Monday, November 5, 2007 : 1:50 p.m.

An Assessment of LNAPL Mobility to Evaluate the Potential for Commingling of Two Large LNAPL Plumes

Robert J. Frank, RG, CH2M Hill

Historical and recent releases of fuel from underground storage tanks and pipelines at a manufacturing and testing facility created a 45-acre zone of light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) hydrocarbons beneath the Site. The nature and extent of the LNAPL has been evaluated through the installation of over 50 groundwater monitoring wells, with free product encountered in 30 of the wells since 1999. Due to the proximity of a large off-site LNAPL release located approximately 1000 feet downgradient of the Site, an evaluation of free product mobility was performed to estimate the potential for commingling of the two areas of LNAPL. Theoretical mobility values were compared to measured hydrocarbon transmissivities and free product recovery rates to check the validity of the theoretical calculations.

Calculations using baildown test data from a monitoring well (MW-A) located near the downgradient extent of the LNAPL resulted in a hydrocarbon velocity range of zero to approximately 2.33 feet/year based on 2003 thickness measurements, and zero to 1.85 feet/year based on the 2004 thickness measurements. By comparison, the groundwater beneath the Site is estimated to flow at approximately 200 to 300 feet/year.

Using the thickness of free product measured at the furthest downgradient extent can give an indication of the potential movement of the leading edge of the LNAPL. Assuming the monitoring well located at the downgradient edge of the LNAPL release (MW-B) has a similar LNAPL saturation profile and hydrocarbon conductivity as MW-A, the measured free product thickness in MW-B resulted in an LNAPL velocity range of zero to approximately 0.67 feet/year, or a maximum of only about 8 inches/year. The mobility assessment was used to show that the two LNAPL plumes will not commingle based on current conditions, distance between the plumes, and no future releases of LNAPL to the subsurface.

Robert J. Frank, RG, CH2M Hill Robert J. Frank, R.G. is a senior hydrogeologist at CH2M HILL in Tempe, Arizona. He is a registered geologist in the State of Arizona and holds a M.S. degree in hydrogeology from San Diego State University. His research interests and project experience focus on the distribution, mobility, and remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents in the subsurface.


[ Manuscript ] Manuscript

Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Detection, and Remediation® Conference