Light Non-aqueous Phase Liquids Thickness Research Articles

Predicting Vertical LNAPL Distribution in the Subsurface under the Fluctuating Water Table Effect

AbstractThe present study proposes a methodology for predicting the vertical light nonaqueous‐phase liquids (LNAPLs) distribution within an aquifer by considering the influence of water table fluctuations. The LNAPL distribution is predicted by combining (1) information on air/LNAPL and LNAPL/water interface elevations with (2) the initial elevation of the water table without LNAPL effect. Data used in the present study were collected during groundwater monitoring undertaken over a period of 4 months at a LNAPL‐impacted observation well. In this study, the water table fluctuations raised the free LNAPL in the subsurface to an elevation of 206.63 m, while the lowest elevation was 205.70 m, forming a thickness of 0.93 m of LNAPL‐impacted soil. Results show that the apparent LNAPL thickness in the observation well is found to be three times greater than the actual free LNAPL thickness in soil; a finding that agrees with previous studies reporting that apparent LNAPL thickness in observation wells typically exceeds the free LNAPL thickness within soil by a factor estimated to range between 2 and 10. The present study provides insights concerning the transient variation of LNAPL distribution within the subsurface and highlights the capability of the proposed methodology to mathematically predict the actual LNAPL thickness in the subsurface, without the need to conduct laborious field tests. Practitioners can use the proposed methodology to determine by how much the water table should be lowered, through pumping, to isolate the LNAPL‐impacted soil within the unsaturated zone, which can then be subjected to in situ vadose zone remedial treatment.

Evaluation of LNAPL Behavior in Water Table Inter-Fluctuate Zone under Groundwater Drawdown Condition

We investigate the movement of LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquid) into and out of monitoring wells in an immediate-scale experimental cell. Aquifer material grain size and LNAPL viscosity are two factors that are varied in three experiments involving lowering and rising water levels. There are six monitoring wells at varying distances from a LNAPL injection point and a water pumping well. We established steady water flow through the aquifer materials prior to LNAPL injection. Water pumping lowered the water levels in the aquifer materials. Terminating water pumping raised the water levels in the aquifer materials. Our focus was to record the LNAPL thickness in the monitoring wells under transient conditions. Throughout the experiments, we measured the elevations of the air-LNAPL and LNAPL-water interfaces in the monitoring wells to obtain the LNAPL thicknesses in the wells. We analyze the results and give plausible explanations. The data presented can be employed to test multiphase flow numerical models.

A numerical model to optimize LNAPL remediation by multi-phase extraction

Light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) contaminated sites pose a risk to human health and the natural environment. Multi-phase extraction (MPE) is one of the most widely used technologies to remediate these sites. Thus, it is important to optimize MPE systems to improve their effectiveness and cost-efficiency. In this study, we developed a numerical model to optimize LNAPL mass removal by MPE, in which the aquifer domain was simplified as a cylinder with a single MPE extraction well located at the center. A dual-pump extraction system was applied to the model, which involved vacuum enhanced recovery to remove volatilized gaseous phase contaminants and a submerged pump to remove NAPL and contaminants in groundwater. After the model was validated with field data, the results showed that the contaminant extraction rate varied with the LNAPL thickness and submerged pump position. For benzene selected as the contaminant of concern, greater LNAPL extraction rates were achieved when the initial LNAPL thickness was large (>1.5 m) or in aquifers of high permeability (>2.45 × 10−10 m2). Importantly, it was discovered that in highly permeable coarse sand and gravel, the submerged pump ought to be placed within the LNAPL layer, whereas the pump should be placed below the water-NAPL interface in fine to medium sand aquifers. It was also found that an optimal liquid pumping rates exist, beyond which contaminant mass removal rates do not increase. Furthermore, it was found that in aquifers contaminated with thin LNAPL layers, mass transfer modelling that assumes equilibrium between the phases may greatly overestimate the accumulated mass of contaminants removed and, therefore, non-equilibrium modelling should be adopted. Finally, a cost analysis was carried out to compare the costs of remediating a contaminated site with MPE and by an alternative chemical oxidation approach. The MPE technology was found to be more cost effective when the initial thickness of LNAPL was relatively thin. In summary, the numerical model developed in this study is a useful tool for optimizing MPE system design.

