Project

To determine the viability of soil vapour extraction as a solution to remove TCE impacted groundwater from beneath a factory shop floor. Gravel lens beneath factory shop floor heavily impacted with TCE.

Contaminant

Chlorinated solvents

Challanges

Restricted access to contaminants and careful handling of related health and safety issues.

The contaminant was located beneath a working factory floor that necessitated careful planning and installation over the weekend to ensure minimal disruption to manufacturing operations. Stringent Health and Safety measures were also required to ensure the on-going SVE trial beneath a working factory floor was carried out safely.

Churngold Solution

Soil vapour extraction system installed in gravel unsaturated zone within two trenches beneath shop floor. Close liaison with site engineers ensuredexisting service corridors used for power, control systems and extraction pipes were not affected. Extracted VOCs treated externally with Granular Activated Carbon. Extensive monitoring undertaken for design of full scale system. Trial was completed by provision of a detailed report assessing suitability of SVE system for treating the plume. During the project some ammunition casings were located. The Police and Bomb Squad were alerted and all materials removed within 6 hours of the discovery allowing works to proceed unhindered.

Technologies employed

• SVE
• VOC off gas treatment