Services › Soil Vapor Extraction

Definition

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is a relatively simple process that physically removes contaminants from soil. SVE extracts chemicals that readily evaporate or volatilize, such as gasoline and diesel range petroleum hydrocarbons, fuel oxygenates including methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), in vapor phase from contaminated soil. Removal of contaminants is accomplished by applying a vacuum to subsurface soil through a seriesof SVE wells, which pulls contaminants to the surface as a vapor or gas. The vapor or gas is then directed to a central area to be treated by a variety of methods, including adsorption via activated carbon, incineration using an internal combustion engine, or by oxidation using a catalytic oxidiz. Typically, a combination of these methods is applied during the course of cleanup. Often, in addition to vacuum extraction wells, air sparging injection wells are installed to increase the airflow and improve contaminant removal rates. This enhanced airflow can also stimulate bio-remediation of some contaminants.

Practical Applications

SVE is most useful in remediating the part of a plume that lies in the unsaturated zone, above the water table. However, its effectiveness can be widened to the saturated zone by combination with groundwater extraction, air sparging, or ozone sparging, which involves the injection of ozone gas with air into contaminated groundwater.

RRM Experience

RRM has successfully designed, permitted and constructed many SVE small and large-scale systems at sites throughout California. Our staff of experienced design engineers and skilled field technicians provides exceptional operation and maintenance services to keep the systems operational and running efficiently.

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