Simulation of "Pump and Treat" and Air Sparging for In-Situ Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater

Abstract

Industrial contamination leakage into groundwater resources is increasing during recent years. Unlike surface water resources, lots of contaminants are stable in groundwater. Hence, several technologies, like Pump-and-Treat (PAT) and Air Sparging (AS), are being used in order to remedy contaminated aquifers. Despite of suggestions about using these two technologies together, there is no integrated simulation model for these two technologies. Using existing models for PAT simulation and combining them with AS simulation model, an integrated model for simulation of these technologies in field scale has been developed in this study. In addition to model validation, remediation of Bagher-Shahr aquifer (west of Tehran refinery)  from MTBE by using AS and PAT technologies has been evaluated during a case study. Based on the suggested design for local remediation of MTBE plume in Bagher-Shar aquifer (without facility installation inside the city area) and during a five- year simulation period, mass of contaminant inside the city area is decreased to half of the initial mass