4
The Effect of Fractures on the Reclamation of
NAPL Contaminated Aquifers
H. Rubin l , K. Rathfelder, L. M. Abriola 2 , M. Spiller 3 , G. Demny, and J.
Kongeter 3
1 Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa
32000, Israel. e-mail: hrubin@tx.technion.ac.il Tel: +972-4-829-2306 Fax: +9724-822-8898
2 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125, USA e-mail: kmr@engin.umich.edu, Tel: +1-734763-0315, Fax: + 1-734-763-2275
3 Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management,
Aachen University of Technology, Mies-van-der-Rohe- Str. 1, 52056 Aachen,
Germany e-mail:martinCa),iwwnt.iwwl.rwth-aachen.de Tel: +49-241-805266 Fax:
+49-241-8888-348
Abstract
This study concerns the dissolution of nonaqueous phase liquid entrapped in
fractured permeable formation. The study assesses controlling factors for pumpand-treat reclamation. The mathematical formulation is based upon a simplified
conceptual model of a fractured permeable formation, in which the NAPL is
assumed to be entrapped as ganglia (blobs) in the permeable blocks. Parametric
analysis indicates that two dimensionless parameters govern the rate of dissolution
of the NAPL and the transport of the dissolved solute: (1) the interphase mass
transfer coefficient, and (2) the mobility number. Restoration of a hypothetical
NAPL-contaminated fractured permeable formation is simulated. Results show
that the presence of fractures significantly changes the characteristics of the
aquifer reclamation process. At high values of the dimensionless interphase mass
transfer coefficient, NAPL dissolution significantly deviates from the behavior of
a continuum. Effects of variability of the aquifer flow rate and surfactant additives
on characteristics of the aquifer cleanup are studied. Options for the enhancement
of aquifer reclamation by increasing the aquifer flow rates and surfactant additives
are quantitatively evaluated.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002
The Effect of Fractures on the Reclamation of
NAPL Contaminated Aquifers
H. Rubin l , K. Rathfelder, L. M. Abriola 2 , M. Spiller 3 , G. Demny, and J.
Kongeter 3
1 Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa
32000, Israel. e-mail: hrubin@tx.technion.ac.il Tel: +972-4-829-2306 Fax: +9724-822-8898
2 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125, USA e-mail: kmr@engin.umich.edu, Tel: +1-734763-0315, Fax: + 1-734-763-2275
3 Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management,
Aachen University of Technology, Mies-van-der-Rohe- Str. 1, 52056 Aachen,
Germany e-mail:martinCa),iwwnt.iwwl.rwth-aachen.de Tel: +49-241-805266 Fax:
+49-241-8888-348
Abstract
This study concerns the dissolution of nonaqueous phase liquid entrapped in
fractured permeable formation. The study assesses controlling factors for pumpand-treat reclamation. The mathematical formulation is based upon a simplified
conceptual model of a fractured permeable formation, in which the NAPL is
assumed to be entrapped as ganglia (blobs) in the permeable blocks. Parametric
analysis indicates that two dimensionless parameters govern the rate of dissolution
of the NAPL and the transport of the dissolved solute: (1) the interphase mass
transfer coefficient, and (2) the mobility number. Restoration of a hypothetical
NAPL-contaminated fractured permeable formation is simulated. Results show
that the presence of fractures significantly changes the characteristics of the
aquifer reclamation process. At high values of the dimensionless interphase mass
transfer coefficient, NAPL dissolution significantly deviates from the behavior of
a continuum. Effects of variability of the aquifer flow rate and surfactant additives
on characteristics of the aquifer cleanup are studied. Options for the enhancement
of aquifer reclamation by increasing the aquifer flow rates and surfactant additives
are quantitatively evaluated.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002