Numerical Modeling of Multiphase Extraction (MPE) Aiming at LNAPL Recovery in Tropical Soils

Subsurface contamination by light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL) is a widespread global problem that requires appropriate techniques to remediate soil and groundwater. In this paper, the subsurface transport over multiple phases (STOMP) model was used to simulate LNAPL multiphase flow and transport during multiphase extraction (MPE) application in two Brazilian tropical soils (silty sand and oxisol) contaminated by diesel. The model was applied to a hypothetical contamination site, with the initial LNAPL thickness observed in well extraction. The first part consisted of the MPE system sensitivity analysis, varying the applied vacuum and tip tube position. The Van Genuchten α parameter and hydraulic conductivity were the properties that most affected LNAPL saturation and fluid extraction volumes. Suitable applied vacuum and tip tube position parametrization was imperative for the efficiency of LNAPL extraction. After the definition of an appropriate MPE system configuration, simulations demonstrated that the immobile LNAPL saturation affected fluid extraction and diesel oil concentrations in aqueous and gas saturation. The model applied is able to predict LNAPL contaminant behavior in porous media during MPE technique application.

Light non-aqueous phase liquids simulation using artificial intelligence models: Esmaeilabad aquifer case study

One of the most important pollutants in the aquifers adjacent to oil facilities is LNAPL (Light non-aqueous phase liquids). LNAPL recovery from the aquifer is one of the fastest and most convenient methods for aquifer cleanup. Identifying LNAPL thickness and fluctuations is very important to determine the LNAPL recovering method and maximizing the recovery. The feasibility of two artificial intelligence models including gene expression programming (GEP), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and classical multivariate linear regression (MLR) techniques are investigated in this study for LNAPL level forecasting. Discharge rate of LNAPL and groundwater level fluctuations were used as input attributes for the developed GEP, ANFIS and MLR models. Based on the comparison of three methods, it was found that the GEP could be successfully utilized in forecasting LNAPL level fluctuations in recovery process. Also, the GEP models can identify the relationship between dependent and independent variables and provide an equation. The identified equation based on GEP can be useful for planning the recovery method and algorithms. The results indicate that there is a high degree of agreement between the predicted values of the GEP based equation and the actual values.

Impact of the water table fluctuations on the apparent thickness of light non-aqueous phase liquids

The light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) percolating into the subsurface from damaged underground storage tanks, pipelines cisterns and from the unsealed landfills present a threat to soil and groundwater. If a layer of LNAPL floats on the groundwater table the initial step of remediation should be its recovery. In order to a proper design of LNAPL recovery an assessment of the mobile LNAPL volume is required. This volume can be determined on the base of a thickness of LNAPL layer in the porous medium (the actual thickness) or on the base of LNAPL specific volume. Then the LNAPL actual thickness and specific volume are estimated on the base of the LNAPL thickness measured in the monitoring well (the apparent thickness). Unfortunately, the actual LNAPL thickness is always different from the apparent LNAPL thickness. This difference depends on the properties of soil and the amount and properties of LNAPL. Additional factors influencing significantly the difference between apparent and actual thicknesses are the fluctuations of the water table level (the hydraulic head fluctuations). The major objectives of this study became to investigate the impact of hydraulic head fluctuations on the measured apparent and actual LNAPL thicknesses. Obtained results show that when the hydraulic head diminishes, the apparent thickness of LNAPL increases and the actual thickness decreases. Instead, when the hydraulic head again rises, the apparent thickness decreases, and the actual thickness increases. When the hydraulic head rises considerably it can take place that the free product don’t be present in the observation well. The results affirm that hydraulic head fluctuations complicate considerably the estimation of the actual thickness and the mobile volume of LNAPL on the base of the apparent LNAPL thickness measured in the observation well.

Refinement of Bouwer‐Rice Baildown Test Analysis

AbstractThe recoverability of light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPL) in the subsurface can be estimated using LNAPL transmissivity. LNAPL transmissivity is analogous to aquifer transmissivity in that it represents the volume of LNAPL that flows through a unit width of a porous medium for a unit gradient in a unit time. Methods for estimating LNAPL transmissivity from baildown test data have been modified from the Bouwer and Rice (1976) slug test method by Lundy and Zimmerman (1996) and Huntley (2000). The primary assumptions when estimating LNAPL transmissivity with the Bouwer‐Rice method include, a quasi‐steady‐state model for recharge to the well (the model assumes steady‐state radial flow to the well with rate dependent well drawdown and no storage effects) and that the ratio of change in LNAPL drawdown to change in LNAPL thickness at the well (ds/db) is constant. This ratio will be referred to as the j‐ratio. Rather than having to meet boundary conditions for a predetermined j‐ratio value, each baildown test provides the data to estimate the j‐ratio value that is unique to that data set. This calculation methodology in turn results in the Bouwer‐Rice method being applicable to a wider range of baildown tests where it is not required for the potentiometric surface or LNAPL/water interface to remain constant.

