EPA-542-R-05-028
March 2006
Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for
Soil Vapor Extraction Systems:
State of the Practice
March 2006
Prepared by:
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
Office Solid Waste and Emergency Response
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
CONTENTS
Section Page
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS vi
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ix
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1-1
1.1 Purpose 1-1
1.2 Document Structure 1-2
1.3 Sources of Information 1-2
1.4 Types of Environmental Remediation Systems 1-3
1.5 Summary of Off-Gas Treatment Technologies Evaluated 1-3
1.5.1 Thermal Treatment 1-3
1.5.2 Adsorption 1-4
1.5.3 Biofiltration 1-4
1.5.4 Emerging Technologies 1-4
1.5.4.1 Non-Thermal Plasma 1-5
1.5.4.2 Photolytic and Photocatalytic Technologies 1-5
1.5.4.3 Membrane Separation 1-5
1.5.4.4 Other Technologies 1-5
1.6 Evaluation Criteria 1-6
2.0 BACKGROUND 2-1
2.1 State of Practice for Off-Gas Treatment 2-1
2.2 History of Soil Vapor Extraction 2-1
2.3 Soil Vapor Extraction and Multi-Phase Extraction Treatment Systems 2-2
2.3.1 Treatment System Components 2-2
2.3.2 Treatment System Operations 2-4
2.4 Contaminant Sources and Off-Gas Characteristics 2-5
2.5 Regulatory Requirements 2-7
3.0 THERMAL TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES 3-1
3.1 Thermal Oxidation 3-1
3.1.1 Technology Description 3-2
3.1.1.1 Direct-Flame Thermal Oxidizers 3-3
3.1.1.2 Flameless Thermal Oxidizers 3-3
3.1.1.3 Catalytic Oxidizers 3-5
3.1.1.4 Hybrid Thermal/Catalytic Oxidizer Systems 3-5
3.1.1.5 Heat Recovery 3-6
3.1.2 Applicability 3-8
3.1.3 Limitations 3-10
3.1.4 Performance 3-11
3.1.5 Engineering Considerations 3-14
3.1.5.1 Design Issues 3-14
3.1.5.2 Operating Issues 3-15
3.1.6 Residuals Management 3-15
3.1.6.1 Products of Complete Combustion 3-15
3.1.6.2 Products of Incomplete Combustion 3-16
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
CONTENTS (Continued)
Section
3.1.7 Cost and Economics 3-18
3.1.7.1 Capital Cost 3-18
3.1.7.2 Operating Cost 3-19
3.1.8 Developmental Status 3-21
3.2 Internal Combustion Engines 3-21
3.2.1 Technology Description 3-22
3.2.2 Applicability 3-22
3.2.3 Limitations 3-23
3.2.4 Performance 3-23
3.2.5 Engineering Considerations 3-24
3.2.6 Residuals Management 3-24
3.2.7 Cost and Economics 3-25
3.2.8 Developmental Status 3-25
4.0 ADSORPTION TECHNOLOGIES 4-1
4.1 Activated Carbon Adsorption 4-1
4.1.1 Technology Description 4-2
4.1.2 Applicability 4-4
4.1.3 Limitations 4-4
4.1.4 Performance 4-6
4.1.5 Engineering Considerations 4-6
4.1.6 Residuals Management 4-8
4.1.7 Cost and Economics 4-8
4.1.8 Developmental Status 4-9
4.2 Zeolite Adsorption 4-9
4.2.1 Technology Description 4-9
4.2.2 Applicability 4-10
4.2.3 Limitations 4-12
4.2.4 Performance 4-12
4.2.5 Engineering Considerations 4-14
4.2.6 Residuals Management 4-15
4.2.7 Cost and Economics 4-16
4.2.8 Developmental Status 4-16
4.3 Synthetic Polymer Adsorption 4-17
4.3.1 Technology Description 4-17
4.3.2 Applicability 4-18
4.3.3 Limitations 4-19
4.3.4 Performance 4-19
4.3.5 Engineering Considerations 4-20
4.3.6 Residuals Management 4-20
4.3.7 Cost and Economics 4-20
4.3.8 Developmental Status 4-21
5.0 BIOFILTRATION TECHNOLOGIES 5-1
5.1 Technology Description 5-1
5.2 Applicability 5-4
5.3 Limitations 5-5
5.4 Performance 5-6
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems' State of the Practice
CONTENTS (Continued)
Section
5.5 Engineering Considerations 5-9
5.6 Residuals Management 5-13
5.7 Cost and Economics 5-14
5.8 Developmental Status 5-15
6.0 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 6-1
6.1 Non-Thermal Plasma Technologies 6-1
6.1.1 Technology Description and Applicability 6-1
6.1.1.1 Silent Discharge Plasma 6-3
6.1.2.1 Gas-Phase Corona Reactor 6-3
6.1.2 Developmental Status 6-5
6.1.3 Performance 6-6
6.1.4 Engineering Considerations, Limitations, and Cost 6-8
6.2 Photolytic and Photocatalytic Technologies 6-10
6.2.1 Technology Description and Applicability 6-10
6.2.2 Developmental Status 6-11
6.2.2.1 Photolytic Treatment 6-11
6.2.2.2 Photocatalytic Treatment 6-12
6.2.3 Performance 6-13
6.2.4 Engineering Considerations, Limitations, and Cost 6-15
6.3 Membrane Separation Technologies 6-16
