Quantitative Analysis for the Cleanup of Hydrocarbon‐Contaminated Soils by In‐Situ Soil Venting

The efficiency of any soil venting operation will depend significantly on three factors: vapor flowrate, vapor flow path relative to the contaminant distribution, and composition of the contaminant. Simple mathematical models were developed to be used as screening tools to help determine if soil venting will be a viable remediation option at any given spill site. The models relate the applied vacuum, soil permeability, and spill composition to the vapor flowrates, velocities, mass removal rates, and residual composition changes with time. In this report the screening models and some sample calculations are presented. The results illustrate the advantages and limitations of venting as a remediation tool, under both ideal and nonideal conditions.