Bentonite, well seals

If bentonite pellets or chips are to be used instead of grout, the bentonite pellets can be placed in shallow wells (within 15.0 m of ground surface) by pouring them through the annular space from above in much the same manner as the filter pack is placed. If this installation procedure is chosen, sufficient potable water must be added in conjunction with the bentonite to hydrate the individual pieces. Hydration causes the pieces to swell and form a highly impermeable seal. 

Figure 14.1 presents the main components of a typical in situ SVE system.910 Vertical extraction wells are installed inside the contaminated zone at appropriate distances from one another. The SVE wells are typically constructed of PVC pipe, with a screened interval, which is placed within the contaminated zone. The wells are connected to blowers or vacuum pumps, which induce a continuous airflow through the pores of the unsaturated zone. The soil surface is sometimes covered with an impermeable seal, made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) or bentonite clay for example, to prevent the vertical influx of air from the surface, which might cause short-circuiting problems, and promote horizontal gas flow through the contaminated area. The airstream, which contains the contaminant vapors, passes initially through an air-water separation unit to remove the entrained moisture and is then directed to the gas treatment unit, where the contaminants are thermally destroyed or removed by adsorption. 

Remediation commenced with the interception of the recoverable gasoline. One 4-in.-diameter vapor extraction well and three 2-in. vapor monitor wells were installed. Each well was constructed with 4 ft of well screen placed and filter packed across the unsaturated portion of the shale. The annulus of the wells was sealed to the surface with bentonite and cement grout according to local standards. The monitor wells were located in a triangular pattern around the vapor extraction well at distances of 5.3, 10.6, and 25.4 ft. 

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