Date of Award

3-2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Mark N. Goltz, PhD

Abstract

This study utilized a three-dimensional numerical model to evaluate the potential application of HFTWs to manage MTBE-contaminated groundwater. HFTWs consist of two dual-screened treatment wells. One well operates in an upflow mode, with MTBE-contaminated water extracted from an aquifer through a screen in the deep portion of an aquifer and injected into the aquifer through a shallow well screen, while the adjacent well operates in a downflow mode, extracting water from the shallow zone of the aquifer and injecting it into the deep zone. As the MTBE-contaminated water flows through the wells, an electron acceptor and/or another electron donor is introduced in order to promote oxidation of MTBE by indigenous microorganisms that grow in bioactive zones adjacent to the injection screens of the treatment wells. The model used in this study couples a model that simulates the complex three-dimensional flow field that results from HFTW operation with a transport model to simulate MTBE fate due to advective/dispersive transport and biodegradation. The biodegradation model allows simulation of either direct or cometabolic oxidation of MTBE by indigenous microorganisms. The model was applied to a hypothetical MTBE-contaminated site to demonstrate how this technology might effect in situ MTBE treatment. A sensitivity analysis was conducted using the model to determine the engineering and environmental parameters that impact technology performance. This study demonstrates that the HFTW technology has potential for application in managing MTBE-contaminated groundwater.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEM-ENV-04M-15

DTIC Accession Number

ADA425169

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