5>
SB,
542R05007A
Sensor Technologies Used During
Site Remediation Activities -
Selected Experiences
/i
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Solid Waste EPA 542-R-05-007A
and Emergency Response September 2005
(5102G) www.clu-in.org
Sensor Technologies Used During Site Remediation Activities -
Selected Experiences
Internet Address (URL) • www.epa.gov/
Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper (minimum 50% Postconsumer)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ii
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER iv
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 What are Sensors? 1
1.2 Purpose of Report 1
1.3 Methodology 2
2.0 OVERVIEW OF SENSORY SYSTEMS 3
2.1 Characterization or Monitoring 3
2.2 "Automation 4
3.0 EXAMPLES OF REMEDIATION SITES THAT HAVE USED SENSOR
TECHNOLOGIES 5
3.1 Site Characterization 5
3.2 Monitoring 5
3.3 Automation 5
4.0 REFERENCES 9
Appendices
1 Sensor Technology Case Study - Use of Membrane Interface Probe Technology for
Detection of VOCs at the Sol Lynn/Industrial Transformer Superfund Site
2 Sensor Technology Case Study - 2D-Recon and EOL Geophysical Survey Techniques
for Characterizing Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils at the Hotel Pier Site
3 Sensor Technology Case Study - Use of Capacitance Probes to Measure Soil Moisture at
the Badger Army Ammunitions Plant
4 Sensor Technology Case Study - Use of In-Situ Sensors to Monitor Ground Water
Velocity at the China Lake Naval Air Weapons System Site
5 Automation Technology Case Study — Programmable Logic Controllers and Ozone
Analyzers at the Moffett Federal Airfield Site
6 Sensor Technology Case Study - Automated Sampling and Analysis of Trichloroethene
and Hexavalent Chromium Using the Burge System at the North Indian Bend Wash and
Nevada Test Sites
7 Automation Technology Case Study - Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Using
Programmable Logic Controllers at the Sprague Road Superfund Site
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1 Selected Case Studies on Sensor Technologies 6
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
1,2-DCE 1,2-dichloroethene
2D-Recon Two-dimensional gradiometer
ASTM American Society of Testing and Materials
BAAP Badger Army Ammunition Plant
Bgs Below ground surface
BRL Basic relay logic
BTEX Benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and total xylenes
COC Contaminant of concern
CPU Central Processing Unit
CPU Central Processing Unit
Cr-VI Hexavalent chromium
DA Data acquisition
DBG Deterrent Burning Ground
DELCD Dry electrolytic conductivity detectors
EC Electrical conductivity
BCD Electron capture detector
EOL Electromagnetic offset log
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FID Flame ionization detector
ft/day Feet per day
GC Gas chromatograph
HMI Human machine interface
HOA Hand-off-auto
Hz Hertz
IrriMAX Vendor-supplied standard calibration model
LED Light emitting diode
LPZ Low permeability zones
MFA Moffett Federal Airfield
MIP Membrane interface probe
mL/min Milliliters per minute
mV Millvolts
NELP Navy Environmental Leadership Program
NIBW North Indian Bend Wash
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NTS Nevada Test Site
°C Degrees Centigrade
Ogden Ogden Environmental and Energy Services Co., Inc.
OSHA Occupational safety and health administration
PC Anywhere (communications software)
PC Personal computer
PID Photoionization detector
PLC Programmable logic controller
PLC Programmable logic controllers
ppb Parts per billion
R&D Research and development
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RI
SCADA
SDI
Sol Lynn
Sprague Road
SRI
TCE
THM
USDA
UST
UV
vc
VECTOR
VOC
WBZ
WBZ
Remedial investigation
Supervisory control and data acquisition
Serial data interface
Sol Lynn/Industrial Transformer Superfund
Sprague Road Ground Water Plume Superfund
Supplemental remedial investigation
Trichloroethene
Trihalomethanes
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Underground storage tank
Ultraviolet light
Vinyl chloride
Variably Emitting Controlled Thermal Output Recorder
Volatile organic compounds.
Water bearing zones
Water bearing zones
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NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
Preparation of this report has been funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Technology Innovation and Field Services Division under EPA Contract Number 68-W-02-034.
This document represents the views of the authors. However, this document has undergone EPA
and external review by experts in the field.
A limited number of printed copies of the report are available free of charge and may be ordered
via the Web site, by mail, or by fax from the following source:
EPA/National Service Center for Environmental Publications
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419
Telephone: (513) 489-8190 or (800) 490-9198
Fax: (513)489-8695
This document is not U.S. EPA policy, guidance or regulation. It does not create or impose any
legally binding requirements. The information is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to
create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States or any other party.
The information provided may be revised periodically without public notice. Use or mention of
trade names does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Standards of Ethical
Conduct do not permit EPA to endorse any private sector product or service.
For further information about this report, please contact the EPA's Office of Superfund
Remediation and Technology Innovation:
Ellen Rubin
(703) 603-0141
rubin. ellen@epa.gov
IV
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 WHAT ARE SENSORS?
A sensor is a device that produces a discernable response to external stimulus. Some examples
of sensors are thermometers, photoelectric cells, pressure transducers, and smoke detectors.
Electronic sensors respond to stimulus by producing standardized electrical signals. This enables
them to interface with devices that display a readable output or larger systems providing sensory
input to a decision-making device. For example, sensors may be used inside a storage tank to
supply information on fluid levels to a system controller who would in turn use this information
to make decisions on starting or shutting down pumps that fill or drain the tank. Sensors can be
used in environmental remediation for the following activities:
• Characterization
• Monitoring
• Automation
When properly applied, sensors can provide long-term benefits for remediation projects by
reducing manpower requirements, reducing analytical costs, and generating information that
facilitates process optimization.
1.2 PURPOSE OF REPORT
Environmental remediation includes many activities that require measurement and monitoring of
parameters such as contaminant concentrations, media characteristics, and systemic parameters.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number and types of sensor technologies used
during site remediation. These include technologies that are used for performing real-time and
continuous measurements, remote monitoring, remote operation, and system automation.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepared this report to provide an overview of
several types of sensor technologies and a summary of selected experiences with using the
technologies during site remediation activities. The report highlights the applications,
implementation, strengths and limitations, and lessons learned from actual projects that have
used one or more sensor technologies as part of an overall site remediation strategy. Appendices
one through seven provide case studies for specific sites that have used sensor technologies
during site remediation activities.
This report does not provide guidance on the selection of a specific type or vendor of sensor
technology; these technologies are most cost-effective under specific environmental, chemical,
and physical conditions. Numerous site-specific considerations, such as site geology, soil, and
aquifer characteristics, chemical, physical, and biological parameters of affected media, and
chemicals of concern, among many others, can impact the overall cost-effectiveness of a system.
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1.3 METHODOLOGY
In preparing this report, EPA collected available information on sensor technologies for remedial
projects performed at Superfund sites, federal/military sites, and other sites. EPA attempted to
compile information that was readily available and current for each project as of Summer/Fall
2004, however, hi some cases, EPA was not able to confirm the available information. Some
case studies include information provided primarily by the technology vendor, with limited input
from a regulatory authority. In addition, for many of the projects, there were gaps in the types of
information available (e.g., for some sites, performance data were not available, or there was a
limited amount of data that independently evaluated sensor performance). This report is not a
comprehensive review of all available sensor technologies or vendors.
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2.0 OVERVIEW OF SENSORY SYSTEMS
Sensory systems used for automation, characterization, and monitoring can consist of a number
of different components, including mechanical sensors, electronics, analytical (chemical)
sensors, control systems, telemetry systems, and software. These components may be used alone
or together to form relatively simple or highly complex systems.
Mechanical sensors by definition contain moving parts. For instance, turbine flow meters
contain turbines that rotate as water flows through a pipe. Flow rate is measured by counting the
number of revolutions per minute. When coupled with electronic transmitters, flow meters can
form sensory systems mat are able to measure and communicate flow data to a control unit or
display. Other examples of mechanical sensors include floats (used in tank float switches) and
pressure gauges.
Electronic sensors are electrically powered and can measure a variety of parameters such as
pressure, specific gravity, the presence of liquid (water level meters and interface probes), pH,
temperature, and conductivity.
Analytical sensors are typically used to measure chemical parameters such as contaminant
concentrations. Some examples of analytical sensors include pH probes, and optical sensors
used for colorimetric measurement
Control systems that work in conjunction with sensors include programmable logic controllers
(PLC) and other electronic microprocessor devices. Control systems are able to receive sensory
inputs, process information, and trigger specific actions.
Telemetry systems facilitate system control or data acquisition from remote locations. They can
be radio or telephone based. Radio-based systems use radiofrequency communication devices to
send and receive information. Telephone-based systems use modems to send and receive
information through telephone lines.
2.1 CHARACTERIZATION OR MONITORING
Sensors used in characterization are typically used to measure environmental parameters. For
example, a membrane interface probe may be used to detect and locate subsurface
contamination; an electrochemical probe may be used to measure ground water parameters such
as pH; and a thermometer may be used to measure sample temperature. Sensors in monitoring
are typically used to measure both environmental and systemic parameters. For example, an
anemometer may be used to measure wind velocity at a site; a water-level sensor may be used to
measure long term fluctuations in ground water elevation; and a flow meter may be used to
monitor flow through a pipe.
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2.2 AUTOMATION
Automation systems use sensory devices to measure parameters necessary for proper system
operation. Some examples of these parameters are water levels in wells and tanks, temperature,
pressure drop, flow rate, and effluent concentration. These parameters are then used by
microprocessor devices such as PLCs to make operational decisions including starting up or
shutting down components of the remediation system.
Additional Sources of Information about Sensor Technologies
Field Analytic Technologies Encyclopedia (FATE) - an online encyclopedia intended to provide
information about technologies that can be used in the field to characterize contaminated media,
monitor the progress of remedial efforts, and in some cases, perform confirmation sampling and
analysis for site close out. FATE includes information on several types of fiber optic chemical
sensors, http://fate.clu-in.org/index.htm
Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century (21 M2) - through this initiative,
EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) will identify and deploy promising
measurement and monitoring technologies in response to waste management and site cleanup program
needs by matching existing and emerging technologies with OSWER program and client needs.
Current projects include open path monitoring and sampling for contaminated sediments, as well as a
summary of available literature on measurement and monitoring technologies.
http://www.cluin.org/programs/21m2/
Remediation and Characterization Technology Database (EPA REACHIT) - an online database
with powerful search options for information on treatment and characterization technologies, plus
updated information from remediation projects undertaken by EPA. The database includes the
following information for characterization technologies (as of March 2004): 158 technology vendors,
241 technologies, and 186 vendor source sites, http://www.epareachit.org
EPA's "A Review of Emerging Sensor Technologies for Facilitating Long-Term Ground Water
Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds" - This report summarizes the status of emerging
sensor technologies for facilitating long-term ground water monitoring for volatile organic compounds
(VOCs). It also describes a number of factors, including regulatory acceptance and cost-effectiveness,
that influence the applicability of these technologies, http://www.clu-in.0rg/s.focus/c/pub/i/1040/
Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program - established by EPA to aid
engineers, scientists and other remediation professionals in the efficient monitoring, characterization
and remediation of hazardous wastes. In this program, technologies are field-tested to assess
performance. Cost and performance data are then presented in technology evaluation reports.
http://www. epa.gov/ORD/SITE/
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3.0 EXAMPLES OF REMEDIATION SITES THAT HAVE USED SENSOR
TECHNOLOGIES
Table 1 identifies seven case studies on sensor technologies that illustrate their use in site
characterization, monitoring, and process automation. The sites discussed hi these case studies
used the following types of technologies:
3.1 SITE CHARACTERIZATION
• Membrane Interface Probe - for contaminant concentrations
• Geophysical surveys - for evaluation of hydrocarbon contamination
3.2 MONITORING
• Capacitance probe - for soil moisture content
• VECTOR technology - for ground water flow velocity
• Burge System - for sampling and analysis
3.3 AUTOMATION
• Ozone analyzers and SCADA with PLC - for ground water pump and treat operation
• SCADA with PLC - for ground water pump and treat operation
Five of the seven case studies present characterization and monitoring sensor technologies; the
other two (Moffett Federal Airfield, and Sprague Road Superfund Site) discuss sensor-dependent
automation technologies. The technologies discussed in this report are commercially available,
and have had at least one full-scale implementation. Projects for which case studies were
completed were selected based on information in available databases and Internet resources, such
as EPA's Clu-In Web site (www.cluin.org), and discussions with remediation project managers
(RPMs), staff of both EPA Headquarters and Regional Offices, project managers from other
Federal, state, and local government agencies, consultants, and vendors.
Each case study includes site background information, an overview of the sensor technology
used and the goal for using the technology, a brief summary of remedial efforts at the site,
information about the implementation of the sensor technology, and lessons learned. In addition,
each case study presents cost data for the specific sensor technology. Where actual cost data are
not available, estimated information is provided. Conclusions in the case studies are not limited
to site-specific details. In most cases, conclusions include site-specific information and general
information about the technology that might benefit potential users. References used in
preparation of each case study are provided at the end of the case study.
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• • -.;t.. r" vf-^lfc..^'?!^
' -Site Name^M
Sol Lynn/
Industrial
Transformer
Superfund Site,
Houston, Texas
Hotel Pier Site,
Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii
Badger Army
Ammunition
Plant, WI (Sub-
Site BAAP-06-
Deterrent
Burning
Ground)
Membrane
Interface Probe
Geophysical
survey
techniques - 2D-
Recon and 3D
EOL
Capacitance
probe (for soil
moisture
content)
...fl^ePeiiwi
' ?j§a.u&. $
January -
June 2001
Not provided
2004-
ongoing
••""tiiittccjhiiS
Ground water
Soil and
ground water
Soil
Contaminaitits
TCE and its
degradation
products
Hydrocarbon
contamination
Munitions
based
compounds
'
Delineate ground
water
contamination
and screen
locations
requiring further
characterization.
Characterize
areas of
hydrocarbon
contamination
and assist in
evaluation of
remedial
alternatives.
Measure soil
moisture levels
beneath a cap, to
assess potential
for leaching
contaminants to
GW at 100-1 10 ft
bgs.
MIP technology was used to
identify highly contaminated
regions in soil and ground water,
as well as delineate the extent of
the contaminant plumes in the
various water-bearing zones.
Electromagnetic surveys
characterized hydrocarbon
contamination based on the
concept that soils contaminated
with hydrocarbons feature higher
resistivity than clean soils.
A nutrient infiltration gallery
encouraged biological
degradation of residual
contamination beneath the cap.
The capacitance probes served as
sentinels against inadvertent
flooding of the remediation zone
that could potentially contaminate
the ground water almost 100 feet
bgs.
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:,
:; r^;;*iyt^(
• • -• 2wMM& IHftlHIS\">* - £
China Lake
Naval Weapons
Station, CA
velocity)
Moffett Federal
Airfield, CA
(West-side
Aquifers)
North Indian
Bend Wash,
AZ, and Nevada
Test Sites, NV
-J^^pqEjflftiPlOJ^Il' -^
VECTOR
technology (for
ground water
flow
Ozone analyzers
and
Programmable
Logic
Controllers
(PLCs) in a
ground water
pump and treat
system
Burge System -
(optical sensor)
KSSSEiSS^E
^ * ^ ^GBD^^Ifi*^^^'
1999-
ongoing (data
through
September
2004)
2001-
ongoing (data
through
September
2004)
North Indian
Bend Wash:
Jan 2002 -
July 2003
Nevada Test
Site:
December
2003 and
March 2004
•- •• CwMSsrass;1
Ground water
Ground water
Ground water
Ground water
CtjUBiiliOlll ^O^lli&H^lxjijiiEil!
vuaiamiHiUHs
Not provided
TCE
TCE
Cr-VI
^^^^^^.isaLJ^Hbij^tl^y^^p l^^^p^^^^^^^jjg^^^fflp-^PI^^ifll^p^^y^^^^iy
Monitor GW
flow along
southern property
boundary, with
potential for
transport to
nearby municipal
well fields.
Automate pump
and treat system
and monitor
ozone in aqueous
and gaseous
media.
Analyze TCE in
influent and
effluent of
ground water
treatment plant
on a daily basis.
Analyze Cr-VI in
ground water
(pilot test).
Each velocity sensor interfaces
with an above-ground datalogger
that records sensory data at a
predetermined interval.
Downloaded data is fed into an
accompanying computer program
which translates measured data to
ground water flow speed and
direction.
The ozone monitors work in
conjunction with the PLC to
ensure that (!') the correct dosage
of ozone is applied to the influent
water, (2) the off gas treatment
system is meeting the air
emission standards, and (3) the
ambient air meets occupational
safety and health administration
(OSHA) standards.
The TCE monitoring system was
used to provide automated
monitoring of influent and
effluent from a ground water
treatment system.
