Design of Dry Barriers for Containment of Contaminants in Unsaturated Soils

Abstract

AbstractA dry barrier consists of a laterally continuous soil layer that is dried by air flow. Dry atmospheric air is passed through a soil layer (preferably of a coarse texture). accumulates water vapor, then emerges from the formation as moist air. Removal of soil moisture limits or prevent downward water movement. Drying a soil layer with air is possible when atmospheric air contains less water vapor than soil pore gas. The design of an effective dry barrier is highly site dependent and requires knowledge of the site geology, of the extent of the contaminant plume, and climatic conditions. Climatic conditions at the site are important in two ways: (1) the efficiency of atmospheric air in drying: soil depends on its absolute humidity: and (2) the amount of infiltration from precipitation influences how much water has to be removed from the soil to maintain a dry barrier. The size of the barrier, combined with the climatic conditions, determines the air flow required to maintain the system. while the hydraulic characteristics of the soils determine the location and design of air injection and extraction wells. The electric power rate structure must be known to calculate operating costs. The principal factors which determine the feasibility of a dry barrier include: (1) the climate at the site and, most importantly, low‐absolute atmospheric humidity during much of the year; (2) a substantial unsaturated zone; and (3) the ability to circulate air through the unsaturated zone. The amount of initial soil moisture in the layer through which air is circulated may be an important factor in the feasibility of a dry barrier. A design study is presented that illustrates the trade‐offs between high capital costs of constructing a large number of air circulation wells vs. the high operating costs required to pump large volume of air over long distances through fewer wells. This study found that, under conditions similar to those in many arid regions, a dry barrier may be a technically and economically viable method of providing temporary waste containment.