6.3.1 Technology Description and Applicability 6-17
6.3.2 Developmental Status 6-18
6.3.3 Performance 6-19
6.3.4 Engineering Considerations, Limitations, and Costs 6-19
6.4 Other Technologies 6-20
6.4.1 Gas Absorption Technologies 6-20
6.4.2 Vapor Condensation Technologies 6-22
7.0 SUMMARY 7-1
8-0 REFERENCES 8-1
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
LIST OF TABLES
Section paqe
3-1 Lower Explosive Limits for Selected Hydrocarbons 3-9
3-2 Required Oxidation Temperatures to Achieve 99% Destruction and Removal Efficiencies
for Select Compounds 3-13
4-1 Estimated Capital Cost Range for Vapor-Phase Activated Carbon Treatment Units
(Including Carbon) 4-9
6-1 Gas-Phase Corona Plasma Reactor Technology Results 6-7
6-2 Representative Destruction and Removal Efficiencies for Photocatalytic Treatment of
Volatile Organic Compound-Contaminated Air 6-13
6-3 Destruction and Removal Efficiencies for Photolytic Treatment of Soil Vapor Extraction
Contaminants from McClellan Air Force Base 6-14
7-1 Generalized Volatile Organic Compound Influent Concentration Ranges for Commercially
Available Technologies 7-2
7-2 Evaluation Factors for Thermal Oxidation and Carbon Adsorption Technology Selection 7-3
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
LIST OF FIGURES
Section Page
2-1 Typical Soil Vapor Extraction System 2-3
2-2 Typical Multi-Phase Extraction System 2-4
3-1 Generalized Flow Diagram of Typical Thermal Oxidation System 3-2
3-2 Flameless Thermal Oxidizer System 3-4
3-3 Hybrid Thermal/Catalytic Oxidizer System 3-6
3-4 Recuperative Thermal Oxidizer 3-7
3-5 Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer 3-8
3-6 Internal Combustion Engine Remediation System 3-22
4-1 Typical Regenerable Activated Carbon System 4-3
4-2 Zeolite Adsorption System 4-11
4-3 Comparison of Inlet Concentration Effects on Adsorption Capacity of Adsorbents 4-13
4-4 Comparison of Humidity Effects on Adsorption Capacity of Adsorbents 4-14
4-5 Polymer Adsorption System 4-18
5-1 Typical Biofiltration System 5-3
6-1 Packed Bed Corona Reactor 6-4
6-2 Typical Two-Stage Membrane Separation System 6-18
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
A Angstrom
AC Alternating current
AFCEE Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence
AFB Air Force Base
AST Aboveground storage tank
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
BACT Best available control technology
Battelle Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
BTEX Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene
BTU British thermal unit
BTU/cubic ft British thermal unit per cubic foot
CAA Clean Air Act
-Cat-Ox Catalytic oxidizer
CDC Centers for Disease Control
cfm Cubic foot per minute
CO Carbon monoxide
DCA Dichloroethane
DCE Dichloroethene
DFTO Direct flame thermal oxidizer
DNAPL Dense nonaqueous-phase liquid
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
DPE Dual-phase extraction
DRE Destruction and removal efficiency
EBCT Empty bed contact time
fpm Feet per minute
FRTR Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable
FTO Flameless thermal oxidizer
g/m3/hr Gram per cubic meter per hour
GAG Granular activated carbon
HAP Hazardous air pollutant
ICAC Institute of Clean Air Companies
ICE Internal combustion engine
IP lonization potential
kV Kilovolt
LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory
Ib/hr Pound per hour
LEL Lower explosive limit
LNAPL Light nonaqueous-phase liquid
MACT Maximum achievable control technology
MCP Massachusetts Contingency Plan
MEC Maximum elimination capacity
MEK Methyl ethyl ketone
MIBK Methyl isobutyl ketone
mm Hg Millimeter of mercury
MPE Multi-phase extraction
MTBE Methyl tert-butyl ether
NAPL Nonaqueous-phase liquid
NAS Naval Air Station
NCER National Center for Environmental Research
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (CONTINUED)
NESHAP National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutant
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
nm Nanometer
NOX Nitrogen oxides
O&M Operation and maintenance
PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl
PCC Product of complete combustion
PCDD Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin
PCDD/F Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans
