In Situ Thermal Remediation for Source Areas: Technology Advances and a Review of the Market From 1988–2020

Horst, John; Munholland, Jonah; Hegele, Paul R.; Klemmer, Mark; Gattenby, Jessica

doi:10.1111/gwmr.12424

Cited by 24 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…The results obtained confirm the capability of ERH to significantly reduce the concentrations of chlorinated solvents in soil and groundwater, including contamination residing in low-permeability layers. The observed reduction of solvents in clays is expected to reduce the potential for back-diffusion of contaminants into the overlying aquifer (Horst et al, 2021;U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014;Gavaskar et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Army Corps of Engineers, 2014;Gavaskar et al, 2007). An additional benefit of ERH is that it is a rapid technique, meaning source treatment can lead to the achievement of remedial targets within a short timeframe (Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable, 2022;Horst et al, 2021); as confirmed by the described application of ERH, which allowed extraction of roughly 600 kg of chlorinated solvents in 8 months. Where these remain, further reduction of dissolved phase contaminant concentrations in the aquifer is expected in the future, due to natural attenuation, which will likely have been enhanced by the thermal treatment process ( Nelson, et.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hydraulic barriers can be effective to avoid contaminated groundwater migration but cannot remediate source zones (i.e., subsoil areas with high concentrations of adsorbed contaminants or those present as Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid), since the dissolution rate of such contaminants is generally slow, which can result in hydraulic barriers operating for decades (USEPA, 2021;Antelmi et al,2020;Cohen et al, 1997). This is why international best practices on remediation suggest to integrate hydraulic barriers with more aggressive source treatment techniques, that can accelerate the extraction or degradation of contaminants, reducing the remediation timeframe, restoring the sites for beneficial reuse and increasing remediation resilience (USEPA, 2021;Horst et al, 2021;Eupolis Lombardia, 2015;Voudrias E.A., 2001;Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable, 1995;USEPA, 1994). However, it must be considered that the achievement of stringent groundwater quality standards (e.g., drinking water values) at a downgradient boundary within a reasonable timeframe may not be technically achievable, despite the use of the most aggressive remedial technologies (e.g., Excavation and Disposal, In Situ Thermal Treatment (ISTT) or In Situ Chemical Oxidation/Reduction).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ISTT systems achieve a high degree of remediation performance (Horst et al, 2021;USEPA 2019;USEPA 2014), using a variety of heating methods that are selected mainly based on subsurface permeability and treatment temperature required. ERH is a heating methodology that involves passing electrical current through unsaturated or saturated soil, resulting in increased subsurface temperatures of up to 110°C.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Remediation of chlorinated solvents with Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH) at an active industrial site in Italy

Mori,

Baldock,

Gigliuto

et al. 2023

AS-ITJGW

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Italian legislation defines stringent groundwater chemical quality criteria, to be applied at a site’s downgradient property boundary, irrespective of whether the underlying aquifer is, or could be, used for water resource purposes. In some scenarios, the regulatory authorities may identify less stringent standards, but this rarely occurs. This means that many sites with groundwater contamination are managed using hydraulic barriers, as source zone remediation may not achieve the stringent groundwater standards required due to technology limits or time constraints; therefore, the parties responsible for contamination often decide to continue to operate these hydraulic barriers indefinitely. This article describes the first application in Italy of source treatment using Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH), a remediation technology capable of removing a large percentage of contaminant mass, at a site where a hydraulic barrier is operating within a low yielding aquifer that is not used for water supply. The implementation of this technology was possible since the source zone was far from the downgradient site boundary, thus making achievement of the stringent quality standards at the boundary possible within a reasonable timeframe. The ERH system recovered of about 600 kg of contaminants within a timeframe of 8 months and achieved a reduction of contaminant concentrations in the most impacted areas greater than 90%. This article also emphasizes that, in similar low yielding aquifers, setting less stringent groundwater standards at the site boundary whilst still protecting downgradient receptors may promote more widespread implementation of source remediation activities in Italy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Remediation of chlorinated solvents with Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH) at an active industrial site in Italy

