Air Sparging (Sparge VAC)

Definition

• Involves the injection of air or another gas, under pressure, into the saturated zone.
• Creates subsurface bubbles or air pathways horizontally and vertically from the injection point.
• Causes contacting and mixing between the injected gas and the subsurface soil and groundwater that partitions contaminants into the vapor phase.
• Is typically combined with a vacuum extraction system for the capture of the contamination containing vapors.

Application

• Typical soil permeability range of 0.1 to >10,000 millidarcies (equivalent to 10E-6 to 10E-1 cm/s hydraulic conductivity).
• A condition of volatile or semi-volatile contaminants below the static water table.

Unique Characteristics

• No above-ground treatment or discharge of water.
• Does not require the extraction and treatment of groundwater in aquifers that are large producers of water, which saves significant costs.
• Adds oxygen to the saturated zone, which can significantly stimulate biological activity.
• Effective in vapor partitioning of semi-volatiles.
• Low maintenance and low cost groundwater remediation option.

Case Studies

• Corporate Headquarters Building, Irvine, CA
• Thomas Solvents Superfund Site, Battle Creek, MI

Technical Papers

• Integrated Remediation Technology Provides Rapid Site Remediation
• Advances in the Vacuum Extraction Technology for Effective Subsurface Remediation
• Integrated Vacuum Extraction/Groundwater Sparging For Rapid, Cost-Effective Remediation