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A Numerical Study of Barometric Pumping. Jeff Sondrup AgE 588 Fluid Mechanics of Porous Materials April 11, 2001. Presentation Outline. Introduction Gas Transport & Barometric Pumping Model Description Model Results Conclusions. Subsurface Disposal Area, INEEL.
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A Numerical Study of Barometric Pumping Jeff Sondrup AgE 588 Fluid Mechanics of Porous Materials April 11, 2001
Presentation Outline • Introduction • Gas Transport & Barometric Pumping • Model Description • Model Results • Conclusions
VOC Background at the SDA • VOCs first discovered in GW near SDA in 1987 • Soil gas survey confirmed SDA pits and trenches were a VOC source • Inventory search indicated sludges containing VOCs from Rocky Flats buried in SDA (1966-70) • Primarily carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) with TCE, PCE, and TCA • Vadose zone vapor sampling indicates a large plume • GW concentrations ND to slightly above MCL • Modeling estimates GW concentrations to peak decades in the future at several times MCL • ROD signed in 1994, Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) preferred alternative • Five extraction wells began operating 1996, removed ~75,000 lbs TVOCs, ~48,000 lbs CCl4
Gas Transport Mechanismsin the Vadose Zone • Advection (contaminants travel with the bulk movement of air) • Natural: water displacement, barometric pressure changes, density • Induced: drilling, soil vapor extraction (SVE) • Diffusion (random motion of molecules) • Sorption (contaminants adhere to the rock/soil) • Vapor-Liquid Partitioning (contaminants move into and out of air-water)
CCl4 Mass Accounting(Barometric Pumping, Square Wave, Dt=1 day)
Conclusions • Time step important when simulating BP • Square wave approximation is reasonable if pressure patterns predictable and repeatable • BP impact small but can be important • Impact is site and event specific (depends on contaminant, location, pressure patterns, subsurface) • Diffusion is the dominant mechanism • BP important for passive soil venting (gas extraction)