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2001•Bioremediation JournalRequires access

Helium Tracer Tests for Assessing Contaminant Vapor Recovery and Air Distribution During In Situ Air Sparging

Richard L. Johnson, Paul C. Johnson, Tim L. Johnson, Andrea Leeson

Open publisher page 10 citations

Abstract

Helium tracer tests are used as an alternative to soil-gas pressure measurements to assess the effectiveness of soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems for capturing contaminant vapors liberated by in situ air sparging (IAS). The tracer approach is simple to conduct and provides more direct and reliable measures than the soil-gas pressure approach. The tracer test described here can be used to both determine SVE system capture efficiency and to evaluate air distribution during IAS pilot tests. The tests can also be conducted on operating, full-scale systems to confirm system performance. In addition, the tests can be easily repeated, which allows system parameters to be modified and the impact of those modifications to be quickly assessed. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools, helium tracer tests provide an important measure of IAS system performance.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Helium tracer tests are used as an alternative to soil-gas pressure measurements to assess the effectiveness of soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems for capturing contaminant vapors liberated by in situ air sparging (IAS). The tracer approach is simple to conduct and provides more direct and reliable measures than the soil-gas pressure approach. The tracer test described here can be used to both determine SVE system capture efficiency and to evaluate air distribution during IAS pilot tests. The tests can also be conducted on operating, full-scale systems to confirm system performance. In addition, the tests can be easily repeated, which allows system parameters to be modified and the impact of those modifications to be quickly assessed. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools, helium tracer tests provide an important measure of IAS system performance.

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Available abstract

Helium tracer tests are used as an alternative to soil-gas pressure measurements to assess the effectiveness of soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems for capturing contaminant vapors liberated by in situ air sparging (IAS). The tracer approach is simple to conduct and provides more direct and reliable measures than the soil-gas pressure approach. The tracer test described here can be used to both determine SVE system capture efficiency and to evaluate air distribution during IAS pilot tests. The tests can also be conducted on operating, full-scale systems to confirm system performance. In addition, the tests can be easily repeated, which allows system parameters to be modified and the impact of those modifications to be quickly assessed. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools, helium tracer tests provide an important measure of IAS system performance.

Key concepts: Sparging, TRACER, Soil vapor extraction, Air sparging, Environmental science, Secondary air injection, Helium, Petroleum engineering

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