Monday, November 5, 2007 : 10:00 a.m.

Characteristics of DNAPL Derived from MGP Facilities

Jeffrey A. Johnson, Ph.D., PG, Acton-Mickelson Environmental Inc.

Coal tar is a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) that was produced as a by product of manufactured gas plants (MGP).  The product resulted from superheated steam being blown over hot coal to produce a gas-steam mixture. The resultant volatiles were captured and distributed, whereas the condensed liquid fraction accumulated as coal tar. The manufactured gas process was active from the 1800’s to mid-1900’s, and it has been estimated that historically over 32,000 MGP facilities were operational in North America. Environmental impacts are commonly observed at these facilities. Despite variations in operations, materials, and site conditions, similarities are apparent in the nature of the subsurface DNAPL impacts. This paper summarizes the general character of the DNAPL impacts documented from dozens of sites located in different hydrogeologic conditions.  

Results of the summary study indicate that despite different materials and processes, most coal tars have general similarities in composition, physical properties, and transport. Chemically, coal tars are dominated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, primarily naphthalene, methylnapthalenes and phenanthrene. The density of most coal tars is generally less than 1.1 g/cc. However, denser coal tars ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 g/cc occur, and these tars are generally composed of heavier polycyclic aromatic compounds. The viscosity of coal tars is variable generally range from about 30 cP to 100 cP. The surface and interfacial tensions of most coal tars ranges from 25 to 35 dynes/cm and 20 to 30 dynes/cm, respectively. As a result of these physical properties, the migration of coal tars from a source area is generally limited. In particular, with a density near water and an elevated viscosity the vertical and lateral migration of coal tars is generally limited. As such, the physical properties of coal tar produce uniquely different impacts when compared to other DNAPLs such as chlorinated solvents. 

Jeffrey A. Johnson, Ph.D., PG, Acton-Mickelson Environmental Inc. Dr. Jeffrey A. Johnson has over 25 years of professional experience in natural resource assessment, site characterization, remedial operations, and technical analyses. He has worked on various projects throughout North America for major petroleum corporations, legal firms, manufacturing companies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For the past 10 years, he has worked extensively in the characterization and remediation of LNAPL and DNAPL sites. He is a Senior Technical Consultant for Acton-Mickelson Environmental, Inc. Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a Certified and Registered Professional Geologist and a Licensed Remediation Specialist.


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