Ryan C. Wood

Date of Award

3-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Mark N. Goltz, PhD

Abstract

This study investigates how application of Hydrogen Release Compound (HRC) might be implemented to remediate a site contaminated with tetrachloroethene (PCE) or its daughter products, under varying site conditions. The 3-D reactive transport model RT3D was coupled with a dual-Monod biodegradation submodel to simulate the effect of the hydrogen generated by HRC on accelerating the biodegradation of dissolved chlorinated solvents. Varying site conditions and injection well configurations were investigated to determine the effect of these environmental and design conditions on overall treatment efficiency. The model was applied to data obtained at a chlorinated solvent contaminated site at Vandenberg AFB, where a pilot study of HRC injection was conducted. Historical data were initially used to calibrate the model, under the assumption that natural reductive dehalogenation processes are occurring at the site. The model was then applied to predict how HRC injection enhances natural attenuation processes. Model predictions were compared to the results of the pilot study. The model-simulated concentrations were relatively consistent with concentrations measured at the site, indicating the model may be a useful design tool, as well as an aid to help us better understand how HRC injection may enhance natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEM-ENV-05M-14

DTIC Accession Number

ADA434317

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