4.

4 PNEUMATIC FRACTURING
Description: Pneumatic fracturing (PF) is an enhancement technology designed to increase the efficiency of other in situ technologies in difficult soil conditions. PF injects pressurized air beneath the surface to develop cracks in low permeability and over-consolidated sediments. These new passageways increase the effectiveness of many in situ processes and enhance extraction efficiencies by increasing contact between contaminants adsorbed onto soil particles and the extraction medium.

4-4 TYPICAL PNEUMATIC FRACTURING PROCESS

In the PF process, fracture wells are drilled in the contaminated vadose zone and left open (uncased) for most of their depth. A packer system is used to isolate small (0.6-meter or 2-foot) intervals so that short bursts (~20 seconds) of compressed air (less than 10,300 mmHg or 200 pounds per square inch) can be injected into the interval to fracture the formation. The process is repeated for each interval. The fracturing extends and enlarges existing fissures and introduces new fractures, primarily in the horizontal direction. When fracturing has been completed, the formation is then subjected to vapor extraction, either by applying a vacuum to all wells or by extracting from selected wells, while other wells are capped or used for passive air inlet or forced air injection. Applicability: PF is applicable to the complete range of contaminant groups with no particular target group. The technology is used primarily to fracture silts, clays, shale, and bedrock.

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Limitations:

Factors that may limit the applicability and effectiveness of the process include: The technology should not be used in areas of high seismic activity. Fractures will close in non-clayey soils. Investigation of possible underground utilities, structures, or trapped free product is required. The potential exists to open new pathways for the unwanted spread of contaminants (e.g., dense nonaqueous phase liquids).

Data Needs:

A detailed discussion of these data elements is provided in Subsection 2.2.1 (Data Requirements for Soil, Sediment, and Sludge). Soil characteristics that need to be determined include the depth and areal extent of contamination, the concentration of the contaminants, and soil type and properties (e.g., structure, organic content, texture, permeability, water-holding capacity, and moisture content).

Performance Data:

The technology is currently available from only one vendor. PF was tested with hot gas injection and extraction in EPA's SITE demonstration program in 1992. Results indicate that PF increased the effective vacuum radius of influence nearly threefold and increased the rate of mass removal up to 25 times over the rates measured using conventional extraction technologies. A Phase II demonstration is planned for 1994. The technology has been demonstrated in the field, including the one under EPA's SITE program. In addition, numerous bench-scale and theoretical studies have been published. During summer 1993, a pilot demonstration of pneumatic fracturing was sponsored by DOE at Tinker AFB to enhance remediation of the fine-grained silts, clays, and sedimentary rock that underlie the site. At one test area, where No. 2 fuel oil was being pumped from existing recovery wells, pneumatic fracturing increased the average monthly removal rate by 15 times. Tests conducted in the unsaturated zone also showed enhanced air permeability as a result of fracturing, ranging from 5 to 30 times greater than prefracture values. Normal operation employs a two-person crew, making 15 to 25 fractures per day with a fracture radius of 4 to 6 meters (15 to 20 feet) to a depth of 15 to 30 meters (50 to 100 feet). For longer remediation programs, refracturing efforts may be required at 6- to 12-month intervals.

Cost:

The approximate cost range for pneumatic fracturing is $9 to $13 per metric ton ($8 to $12 per ton).

References:

EPA, 1993. Accutech Pneumatic Fracturing Extraction and Hot Gas Injection, Phase I, EPA RREL; series includes Technology Evaluation, EPA/540/R-93/509; Technology Demonstration Summary, EPA/540/

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SR-93/509; Demonstration Bulletin, EPA/540/MR-93/509; and Applications Analysis, EPA/540/AR-93/509. EPA, 1993. "Pneumatic Fracturing Increases VOC Extractor Rate," Tech Trends, EPA Report EPA/542/N-93/010.

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Site Information:
Site Name Hillsborough, NJ Contact John Liskowitz Accutech Remedial Systems, Inc. (908) 739-6444 Fax: (908) 739-0451 Summary PF and hot gas injection increased SVE flow rate by more than 600%. Beginning Levels Levels Attained Costs $308/kg ($140/lb) TCE removed

NA

NA

Marcus Hook, PA John Schuring or Peter Lederman Hazardous Substance Management Research Center at New Jersey Institute of Technology 138 Warren Street Newark, NJ 07102 (201) 596-5849/2457 Note: NA = Not Available.

Pilot-scale testing of PF and bioremediation. Completion due in July 1994. NA NA NA

Points of Contact:
Contact Uwe Frank Government Agency EPA Phone (908) 321-6626 Location EPA, Building 10, MS-104 2890 Woodbridge Avenue Edison, NJ 08837 DOE Environmental Restoration/Waste Management, EM-50 1000 Independence Ave. Washington, DC 20585 Environmental Management Directorate OC-ALC/EM Tinker AFB, OK 73145 SFIM-AEC-ETD APG, MD 21010-5401

Clyde Frank

DOE

(202) 586-6382

Dan Hunt

USAF

(405) 734-3058

Technology Demonstration and Transfer Branch

USAEC

(410) 671-2054 Fax: (410) 612-6836

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