The goals of this research are to develop an understanding of the transport phenomena that occur during the desorption of contaminants from soil and to obtain rate information. This information can then be used to develop a model to predict the performance of full‐scale thermal treatment systems for optimization and cost reduction.
A pilot-scale treatability study was performed to evaluate the capability to effectively co-treat pumped groundwaters from industrial sites with municipal wastewaters at publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) employing activated sludge treatment. Chemicals given focused attention included selected phenolic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), and volatile aromatic compounds. The study involved the si multaneous operation of three pilot-scale activated sludge reactors. One reactor was fed 100% municipal wastewater (control), a second was fed a 5% by flow volume site groundwater with a relatively low organic concentration, and a third was fed a 20% by flow volume site groundwater with a higher organic concentration. Monitoring was carried out to ad dress, through reactor mass balance computations, chemical fate in terms of activated sludge adsorption, biodegradation, volatilization, and effluent discharge quality. The results of this study support the co-treatment of contaminated groundwaters in POTWs employing activated sludge sys tems. The results show nonmeasurable effects in terms of activated sludge treatment performance, and nonsignificant effects in terms of treated effluent discharge and waste activated sludge quality. This work can be used to aid engineers and POTW authorities in evaluating the capability of activated sludge treatment systems to effectively handle and treat groundwaters containing phenolic, PAH, and volatile aromatic com pounds. Water Environ. Res., 65, 804 (1993).
Summary
BaSO4 scale containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) as well as calcium carbonate scale has been reported in gas production facilities in conjunction with the Antrim play in northern Michigan. The scale study was undertaken by the Water Research Institute, Inc. (WRI) under contract from the Gas Research Institute. It was proposed in the scale study to conduct a two phase systematic characterization of BaSO4 scale from the Michigan Basin area both as to occurrence and environmental hazard, and to evaluate scale control methods using brines typical of the area. The initial study involved sample collection and analytical work-up to arrive at a correct theoretical analysis of the problems involved. The variability of the sulfate concentrations in the wells is addressed and scale prediction techniques applied to the reservoirs and the surface equipment to determine where scale was forming and where it is likely to form. The scale is proposed to be forming due to the commingling of produced waters from wells with high sulfate concentrations with waters from other wells relatively high barium concentrations. Inhibitor evaluations were done using a high temperature-pressure laboratory apparatus developed at Rice University and WRI (patent application pending with GRI) and effective chemicals and probable dose rates for inhibition were determined. Concurrently, studies were begun by Bioindustrial Technology, Inc. and United Exploration and Development Consultants to learn the sources of the high sulfate concentrations reported in some wells in the area and to determine the causes of souring in some others.
In addition to the scale forming in the surface facilities, NORM scale was predicted and found in production tubing from individual wells. The driving forces for scale precipitation in these wells is the temperature and pressure changes resulting from production Chemical squeeze of inhibitor into the reservoirs and surface injection are recommended to treat and eliminate the scale problem.
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