Diagnostic Tools for Integrated In Situ Air Sparging Pilot Tests

Abstract

In situ air sparging (IAS) pilot test procedures have been developed that provide rapid, on-site information about IAS performance. The standard pilot test consists of six activities conducted to look for indicators of infeasibility and to characterize the air distribution to the extent necessary to make design decisions about IAS well placement. In addition, safety hazards that need to be addressed prior to full-scale design are identified. Two additional pilot test activities are described in those cases where air distribution must be more precisely defined. The test activities include both chemical tests (tracking contaminant concentrations, dissolved oxygen and tracers) and physical tests (air flow rate and injection pressure, groundwater pressure response). Pilot test data from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska illustrates implementation of the pilot test and interpretation of the data.