PCDF Polychlorinated dibenzofuran
PCE Tetrachloroethene
PIC Product of incomplete combustion
ppm Part per million
ppmv Part per million by volume
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RTN Remediation Technologies Network
RTO Regenerative thermal oxidizer
scfm Standard cubic foot per minute
SITE Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation
SOX Sulfur oxides
SVE Soil vapor extraction
SVOC Semivolatile organic compound
TCA Trichloroethane
TCE Trichloroethene
TiO2 Titanium dioxide
TPH Total petroleum hydrocarbon
UEL Upper explosive limit
USAGE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
UST Underground storage tank
UV Ultraviolet
VOC Volatile organic compound
VII
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
This report has been prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Office of
Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) under Contract Number 68-W-02-034.
Information in this report is derived from numerous sources, including personal communications with
experts in the field. Some of the source documents have been peer-reviewed. This report has
undergone U.S. EPA and external review by subject matter experts. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
If you have questions about this report, please contact Kelly Madalinski, U.S. EPA OSRTI, at (703)
603-9901 or madalinski.kellv@epa.gov.
A portable document format (pdf) version of "Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor
Extraction Systems: State of the Practice" may be viewed or downloaded at the Hazardous Waste
Cleanup Information (CLU-IN) system Web site at http://clu-in.org/542R05028. A limited number of
printed copies are available free of charge and may be ordered via the Web site, by mail, or by fax
from:
U.S. EPA/National Service Center for Environmental Publications
P.O. Box42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419
Telephone: (513) 489-8190 or (800) 490-9198
Fax: (513)489-8695
March 2006
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems: State of the Practice
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This document has been prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Office
of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) under Contract Number 68-W-02-
034. Special acknowledgment is given to the remediation professionals for their review and
thoughtful suggestions to support the preparation of this document, including the following federal
staff: Harold Ball (U.S. EPA), Ray Cody (U.S. EPA), JoAnn Eskelsen (U.S. EPA), Michael Gill (U.S.
EPA), Bernard Schorle (U.S. EPA), Michelle Simon (U.S. EPA), Cynthia Wetmore (U.S. EPA), Dave
Becker (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and Edward Mead (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This document provides state-of-the-practice information on off-gas treatment technologies for soil
vapor extraction (SVE) systems currently being used to clean up hazardous waste sites. It provides
information on a wide variety of processes, including common practices as well as innovative emerging
alternatives to illustrate the state of the practice. This information can help SVE project managers and
practitioners with the following:
• Identifying available technologies for off-gas treatment and understanding their applicability
• Understanding principles of the various off-gas treatment technologies, their strengths, and
their limitations
• Screening technologies based on site-specific off-gas attributes, treatment goals, and costs
• Finding detailed information about conventional technologies and new emerging alternatives
Treatment of remediation system off-gases is necessary because the volatile organic compounds
(VOC) typically present in SVE off-gases are hazardous because of their toxicity (acute or long-term
carcinogenicity), ignitability, or other reasons. Often, the direct discharge of off-gases without
treatment is unacceptable because of health, safety, or public concerns. The goal of off-gas treatment
is to improve the off-gas quality for release to the atmosphere, with minimal impact to human health or
the environment.
SVE is one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods of removing VOCs from contaminated soil.
