Tuesday, November 6, 2007 : 3:00 p.m.
Field Comparison of Oxygen Distribution Technologies for Stimulation of Aerobic Biodegradation of Oxygenates
There is keen interest in oxygen injection systems owing to the increased evidence of in situ aerobic biodegradation of gasoline constituents such as oxygenates, e.g., MTBE and TBA. Significant remediation-cost reductions are possible by stimulating indigenous microorganisms to degrade contaminants of concern by adding oxygen. Various commercial oxygen injection approaches are being marketed with little (or no) credible evidence supporting their claims.
A field demonstration of three commercial oxygen distribution technologies was performed in side-by-side test cells at the Port Hueneme, CA NETTS field site. Each 50 by 50 ft. test cell was instrumented with 60 to 80 monitoring wells and sampled at 4 to 6 week intervals to evaluate oxygen distribution in a medium-sand aquifer. After 1 month of operation, the pulsed gas injection test cell showed a 10 to 20-foot oxygen-enriched (dissolved oxygen > 4 ppm) ROI , the microbubble-based technology test cell showed a 5 to 15-foot oxygen-enriched ROI, and the diffusion-based technology test cell showed no influence outside the injection well (less than 1.5-foot ROI). After 3 months, each test cell showed essentially stable dissolved oxygen signatures. These results along with our test methodology will be discussed.
This presentation will also illustrate the stability of the oxygen plumes in the pulsed gas injection and microbuble-based technologies test cells by mapping dissolved oxygen concentrations at 6, 12, and 18 weeks after cessation of oxygen injection.
Gerard E. Spinnler, Ph.D., P.G., Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc. Gerard Spinnler is a Senior Consultant in Shell Global Solutions (U.S.) Inc. He received Geology degrees from Long Island Univeristy, Miami Univeristy and Arizona State University. His work involves remediation on primarily petroleum-related sites. He has interests in bioremediation, biostimulation, vapor intrusion and faith-based remediation.
Cristin L. Bruce, Ph.D., Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc. Cristin Bruce is a Consutant at Shell Global Solution (U.S.) Inc. She works on a variety of petroleum-retlated environmental issues for retail, refining and exploration and production. Cristin also works in the area of product ID and forensic analysis.
Paul R. Dahlen, Ph.D., Arizona State University Paul Dahlen received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Arizona State University. He is an Assistant Professor of Research at ASU. His work involves research in fate and transport of contaminants and soil and groundwater remediation techniques.
Jennifer L. Triplett Kingston, M.S., Arizona State University Jennifer Triplett Kingston recived B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geological Enginering from Univerisy of Missouri- Rolla and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at ASU. She is working in the area of soil and groundwater remediation with emphasis on in situ thermal remediation techniques.
Paul C. Johnson, Ph.D., Arizona State University Paul C. Johnson is an Executive Dean of the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State Univeristy. He has worked in the environmental area since 1987, having numerous patents and publications. He is Editor in Chief for the NGWA's journal, Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation.