Air Sparging for the Treatment of Chlorinated Solvent Plumes

Abstract

In its simplest form, in situ air sparging (IAS) is a source zone and dissolved groundwater plume remediation technology that involves injection of air into an aquifer through a collection of vertical wells screened below the water table. Modifications to this basic design may include the use of horizontal wells placed below the water table, vertical wells placed in an engineered trench, the delivery of gaseous reactants (hydrogen, propane, oxygen, etc.), the use of vapor recovery and treatment systems, pulsing of the gas injection and heating of the injection gas. The basic process components of IAS systems are shown in Figure 14.1.