In the United States, SVE is an accepted technology that has been used at landfill sites and leaking
underground storage tank (UST) sites since the 1970s. In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA) approved SVE as a presumptive remedy for treating soils contaminated with
VOCs. Multi-phase extraction (MPE) is a related technology, and the types of off-gas treatment
technologies used for MPE are often very similar to those used for SVE. The nature of the off-gas
streams produced by SVE and MPE systems affects the selection of the vapor treatment technology
and engineering requirements for the treatment system.
Depending on the site and specific remediation goals, a typical SVE or MPE system operates for six
months to several years. Sites with the most stringent soil clean-up criteria or with very large
contaminant masses may require the use of SVE systems for much longer. Off-gas streams
generated from these remediation systems are generally low- to medium-flows containing dilute
concentrations of VOCs. The vapor flow rates encountered by most SVE systems generally range
from 100 to 1,500 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm).
The nature of SVE and MPE off-gas depends on the nature and distribution of VOCs in the
subsurface. Site attributes and physical properties of the chemical constituents in the off-gas directly
influence the selection of the off-gas treatment technology and overall remediation strategy. Some
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
important site attributes include the presence of nonaqueous-phase liquid (NAPL) sources of
contamination and the capacity of the soil to release vapors (soil permeability). Physical properties of
the chemical compounds that influence the treatment technology include molecular weight and Henry's
law constants.
Treatment technologies for off-gas treatment are categorized into the following four groups in this
report:
1. Thermal - An oxidation process in which the temperature is increased to destroy vapor-phase
contaminants; for this report, internal combustion engine (ICE) is included as a thermal
technology
2. Adsorption - A process separating contaminants using a medium or matrix
3. Biological - Use of living organisms that consume or metabolize chemicals in the off-gas
4. Emerging technologies - Including photocatalytic and non-thermal plasma treatment, which
destroy contaminants using ultraviolet (UV) light and electrical energy, respectively
This document presents the state of the practice for these technologies based on applicability,
limitations, performance, engineering considerations, residuals management, cost and economics, and
developmental status. This information is intended to assist project managers and engineers in
evaluating and selecting appropriate off-gas treatment technologies for SVE systems. The information
is also applicable to vapors generated from groundwater treatment systems. Project managers and
engineers seeking guidance for design and operation of such systems should consult engineering
manuals and other specific guidance documents referred to throughout this document.
Thermal treatment technologies include thermal oxidation and ICEs. Thermal oxidation systems
(including direct-flame, flameless, and catalytic oxidizers) can treat a broad range of SVE off-gas
streams and are often chosen for their reliability in achieving high VOC destruction and removal
efficiencies (ORE). These systems can be designed to oxidize 95 percent to more than 99 percent of
the influent VOCs. Target contaminant groups in SVE off-gas suitable for thermal oxidation treatment
include non-halogenated VOCs, semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC), and fuel hydrocarbons at a
wide range of concentrations. Specific classes of compounds readily destroyed in thermal oxidizers
include alcohols, aliphatics, aromatics, esters, and ketones. If halogenated compounds are present in
the SVE off-gas (chlorinated VOCs such as trichloroethene [TCE]), acid gases may be generated and
require further treatment. Limitations of thermal oxidation for treating SVE off-gas include its
comparatively high capital expense and the potentially high cost of energy to heat the incoming SVE
off-gas. ICEs can treat high VOC concentrations and achieve relatively high DREs.
Adsorption systems are most effective (in terms of both cost and waste management) for
remediation projects involving moderate flow rates and dilute contaminant concentrations (less than
100 parts per million by volume [ppmv]). Well-designed adsorption systems may achieve 95 to 98
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
percent DREs at input concentrations of 500 to 2,000 ppmv. At lower concentrations, removal is
generally greater than 98 percent. The main limitation of this technology is the high operating cost
associated with adsorbent replacement or regeneration when high influent concentrations are treated.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) is the most common adsorbent used to treat SVE off-gas. Although
GAG systems can be used to treat a wide range of VOCs, they are not effective for treating VOCs with
high polarity (such as alcohols and organic acids) or high vapor pressures (highly volatile compounds
such as vinyl chloride, methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE], and methylene chloride). System flow rates can
range from 100 to 60,000 scfm. The relatively low initial capital cost of carbon adsorption systems
makes them particularly attractive for short-term SVE applications when dilute concentrations of VOCs
are present. High humidity diminishes the adsorptive ability of GAC. Zeolites and polymers are two
other types of adsorbents. Their adsorptive capacities are not as affected by high humidity levels, but
their costs are significantly higher than GAC costs. Highly polar and volatile VOC degradation
products, such as vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, sulfur compounds, and alcohols, are better adsorbed
by hydrophilic zeolites than by GAC. Polymeric adsorption is applicable to a wide range of VOCs and
chlorinated VOCs at a wide range of vapor flow rates.
Biofiltration can be used to treat relatively dilute VOC concentrations (typically less than 1,500 total
ppmv). If optimum conditions are maintained, a properly designed biofilter may achieve greater than
90 percent and sometimes greater than 95 percent DREs. System flow rates typically range from 20 to
500 scfm. Specific classes of compounds readily biodegradable by biofilters include mono-aromatic
hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones. Biofiltration is most effective in treating vapor
streams from SVE systems remediating leaking USTs at gas stations. At these sites, destruction of
aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds (such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,
and xylene [BTEX] compounds) is required. One limitation is that the technology is sensitive to
variations in operating parameters, such as moisture content, temperature, pH, and nutrient levels. A
limited number of biofiltration systems are currently being used for SVE applications.
Emerging technologies for SVE off-gas treatment include non-thermal plasma, photolytic and
photocatalytic, membrane separation, gas absorption, and vapor condensation technologies. These
technologies have not been used widely for SVE off-gas treatment. Also, several of the technologies
are mostly in the research and development stage. Non-thermal plasma treatment can achieve high
DREs for a wide range of chemicals, including aromatic VOCs (such as BTEX) and chlorinated VOCs.
This treatment can address a wide range of concentrations but only at lower flow rates than thermal
and adsorption technologies. Photolytic and photocatalytic technologies are effective for treating a
broad range of halogenated and non-halogenated VOCs, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons,
alcohols, ethers, ketones, and aldehydes. These technologies work best on concentrated VOC waste
streams (1 to 3,000 ppmv) at low flow rates. Membrane separation is best suited for chlorinated and
non-chlorinated VOC concentrations exceeding 1,000 ppmv (up to 10,000 ppmv). The capacity of
current systems generally ranges from 1 to 100 scfm.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems. State of the Practice
Thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption are the two most common technologies used for SVE off-gas
treatment. These two technologies are robust, demonstrated, and mature vapor treatment methods
that can address a wide variety of contaminants and concentrations. At present, the selection of off-
gas treatment technologies for SVE is based on cost and operational considerations that differentiate
thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption systems. Although many factors affect the cost of off-gas
treatment, the general rule for selecting thermal oxidation or carbon adsorption is that dilute off-gases
are more cost-effectively treated by carbon adsorption. Thermal oxidation becomes more
cost-effective for off-gases that contain greater concentrations of vapor contaminants. Some sites
have both thermal oxidation and GAG systems. Thermal oxidation systems have been used to treat
higher initial concentrations and are replaced by GAC systems once concentrations have decreased.
The following table summarizes evaluation factors for selecting thermal oxidation and carbon
adsorption technologies.
Although thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption are currently the most common treatment
technologies for SVE off-gas, some emerging technologies presented in this document have the
potential to be cost-effective alternatives to thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption. In the future,
cost-efficiency improvements or reports of new, positive experiences in applying these alternatives
may result in their selection more frequently.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Evaluation Factors for Thermal Oxidation and Carbon Adsorption Technology Selection
Factor
Thermal Oxidation
Carbon Adsorption
Concentration
More commonly used for higher
contaminant concentrations (> 500
ppmv); treatment costs per pound of
contaminant decrease as VOC
concentrations increase because less
supplemental energy is required per
pound removed
More frequently used for dilute vapor
concentrations (< 1,000 ppmv);
treatment costs per pound of
contaminant tend to stay same or
increase as concentration of vapors
increase because carbon replacement
frequency increases
O&M requirements
Tends to require more labor and more
skilled labor to operate because of
safety considerations
Tends to be simpler and less labor-
intensive to operate and maintain
unless vapor-phase concentrations
are high and "breakthrough" occurs
frequently
Safety
More safeguards necessary if it is
possible for off-gases to reach high
concentrations (significant fractions of
the lower explosive limits of the
contaminants in the vapor); formation
of dioxins and furans is possible if not
properly operated
Tends to be very safe under most
conditions; however, high levels of
ketones or similar compounds may
pose a fire hazard
Chlorinated vs.
non-chlorinated VOCs
Less commonly used for chlorinated
VOCs because of formation of
hydrochloric acid during vapor
combustion, which requires special
acid-resistant materials for piping and
equipment after combustion chamber
Equally applicable to chlorinated and
non-chlorinated VOCs; acid formation
not typically an issue
Variety of compounds
that can be treated
Except for acid formation during
combustion of chlorinated VOCs, wide
variety of compounds can be treated
Not all compounds adsorb well to
activated carbon (depends on sorptive
capacity); some common compounds
(such as vinyl chloride) not readily
treated; therefore, each compound in
off-gas must be considered
Capital vs. O&M costs
Equipment significantly more
expensive to purchase than carbon
units; however, at high VOC
concentrations, O&M costs lower than
carbon units
Capital costs fairly low; O&M costs
proportional to off-gas flow rates and
vapor concentrations
Notes:
O&M
ppmv
VOC
Operation and maintenance
Part per million by volume
Volatile organic compound
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This document discusses the state of the practice of off-gas treatment technologies for remediation
systems currently being used to clean up hazardous waste sites, with a focus on soil vapor extraction
(SVE) systems. The following sections discuss the purpose of this document, summarize the
document structure, present sources of information, discuss types of environmental remediation
systems, present a summary of the off-gas treatment technologies evaluated, and discuss the
evaluation criteria.
1.1 Purpose
This document provides information on a wide variety of technologies available for the treatment of
chemical contaminants in the off-gas emissions of site remediation systems currently used in the
environmental remediation industry. The off-gas treatment technologies evaluated include common
practices as well as innovative emerging alternatives to represent the state of the practice. The
technologies are analyzed based on a number of criteria, such as applicability, limitations,
performance, and engineering considerations (see Section 1.6). This information is intended to assist
project managers and engineers in the evaluation and selection of appropriate off-gas treatment
technologies for SVE systems. The information is also applicable to vapors generated from multi-
phase extraction (MPE) and groundwater treatment systems. It is recommended that project
managers and engineers seeking guidance on the design and operation of such off-gas treatment
systems consult engineering manuals or other specific guidance documents for specific technologies
of interest. Reference materials on the design and use of SVE systems are listed below.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USAGE) "Soil Vapor Extraction and Bioventing Engineer
Manual" - http://www.usace.armv.mil/inet/information/usace-docs/enq-manuals (USAGE 2002)
• USAGE'S "Multi-Phase Extraction Engineer Manual" -
http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/information/usace-docs/eng-manuals (USAGE 1999)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) "Presumptive Remedies: Site
Characterization and Technology Selection for CERCLA Sites with Volatile Organic
Compounds in Soils" - http://www.epa.gov/superfund/resources/presump/finaiDdf/scts.pdf
(U.S. EPA1993b)
• U.S. EPA's "Air Pollution Control Cost Manual" - http://www.epa.gOV/ttn/catc/dir1/c allchs,pdf
(U.S. EPA 2002)
• U.S. EPA's "Development of Recommendations and Methods to Support Assessment of Soil
Venting Performance and Closure" -
http://www.epa .gov/ada/down load/reports/epa 600 r01 070.pdf (U.S. EPA 2001 b)
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
1.2 Document Structure
This document has eight sections, including this introduction (Section 1.0). This introduction presents
the purpose of this document, the document structure, sources of information, types of environmental
remediation systems, summary of off-gas treatment technologies evaluated, and evaluation criteria.
Section 2.0 presents background information that provides a basis for applying technology screening
to specific sites and treatment system applications. This section also includes a brief discussion on the
history of SVE treatment and the estimated number of systems in operation. It discusses typical
sources of contamination and chemicals treated by SVE and related environmental remediation
systems, how these chemicals generally behave in the environment, and the site characteristics that
make sites amenable to SVE and related treatments. Treatment system components, monitoring
parameters, and their general operation are also discussed to provide a clear understanding of how
off-gas treatment systems physically interact with remediation systems. Regulatory requirements
applicable to SVE systems are also discussed.
