Journal article
Smoldering Combustion (STAR) for the Treatment of Contaminated Soils: Examining Limitations and Defining Success
Remediation (New York, N.Y.), v 26(3), pp 27-51
01 Jun 2016
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Smoldering combustion, commercially available as the Self-sustaining Treatment for Active Remediation (STAR) technology, is an innovative technique that has shown promise for the remediation of contaminant source zones. Smoldering combustion is an exothermic reaction (net energy producing) converting carbon compounds and an oxidant (e.g., oxygen in air) to carbon dioxide, water, and energy. Thus, following ignition, the smoldering combustion reaction can continue in a self-sustaining manner (i.e., no external energy or added fuel input following ignition) as the heat generated by the reacting contaminants is used to preheat and initiate combustion of contaminants in adjacent areas, propagating a combustion front through the contaminated zone provided a sufficient flux of air is supplied. The STAR technology has applicability across a wide-range of hydrocarbons in a variety of hydrogeologic settings; however, there are limitations to its use. Impacted soils must be permeable enough to allow a sufficient flux of air to the combustion front and there exists a minimum required concentration of contaminants such that the soils contain sufficient fuel for the reaction to proceed in a self-sustaining manner. Further limitations, as well as lessons learned and methods to mitigate these limitations, are presented through a series of case studies. In summary, the successful implementation of STAR will result in >99 percent reduction in contaminant concentrations in treated areas, limited residual contaminant mass, reduced ground-water contaminant mass flux which can be addressed through monitored natural attenuation; and an enhanced site exit strategy, reduced lifecycle costs, and reduced risk. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Smoldering Combustion (STAR) for the Treatment of Contaminated Soils: Examining Limitations and Defining Success
- Creators
- Gavin P. Grant - University of EdinburghDavid Major - University of WaterlooGrant C. Scholes - STAR and STARx technologiesJohn Horst - Drexel UniversitySusan Hill - Geosyntec ConsultantsMark R. Klemmer - Michigan State UniversityJames Neil Couch - University of Wisconsin–ParksideSarah S Hill - Interior Design
- Publication Details
- Remediation (New York, N.Y.), v 26(3), pp 27-51
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 25
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Interior Design
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000379497300003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84971571984
- Other Identifier
- 991019173835704721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Industry collaboration
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Environmental