Mori,

Baldock,

Gigliuto

et al. 2023

AS-ITJGW

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“…One of the most common ISTR technologies for treating chlorinated solvent source zones is thermal conduction heating (TCH) (Horst et al 2021). TCH can be implemented using smaller diameter borings (heater casing diameter of 2 to 3 in.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of the Practice Worldwide: Complex Installation for In Situ Thermal Remediation Beneath an Active Manufacturing Facility

Heron,

Thomas,

Crownover

et al. 2023

Groundwater Monitoring Rem

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In situ thermal remediation (ISTR) was used to treat a vadose‐zone source of trichloroethylene present at depths of 60 to 125 ft. below an occupied building at an active manufacturing facility. ISTR required innovative methods to install 135 steel casings from inside the building that included access limitations, space constraints that required angled borings and pre‐modeling of rig mast positions, control measures to manage exhaust from up to four drill rigs operating simultaneously, adjustments to heater wiring to limit temperatures in shallow soils leading to indoor air heating and potential for vapor intrusion, and ensure proper positioning and trajectory of closely spaced heaters. The installed heater casings were surveyed using a Devi‐Flex™ tool to monitor heater placement in casings that ranged from 87 to 196 ft. at angles between 90° and 30° from horizontal and periodically had to compensate for deflections caused by cobbles and boulders. Additional casings were installed to ensure adequate heater spacings in cases where deviations exceeded design parameters. ISTR was conducted using custom‐built thermal conduction heaters designed to minimize heat output in the shallow vadose zone and inside the building while temperatures in the lower vadose zone were maintained near boiling. Cables, vapor extraction pipes, and exhaust ducts were routed overhead and through the building roof to minimize disturbance to manufacturing operations. To expedite remediation, three groups of heaters and vapor recovery wells were installed and operated in overlapping periods. The major challenges and solutions for ISTR design, construction, and operation are presented. Operations and remedial results are covered in a companion paper.

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Advances in Low-Temperature Thermal Remediation

Munholland,

Rosso,

Randhawa

et al. 2023

Environmental Contamination Remediation and Management

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Remediation through traditional high-temperature thermal techniques (over 100 °C) are designed to remove contaminants like petroleum hydrocarbons via enhanced mobilization and volatilization. However, remedies of this nature can require significant infrastructure, capital, operational and maintenance costs, along with high energy demands and carbon footprints. Conversely, low-temperature thermal approaches (in the mesophilic range of ~15–40 °C) are an inexpensive and more sustainable method that can enhance the physical, biological, and chemical processes to remove contaminants. Heat transfer properties of subsurface sediments and other geological materials do not vary considerably and are relatively independent of grain size, unlike hydraulic properties that can vary several orders of magnitude within a site and often limit the pace of remediation of many in-situ technologies. Therefore, low-temperature thermal remediation is a promising alternative that can remediate contaminant mass present in both high- and low-permeability settings, including fractured rock. Emergence of risk-based non-aqueous phase liquid management approaches and sustainable best management practices further offer a platform for low-temperature thermal remedies to advance petroleum hydrocarbon remediation with lower capital and operational costs. Case studies demonstrating this approach along with preliminary sustainability comparisons of the associated reduced energy use and carbon footprint are described in this chapter.

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In Situ Thermal Remediation for Source Areas: Technology Advances and a Review of the Market From 1988–2020

Cited by 24 publications

References 60 publications

Remediation of chlorinated solvents with Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH) at an active industrial site in Italy

Remediation of chlorinated solvents with Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH) at an active industrial site in Italy

State of the Practice Worldwide: Complex Installation for In Situ Thermal Remediation Beneath an Active Manufacturing Facility

Advances in Low-Temperature Thermal Remediation

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