Removal of Dissolved- and Free-Phase Benzene Pools from Ground Water Using In Situ Air Sparging

Abstract
This paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation performed to study the use of air sparging to remediate dissolved-phase and free-phase [or non-aqueous-phase liquid (NAPL)-phase] benzene pools from ground water. The specific objectives of the study were (1) to assess how air injection rate affects the mass transfer and transport of dissolved- and NAPL-phase pools; and (2) to determine the effect of ground-water flow on the removal of dissolved- and NAPL-phase pools during the application of air sparging. A total of five 2D physical model tests were performed in a homogeneous coarse sand profile subjected to both static ground water and ground-water flow conditions. Three different air injection rates were used in a static ground-water condition, and two different air flow rates were used in soil profiles subjected to ground-water flow (hydraulic gradient = 0.011). All tests were performed with similar initial dissolved- and NAPL-phase benzene conditions. Injected air traveled within a parabol...