Modeling Mass Removal during In Situ Air Sparging

Abstract

A model was developed to simulate mass removal during in situ air sparging. The model captures the physical characteristics of the air plume and employs conventional methods to simulate mass transfer. A parametric study was conducted using the model to assess how chemical properties, the operational method, and media affect mass removal during in situ air sparging. Mass removal is particularly sensitive to Henry's law constant, and the aqueous diffusion coefficient when Henry's law constant is high. Simulations of pulsed and continuous air injection show that pulsed injection can yield greater mass removal than continuous air injection for certain pulse cycles. Mass removal is generally greater at higher injection rates, but the increase in mass removal diminishes as the injection rate increases. Parametric analysis also showed that mass is removed faster when air channels are narrower or more tortuous (i.e., in coarser or more well-graded formations).