I&EC 23 |
| This paper will present the field application of zero valent iron nanoparticle technology for remediation of groundwater at an operating industrial facility. The nano scale zero valent iron particles were prepared in a catalyst stabilized vegetable oil emulsion, which was applied to the chlorinated solvent contaminant source area in the groundwater. This source area had been studied and evaluated for over 20 years and remediation was not technically practicable. The solvent source, which was the location of a former wastewater lagoon, continued to feed a groundwater contamination plume extending ¼ mile off-site. A groundwater solute transport model was used to predict the decrease in future concentrations of chlorinated solvents in the groundwater plume after the source area was treated. Dissolved phase concentrations in the plume would meet regulatory requirements at the point of compliance. Using this emerging technology, the nonaqueous phase source area in the groundwater was successfully treated and the chlorinated solvent degraded to benign byproducts within a year. Use of the nanoscale iron facilitated distribution of the zero valent iron particles into the silty clay soil pores using high pressure injection. The work was performed adjacent to active plant buildings and roadways with no loss of plant production. The paper will present the performance monitoring results in the groundwater following application including concentration trends of the source solvent and breakdown products. This nanoparticle technology offers significant promise for cleanup of many industrial sites impacted by chlorinated solvent nonaqueous phase liquids (NPLs) nationwide, which have been impracticable to remediate to date. |
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Environmental Applications of Nanoscale and Microscale Reactive Particles
1:30 PM-5:30 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 223, Oral
Division of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry |