Modeling and simulation for VOCs extraction by an SVE system

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are highly toxic substances and it has been demonstrated that they can be found in the atmosphere and soil, producing adverse health effects in human beings. Throughout many years, some soil remediation technologies have been developed. Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is the one being used nowadays for VOCs removal of the unsaturated or vadose zone from soil. This technique is low cost and efficient, although if a good system design is not done, the success of the technique is jeopardized. Models and simulations have been developed as tools that will help provide enough information to a better understanding of the process. Moreover it will enable the possibility of evaluation of contaminant degradation and feasibility of the technique in a hypothetical site under certain characteristics. This paper intends to develop a simulation exercise of the SVE process using a mathematical model, evaluate the feasibility of such model and the extraction of vapors from soil matrix. This was accomplished under certain restrictions and considerations in an approximately 30 days of an SVE operating system.