Developing a Robust Bioventing Model

Abstract

Bioventing is a widely recognized technique for the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. In this study, the objective was to identify an optimal mathematical model that balances accuracy and ease of implementation. A comprehensive review of various models developed for bioventing was conducted wherein the advantages and disadvantages of each model were evaluated and compared regarding the different numerical methods used to solve relevant bioventing equations. After investigating the various assumptions and methods from the literature, an improved foundational bioventing model was developed that characterizes gas flow in unsaturated zones where water and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) are present and immobile, accounting for interphase mass transfer and biodegradation, incorporating soil properties through a rate constant correlation. The proposed model was solved using the finite volume method in OpenFOAM, an independent dimensional open-source coding toolbox. The preliminary simulation results of a simple case indicate good agreement with the exact analytical solution of the same equations. This improved bioventing model has the potential to enhance predictions of the remediation process and support the development of efficient remediation strategies for petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.