Overview
EPA confirmed nearly 3,000 new releases from underground storage tanks (USTs) during fiscal year 2010, bringing the cumulative total to 491,572 releases since 1984. Although progress has been made in cleaning these sites, over 96,000 of them still require remedial action. (Source: Semiannual Report of UST Performance Measures, Mid Fiscal Year 2010, 3/31/2010.). These UST leaks pose a grave threat to human health and the environment by contaminating groundwater and soil.
An alternative to traditional pump-and-treat and soil excavation is In-situ thermal remediation (ISTR), which transfers heat to the underground contamination zone. As heat is transmitted into the contaminated medium, various processes occur to enhance the removal of contaminants. The vapor pressure of organic materials increases; viscosity of separate-phase liquids decreases; diffusion rates and solubility often increase; and rates of abiotic degradation (e.g., oxidation) may increase. Even biological degradation has been observed to increase at higher temperatures, up to a point. The removal of contaminants using heat cans, therefore, can be more complete than is possible with other techniques. Unfortunately, the conduction of heat in earth materials is relatively slow as these materials are generally good insulators. Efficient In-situ thermal treatment depends on the economical and effective delivery of heat into the subsurface.
This course is intended for environmental engineers and others who wish to expand their knowledge of alternative methods of site remediation. Course material is based on publication EM 1110-1-4015 from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
To earn PDH credit, the student must pass a multiple choice quiz consisting of fifty (50) questions.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Three types of ISTR technology: thermal conductive heating, electrical resistivity heating, and steam enhanced extraction
- Underlying physical principles of operation
- Site characterization
- Technology screening and feasibility studies
- Bench- and pilot-scale studies for each ISTR technology
- Design considerations for each ISTR technology
- Monitoring, operations, and maintenance
- System shutdown and confirmation of cleanup
- Regulatory and patent issues
Course
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