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

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 : 1:05 p.m.

In Situ "Advanced Mixed Oxidation" Technology: Improvements In Radical Production and Oxidant Activation Chemistry

Raymond G. Ball, Ph.D., PE, LSP, Thomas S. Weymouth, EIT and James R. Elsenbeck, EnChem Engineering Inc.

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is commonly used to remediate volatile organic compounds (VOCs; i.e. petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents), but has a number of potential complications, including difficulty in treating recalcitrant compounds (i.e. methyl-tert-butyl ether [MTBE], tert-butyl alcohol [TBA], chlorinated ethanes).  EnChem Engineering, Inc. has developed new, patent-pending oxidation chemistry for subsurface remediation of VOCs, with a focus on the breakdown of these recalcitrant compounds via enhanced radical production.  This chemistry utilizes the latest in advanced mixed oxidation technology to generate a variety of radical species in situ depending on solution pH and temperature.  These radical species include hydroxyl radical, sulfate radical, perhydroxyl radical, and superoxide radical.  

Contaminant rebound is another significant complication that commonly arises in ISCO applications.  In addition to providing rapid oxidation via radical species, the advanced mixed oxidation chemistry persists in the subsurface for several months after a single injection, depending on site conditions.  This persistence provides an oxidant buffer that prevents low-level contaminant rebound, reducing the need for repeated ISCO applications.  A thorough discussion of the chemistry will be presented with additional discussion of several case studies involving recalcitrant compounds where this technology has been implemented.

Raymond G. Ball, Ph.D., PE, LSP, EnChem Engineering Inc. Dr. Ball is the CEO of EnChem Engineering, Inc. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts. Dr. Ball holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University. Dr. Ball has 28 years of national experience with environmental issues related to organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment. He has developed several patents in ISCO technology for EnChem Engineering Inc.

Thomas S. Weymouth, EIT, EnChem Engineering Inc. Mr. Weymouth is a Project Manager with EnChem Engineering, Inc. He holds a B.S. in Geology from Bates College, and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Weymouth has several years of hazardous waste site investigation and remediation experience. His specialty is in the field implementation of ISCO using advanced mixed oxidation technology. He is also involved with bench and pilot scale studies as well as on-going process development.

James R. Elsenbeck, EnChem Engineering Inc. Mr. Elsenbeck is a Project Geologist/Geophysicist with EnChem Engineering, Inc. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a M.S. in Marine Geology and Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Mr. Elsenbeck has several years of hazardous waste site investigation and remediation experience. His specialty is in the optimization of subsurface investigation to advanced mixed oxidation technology process control. He is also involved with bench and pilot-scale studies and research and development activities.


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