Use of Single-Well Tracer Dilution Tests to Evaluate LNAPL Flux at Seven Field Sites

Petroleum liquids, referred to as light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs), are commonly found beneath petroleum facilities. Concerns with LNAPLs include migration into clean soils, migration beyond property boundaries, and discharges to surface water. Single-well tracer dilution techniques were used to measure LNAPL fluxes through 50 wells at 7 field sites. A hydrophobic tracer was mixed into LNAPL in a well. Intensities of fluorescence associated with the tracer were measured over time using a spectrometer and a fiber optic cable. LNAPL fluxes were estimated using observed changes in the tracer concentrations over time. Measured LNAPL fluxes range from 0.006 to 2.6 m/year with a mean and median of 0.15 and 0.064 m/year, respectively. Measured LNAPL fluxes are two to four orders of magnitude smaller than a common groundwater flux of 30 m/year. Relationships between LNAPL fluxes and possible governing parameters were evaluated. Observed LNAPL fluxes are largely independent of LNAPL thickness in wells. Natural losses of LNAPL through dissolution, evaporation, and subsequent biodegradation, were estimated using a simple mass balance, measured LNAPL fluxes in wells, and an assumed stable LNAPL extent. The mean and median of the calculated loss rates were found to be 24.0 and 5.0 m3/ha/year, respectively. Mean and median losses are similar to values reported by others. Coupling observed LNAPL fluxes to observed rates of natural LNAPL depletion suggests that natural losses of LNAPL may be an important parameter controlling the overall extent of LNAPL bodies.

Estimation of actual LNAPL thickness at a fuel-contaminated Arctic mine site

The estimation of recoverable mobile free product or light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) is important in monitoring and selecting appropriate remedial techniques. This study used a field empirical approach to estimate the actual product thickness at the Colomac mine site in the Northwest Territories (NWT), which has extensive fuel contamination. The empirical approaches used are described by Hughes et al. (1988) and the modified Gruszczenski method. Of the two, only the latter provided useful estimates of actual LNAPL thickness in the tank farm area where most of the contamination occurred. The estimated LNAPL thickness at the site is 8 cm. Later excavation at the site corroborated this estimated value.

Large scale and long term application of bioslurping: The case of a Greek petroleum refinery site

This paper presents the course and the remediation results of a 4-year application of bioslurping technology on the subsurface of a Greek petroleum refinery, which is still under full operation and has important and complicated subsurface contamination problems, mainly due to the presence of light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL). About 55 wells are connected to the central bioslurping unit, while a mobile bioslurping unit is also used whenever and wherever is necessary. Moreover, there are about 120 additional wells for the monitoring of the subsurface of the facilities that cover a total area of 1,000,000 m 2. An integrated monitoring program has also been developed and applied on the site, including frequent LNAPL layer depth and thickness measurements, conduction of bail-down and recovery tests, sampling and chemical analysis of the free oil phase, etc., so as to evaluate the remediation technique's efficiency and ensure a prompt tracing of any new potential leak. Despite the occurrence of new leaks within the last 4 years and the observed entrapment of LNAPL in the vadoze zone, bioslurping has managed to greatly restrict the original plume within certain and relatively small parts of the refinery facilities.

The capillary characteristic model of petroleum hydrocarbon saturation in the Permo-Triassic sandstone and its implications for remediation

AbstractUp to 9 × 106 l of light non-aqueous-phase liquid (LNAPL) is present in a 400 m-wide zone in the Permo-Triassic sandstone 30 m below a working industrial site. Remediation by skimmer wells failed to meet the expectations of the regulatory authorities. A detailed study has concluded that this form of remediation is not possible in this formation.Initial estimates of the volume of LNAPL in the sandstone had been made by applying the concept of correcting for an ‘exaggerated thickness’ in the wells and multiplying by the porosity. Regulatory requirements were to remove most, preferably all, of the LNAPL. Site observations and measurements from high-quality core samples showed that the fine pores of the rock obey the capillary characteristic model. This was derived some 50 years ago in the oil production industry but has, in the opinion of the author, not been fully appreciated by the contaminated groundwater remediation sector in the UK. The model has been used to make a more reliable estimate of LNAPL volume and to demonstrate to the regulatory authorities the processes involved and how these control the ability to clean the site.The concept of ‘apparent volume’ is introduced as an overall measure of apparent thickness in the site-wide monitoring borehole network. Apparent volume is shown to be broadly negatively correlated with groundwater-level fluctuations and so the measure of changes in apparent thickness is not a sound basis for regulatory compliance. It was found that LNAPL thickness in wells is less than the thickness of the contaminated zone in the sandstone and, importantly, the degree of saturation is no more than 30%. This leads to a reduction in effective permeability of two orders of magnitude (from the fully saturated condition), which has serious implications for remediation. Most of the LNAPL is immobile and so pumping is ineffective; it does not reduce the volume of aquifer impacted nor does it have any significant effect on reducing the source zone for dissolved-phase generation, the size of any dissolved phase plume or the longevity of such a plume.

