Interval

(135’ - 140’)

1/14/99

Permeability Distribution for the

Harrison Landfill Model

Note: KH = horizontal permeability KV = vertical permeability

H:\69200\Figures\Permeability Distribution.ppt

The Baro-Pneumatic Method: Measured Vertical Permeability and LFG Generation Rate at SVI-1,

Harrison Landfill, Tucson

13.20

13.25

13.30

13.35

13.40

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0Time (days)

Pre

ss

ure

(p

si)

Measured Atmospheric PressureMeasured Pressure 100' BGSModeled Pressure 100' BGS (without LFG)Modeled Pressure 100' BGS (with LFG)

LFG = 740 cfmKv(vertical permeability= 15 darcies (.015 cm/sec)φg (gas porosity) ~ 0.24

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

SVE Design Parameters Derived from SVE Performance

Optimization by Numerical Modeling

Need a total of 3 perimeter extraction wells and just one, central air injection well Injection well screened at deeper intervals than extraction wellsInjection wells and extraction wells operate at same rate of flow (250 scfm each.

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Simulation of VCOC Remediation Progress

(Month.Year)

SVI

SVE

SVE

SVE

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

SVI-1

SVE-1

SVE-2 SVE-3

2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

easting in feet

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

nort

hing

in fe

et

15102030

SVI-1

SVE-1

SVE-2 SVE-3

2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

easting in feet

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

nort

hing

in fe

et

PC E in ug/l

S im u la ted V a d o se P C E C o n cen tra tio n s J u st A b o v e th e W a ter T a b le

in itia l conditions after 3 m onths sve operation

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

SVI-1

SVE-1

SVE-2 SVE-3

2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

easting in feet

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

nort

hing

in fe

et

15102030

SVI-1

SVE-1

SVE-2 SVE-3

2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

easting in feet

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

nort

hing

in fe

et

PC E in ug/l

S im u la ted V a d o se P C E C o n cen tra tio n s J u st A b o v e th e W a ter T a b le

after 3 years sve operationafter 1 year sve operation

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Comparing Optimized Harrison Landfill SVE Design Layout to Conventional “Radius of Influence” (ROI) Layout

Based on SVE well tests, and interpretation by our well pneumatics software, ASAP, the achievable SVE pumping rate for each well is 250 standard ft3/min (scfm) and the ROI of each well is 200 feet (at a steady-state vacuum of 0.03 inches H2O).

Setting a well grid at 300 feet between wells provides 25% overlap of the circles defined by a 200-foot ROI. The resulting Harrison Landfill ROI well array is illustrated in the following slide.

● 200-FOOT ROI WELLS (TOTAL OF 30)

MODEL-OPTIMIZED SVI/SVE WELL LOCATIONS (TOTAL

OF 4)

●

●

●

●

VCOC-CONTAMINATED VADOSE ZONE

●

Site-specific and ROI SVE-Well Arrays

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Cost Comparison of Optimized Harrison SVE Design to Conventional “Radius of Influence”

(ROI) Design

The SVE well array resulting from the use of a 200-foot ROI is comprised of 30 SVE wells, each costing (in 1999) more than $50,000. Thus the total cost for this conventionally designed system’s well construction exceeds $1.5 million dollars, which compares poorly to the $200,000 well cost for the optimized 4-well system. This estimate does not account for the increased costs associated with valving, sumps, gas collection manifolds, and O&M of the more complex ROI-designed system.

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

•Piping (PVC,ABS,Steel, HDPE)•SVE Blower (Lampson spark-proof)•Injection Blower (Roots positive displacement)•Electricity (NEMA4 Enclosures)•Sumps and Off-gas Treatment•Trenching and Cover

SVE Engineering Design

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

SVE System Construction

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

HDPE Welding

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Drainage Crossing Design Details

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

1,000 scfm SVE Installation

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

6/1/99 7/2/99 8/2/99 9/2/99 10/3/99 11/3/99 12/4/99

DATE

PC

E C

on

ce

ntr

ati

on

s (

ug

/L)

VMW-2R-150 ft

VMW-2R-200 ft

PCE Reduction in Deep Soils (VMW-2)

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1/1 1/31 3/2 4/1 5/1 5/31 6/30 7/30 8/29 9/28 10/28 11/27

DATE

To

tal V

OC

Ga

s C

on

ce

ntr

ati

on

s (

ug

/L) VMW-1-90 ft

VMW-1-140 ft

PCE Reduction in Vadose-Zone Soils (VMW-1)

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

PCE Reduction in Harrison Rd. Groundwater

(WR-348A)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

8/8/99 9/7/99 10/7/99 11/6/99 12/6/99DATE

PC

E C

on

cen

trat

ion

(u

g/L

)

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Constituent Concentrations

Average Concentration

(8/02)Mass Removed (through 08/02)

(µg/L) (pounds)ALL VOCs 59 17457

NON-FREON VOCs 28 7709 PCE 5.7 2586

Deep Vadose Zone SVE Source Removal

Mass Removed:

Source Removal Completed as of 8/2002; SVE System Shut Down

Deep SVE System Performance at Harrison Landfill

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

ConclusionsMost unlined arid-zone landfills have and are contaminating groundwater with VCOCs.Landfill-origin chlorinated VCOCs reach groundwater via gas phase transport.Removal of the landfill origin vadose zone VCOCs sources can be accomplished by SVE.Using pneumatic data collection and SVE simulation to develop the engineering design results in Significant capital and operational cost

savingsHigh collection system efficiency and more

rapid remediation

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Suggested Further ReadingCan also be found in: http://www.hgcinc.com/papers.htm

Walter, Gary R. 2002. Fatal Flaws in Measuring Landfill Gas Generation Rates by Empirical Well Testing [PDF] J. Air & Waste Management, 2003 53, p 461Bentley, H.W., S. Smith, J. Tang, and G.R. Walter. 2003. A Method for Estimating the Rate of Landfill Gas Generation by Measurement and Analysis of Barometric Pressure Waves. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 23-26, 2003 Walter, G.R., Geddis, A.M., Murray, R., Bentley, H.W. 2003. Vapor Phase Transport as a Groundwater Contamination Process at Arid Landfill Sites [PDF]. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 23-26, 2003 Bentley, H.W., S.J. Smith, and T. Schrauf. 2005. Baro-pneumatic Estimation of Landfill Gas Generation Rates at Four Operating Landfills. Proceedings, SWANA’s 28th Annual Landfill Gas Symposium, March 7-10, 2005 Smith, S.J., H.W. Bentley, and K. Reaves. 2006. Systematic Design of Methane Migration Control Systems. Proceedings, 29th Annual SWANA Landfill Gas Symposium, St. Petersburg FL, March 27-30. 18 pp.

HYDROGEOCHEMINC.

Contact Information

Harold W. Bentley, Ph.D.Principal ScientistHydro Geo Chem, Inc.51 W. Wetmore Road

Ste 101Tucson, AZ 85705Phone:  520 293-1500 x 111

Cell:      520 991-5272FAX:      520 293-1550email: haroldb@hgcinc.com Website: www.hgcinc.com

Stewart Smith, MS.Associate HydrogeologistHydro Geo Chem, Inc.51 W. Wetmore RoadSte 101Tucson, AZ 85705Phone:  520 293-1500 x 111FAX:      520 293-1550email: stewarts@hgcinc.com Website: www.hgcinc.com