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ys <br /> A S S O C I A T E S I N C <br /> 4_3 Vapor Extraction/Air Sparge Testing April 22, 1999 <br /> 4.3.1 Methods and Procedures <br /> On April 22, 1999, ATC performed a short-term air sparge test and a short-term vapor extraction <br /> test The purpose of these tests was to evaluate petroleum hydrocarbon removal rates from the <br /> saturated zone as a result of sparging, evaluate the propagation of air and helium injected below <br /> the groundwater surface, and collect injection flowrate and pressure data for the possible design <br /> of an air sparge system <br />' The first pilot test involved air sparging only, with no vapor extraction Well MW-1 was used as <br /> the air injection point Prior to the test, vapor samples were collected from well MW-1, the <br /> injection point, and from well VW4, the closest observation well An air compressor capable of <br /> producing flows up to 10 cfm was used to pressurize the well casing to 10 pounds per square inch <br /> (psi) ATC attempted to initialize airflow but the airflow reading was zero The pressure in the <br /> well was incrementally increased to 100 psi, the maximum pressure the compressor could <br /> produce Helium tanks were also used to increase the pressure in the well but the airflow reading <br /> remained zero Helium is used as a tracer in groundwater to aid in the determination of an <br /> effective radius of influence for air sparging Helium measurements were taken from adjacent <br /> well VW-4, seven feet away, but no helium was detected It was uncertain whether the lack of <br /> airflow was a result of compressor size or the subsurface stratigraphy The air sparge test was <br /> terminated During the subsequent vapor extraction test, a helium reading was taken from well <br /> VW-5s Helium was measured at 20% at a distance of 17 feet from the sparge well <br /> Following the air sparge test, vapor extraction test equipment (an IC engine) was set up on vapor <br />' well VW-4 A vapor extraction test was initiated but field personnel were unable to attain a <br /> vacuum on the well The equipment was subsequently reset using vapor well VW-I as the vapor <br /> extraction point while monitoring vacuum response in the surrounding wells The test was <br />' approximately 2 hours in length Flowrates, applied vacuums, influent and effluent VOC <br /> concentrations, and temperatures were also monitored during the test Vapors were extracted <br />' using an IC engine equipped with a 5-hp blower and a moisture knockout chamber Two influent <br /> vapor samples were collected during the test, one after 30 minutes of operation and one after 105 <br /> minutes of operation An effluent vapor sample was collected after 115 minutes of operation <br /> Samples were submitted under chain-of-custody to Sequoia Analytical (FLAP #1210) and <br /> analyzed for TPHg and BTEX <br />' 4.3.2 Results <br /> Results and field readings from the short-term vapor extraction and air sparge tests performed on <br /> April 22, 1999 are summarized in Tables 5 and 6 and contained in Appendix D <br /> During the air sparge test, field personnel were unable to obtain a measurable air flow rate into <br /> well MW-1 even though the well was pressurized to 100 psi A pressure of 10 psi should have <br /> been sufficient to evacuate the water from the well casing Helium was not detected in well VW- <br /> W 162574 Mpiiot-ft report doc 6 <br />