Effect of groundwater table fluctuations on LNAPL thickness in monitoring wells

In this paper we present a model for Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) thickness fluctuations in a monitoring well due to transient conditions in an unconfined aquifer. The model is based on volumetric equilibrium and multi-phase Darcian flow principles, which include capillary effects both at the water/LNAPL interface and the LNAPL/air interface. First, the proposed model is validated by data obtained from laboratory experiments. The model is then used to analyze several cases that characterize LNAPL thickness variations in a monitoring well in response to groundwater table oscillations. Our findings indicate that groundwater table fluctuations and capillary pressures at the water/LNAPL interface and the LNAPL/air interface influence the LNAPL thickness in a monitoring well. The transient groundwater table effects on the LNAPL thickness in the well are a dominant factor for non-cohesive soils. The study leads to the conclusion that, under fluctuating groundwater table conditions, if LNAPL volume estimates in an aquifer are based on monitoring well measurements made at one point in time, or if these estimates are based on a sequence of measurements made over a period of time, which are then evaluated independently for each temporal measurement, assuming mutually independent static equilibrium conditions between the LNAPL thickness in the monitoring well and the formation, then the volume estimate calculations will be in significant error. In this paper, the relation between LNAPL thickness in a monitoring well and LNAPL thickness in a formation is discussed primarily based on numerical studies.

Semi-analytical solution of two-dimensional sharp interface LNAPL transport models

In this paper, we present semi-analytical solutions for two-dimensional equations governing transport of Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPL) in unconfined aquifers. The proposed model is based on sharp interface displacement and steady groundwater flow assumptions, where both the water–LNAPL interface and the LNAPL–air interface are represented as sharp interfaces. In the case of steady groundwater flow, these equations can be reduced to a two-dimensional nonlinear solute transport equation, with the LNAPL thickness in the free product lens being the primary unknown variable. The linearized form of this solute transport equation falls into the category of two-dimensional transport equation with time-dependent dispersion coefficients. This equation can be solved analytically for an infinite domain region. In this paper, the general form of the analytical solution for the transport equation, as well as the solutions for some specific cases are presented. To demonstrate the utility of the proposed solution, numerical results obtained for two example problems are discussed and presented comparatively with a finite-element solution and other more restrictive solutions available in the literature. Although the solutions discussed in this paper have some simplifying assumptions, such as sharp-interfaces between fluid phases, steady groundwater flow and homogeneous aquifer properties, the semi-analytical solutions presented in this study may be used effectively as bench mark solutions in evaluating LNAPL migration in the subsurface. These solutions are simple and cost effective to implement and may be used in the calibration of other more complex numerical solutions that can be found in the literature.

Estimation of Free Hydrocarbon Volume from Fluid Levels in Monitoring Wells

ABSTRACTUnder the assumption of local vertical equilibrium, fluid pressure distributions specified from well fluid levels in monitoring wells may be used to predict water and hydrocarbon saturation profiles given expressions for air‐water‐hydrocarbon saturation‐pressure relations. Vertical integration of the oil‐saturation profile yields the actual oil volume in porous media per unit area adjacent to the well. Three‐phase fluid distributions are predicted using a scaling procedure which requires knowledge of two‐phase air‐water saturation‐pressure relations, hydrocarbon density, and hydrocarbon surface tension. Air‐water saturation‐pressure relations are parameterized by either the Brooks‐Corey or van Genuchten expressions. Parameters in the models are estimated from grain‐size distribution data for two hypothetical soils.Results reveal that whereas the distance above an oil‐water table at which oil saturations become zero may be independent of soil type, estimated light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) volumes per unit area may differ substantially. Hence, estimates of LNAPL volume cannot be inferred directly from soil LNAPL thickness or well LNAPL thickness data without consideration of effects of soil properties. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that no simple linear conversion scheme can be employed to relate the height of LNAPL in a monitoring well to the LNAPL volume in porous media. Effects of grain‐size distribution and well LNAPL thickness on the ratio of actual LNAPL thickness in the aquifer to well LNAPL thickness are shown.