The Cr-VI monitoring system was
used for sample acquisition and
analysis of Cr-VI contaminated
water in a pilot test. This system
is currently in use at the Hanford
site near Richland, Washington.
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Sprague Road
Superfund Site,
TX
PLCand
SCADA
2003-
ongoing
Ground water
Cr-VI
Automation of
pump and treat
system.
PLCs used to control valves and
pumps. They interface with field
sensors and interpret real-time
sensory data to make system-
control decisions (e.g., turn pump
on or shut valve). The PLCs
communicate through a wireless
network and interface with
desktop computers that serve as
data loggers, continuously
recording system operation data
such as flow rates and totalized
flow.
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4.0 REFERENCES
EPA. 2004. 21M2 - Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century.
http://www.cluin.org/programs/21m2/(Includes quarterly literature search).
WPI. 2004. Sensor Technology Information Exchange, www.sentix.org. (Includes searchable
database of sensor information)
Federal Remediation Technology Roundtable. 2004. Field and Innovative Sampling and
Analysis Technology Matrix, version 1.0. www.frtr.gov.
EPA. 2004. Field Analytic Technologies Encyclopedia (FATE), www.fate.cluin.org. (Includes
section on technologies)
EPA. 2004. REmediation And CHaracterization Innovative Technologies (EPA REACH IT).
www. epareachit. org.
EPA. 2004. Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program.
www.epa.gov/etv/index.htm.
Vendor Web Sites
• Advantech at www.advantech.com
• Ametech, hie. at http://www.drexelbrook.com/
• Analytical Measurements, Inc. at http://www.anyliticalmeasurements.com
• Bowles Corporation, Inc. at http://www.bowles-corp.com/cet.htm
• Burge Environmental at http://www.burgenv.com/index.html
• Campbell Scientific at www. campbellsci. com/sensors, html
• Clean Earth Technology at http://www.bowles-corp.com/cet.htm
• Conor Pacific at http://www.conorpaciflc.com/
• Containment Solutions at http://www.containmentsolutions.com/
• Control Development at http://www. controldevelopment. com/
• Controlotron at http://www.controlotron.com/
• Diversified Remediation Controls, Inc. at http://www.drcl.com/prod01.htm
• Foxboro at http://foxboro.com
• Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. at http://www.geophysical.com/SIR20.htm
• Geo-Sense at http://www.geo-sense.com/
• GE Industrial Systems at http://www.geindustrial.com/cwc/gefanuc/
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Gundle/SLT Environmental Inc. at http://www.gseworld.com/
Horiba at http://global.horiba.com/analy_e/u-20_series/
Hydrotechnics at http://www.hydrotechnics.com/index_6.htm
I-CORP International, Inc. at http://www.geosynthetic.com/
Instrumentation Northwest, Inc. at http://inwusa.com/xlseries.htm
KPSI at http://www.psih.com/
Leakwise? at http://www.leakwise.com/
North East Environmental Products, Inc. at http://www.neepsystems.com/
Omega at http://www.omega.com/
PERMA-PIPE, Inc. at http://www.permapipe.com/
Physical Sciences, Inc. at http://www.psicorp.com/
Raychem Corporation at http://www.raychem.com/products/chemlex/tracetek.htm
Remediation Service, Inc. at http://www.rsi-save.com
Remote Possibilities at http://www.remotepossibilities.com/
Revere Control at http://www.reverecontrol.com
Rockwell Software at http://www.sqftware.rockwell.com/rsviewstudio/
SAIC at http://www.saiceemg.com/harrisburg/ers-siteboss.htm
Sensaphone, Inc. at http://www.sensaphone.com/
Strison Wireless Systems at http://strison.com
SubSurface Leak Detection, Inc. at
http://www.subsurfaceleak.com/zcorrJogger'_prod.html
Tracer Research Corporation at http://tracertight.com/
Troxler Electronic Laboratories at http://www.troxlerlabs.com/ap200.html
Turner Designs, Inc. at http://www.turnerdesigns.com/
Tyco Thermal Controls, Inc. at http://tycothermal.com/
Waste Technologies of Australia, Party Limited, at http://www.wastetechnologies.com/
Wonderware at www.wonderware.com
YSI at http://www.ysi.com
ZISTOC Corporation at http://www.zistos.com/
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