Modeling Catalytic Destruction of Subsurface Contaminants in Recirculating Wells

Groundwater and soil contamination is a significant problem throughout the nation, with approximately 300,000 to 400,000 sites affected (National Research Council, 1994). Examples of groundwater contaminants of special interest to DoD and AF installations include fuel hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and nitroaromatic compounds. Traditional remediation technologies, which include pump-and-treat, pen%permeable reactive barriers, and natural attenuation, have numerous drawbacks associated with them. These drawbacks have prompted researchers to look for innovative contamination clean- up methods. The technology investigated in this thesis, reticulating horizontal flow treatment wells (HFTWs) with in-well palladium (Pd) catalyst reactors, offers the potential for destruction of groundwater contaminants commonly found at USAF and DoD installations at less expense, more safely and effectively, and without the need to pump contaminated water to the surface, In this study, a numerical model was used to simulate application of the remediation technology under different site conditions for a number of contaminants of interest. It was found that the HFTW system with in-well Pd catalyst reactors had potential to remediate groundwater contaminants of DoD interest. Based only on this modeling study, however, it was unclear whether the technology could reduce contaminant concentrations enough to meet regulatory standards downgradient of the treatment system. Further experimental study is recommended, both in the laboratory and in the field, to quantify the efficacy of the technology in treating various contaminants of concern.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH School of Engineering and Management is the author of 'Modeling Catalytic Destruction of Subsurface Contaminants in Recirculating Wells', published 2003 under ISBN 9781423514091 and ISBN 1423514092.