First Use in the UK of Full-Scale In Situ Surfactant-Enhanced Recovery within an Aquifer Impacted by Trichlorobenzene

摘要

A programme of traditional and innovative site characterisation works was carried out at a site in north-east England, to delineate the extent and magnitude of trichlorobenzene (TCB) and its degradation products dichlorobenzene (DCB) and chlorobenzene (CB), originating from the site’s historical use as a dye works. Potential dense nonaqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) source zones were identified within the underlying heterogeneous clay, silt, sand and gravel aquifer. The aquifer is in hydraulic continuity with an adjacent water course. Following the completion of laboratory scale tests confirming potential applicability, a full scale surfactant enhanced recovery system was installed and commissioned, to address DNAPL and high dissolved phase impacted groundwater. The system is believed to be the first full scale surfactant enhanced recovery project undertaken within an aquifer in the United Kingdom (UK).