Sections 3.0 through 6.0 provide evaluations of the various off-gas treatment technologies based on
the defined evaluation criteria (see Section 1.6). Each section pertains to a particular technology
group. Specifically, Section 3.0 evaluates thermal treatment technologies (including direct-flame
thermal oxidation, flameless thermal oxidation, catalytic oxidation, hybrid thermal/catalytic oxidation,
and heat recovery) and internal combustion engines (ICE). Section 4.0 discusses adsorption
technologies and three major sorbents: activated carbon, zeolites, and synthetic polymers. Section 5.0
evaluates biofiltration. Section 6.0 focuses on emerging technologies, including non-thermal plasma,
photolytic and photocatalytic processes, membrane separation, and other technologies.
Section 7.0 summarizes the information provided in this document. References used to prepare this
document and cited in text are listed in Section 8.0.
1.3 Sources of information
The information presented in this document comes from a number of sources (see Section 8.0). In
general, every attempt has been made to use peer-reviewed information and technical literature from
authoritative sources, including technical papers, textbooks, research articles, technology reviews,
U.S. EPA and other agency documents, and commercial database searches. In certain
circumstances, Web sites were consulted for recent data, and where applicable, they are cited. For
emerging and innovative technologies, vendor information was obtained from papers, Web sites, and
personal communications.
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1.4 Types of Environmental Remediation Systems
SVE systems generate off-gases by removing soil vapors directly from the subsurface or by
transferring the contaminants to a vapor phase from an adsorbed phase on soil particles or from
dissolved-phase (aqueous) or free-product liquids. These soil vapors often contain volatile organic
compounds (VOC) that cannot be discharged to the atmosphere without treatment. A similar
environmental remediation system that also generates vapors that require treatment is MPE,
sometimes referred to as dual-phase extraction (DPE). Other systems that can create a vapor-phase
off-gas requiring treatment are air strippers from groundwater pump-and-treat processes, ex-situ soil
pile treatments, and bioventing systems. There are some exceptions to the need for treating off-gas
(such as when the site-specific nature of the subsurface or operational flow of a system yields
concentrations of off-gas chemicals that do not result in health effects or nuisance odors). Even in
these cases, however, local ordinances may preclude direct venting of off-gases to the atmosphere.
Treatment of remediation system off-gases is important. In many instances, the VOCs in the off-gases
are chemicals that are hazardous because of toxicity (acute or long-term carcinogenicity), ignitability,
or other reasons. The goal of off-gas treatment is to improve the quality of off-gas for release to the
atmosphere, with minimal impact to human health and the environment.
1.5 Summary of Off-Gas Treatment Technologies Evaluated
Currently available commercial technologies for off-gas treatment can be categorized into three main
groups: thermal treatment, adsorption, and biofiltration. Thermal treatment is an oxidation process in
which the temperature is increased to destroy contaminants in the vapor phase. Adsorption
technologies involve the separation of contaminants by medium or matrix. Biofiltration treatment
technologies take advantage of living organisms that consume or metabolize off-gas chemicals prior to
off-gas discharge. Other emerging technologies include photolytic treatment and non-thermal plasma
treatment, which destroy contaminants using ultraviolet (UV) light or electrical energy. Although these
technologies are used for industrial applications, they are considered emerging because of limited SVE
applications to date.
1.5.1 Thermal Treatment
Thermal treatment of contaminants is a frequently used technology combusting or oxidizing VOCs to
byproducts such as carbon dioxide and water. Section 3.0 discusses this technology in detail.
Specific applications include direct-flame thermal oxidation, flameless thermal oxidation, catalytic
oxidation, hybrid thermal/catalytic oxidation, heat recovery and ICEs. Thermal (non-catalytic)
processes typically operate at temperatures exceeding 1,400 °F, with a typical minimum residence
time over 0.5 seconds. Regenerative and recuperative system designs can be used to minimize
operating costs by recovering a portion of the energy generated in the combustion process to preheat
influent gases. Catalytic oxidation, the most commonly used thermal treatment off-gas technology,
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uses a catalyst and heat to oxidize contaminants in the vapor stream (U.S. EPA 2004). The low VOC
concentrations typically seen in SVE applications often require additional fuel or heat input to sustain
oxidation. Halogenated contaminants, however, also form halogen acids, which cannot be discharged
directly into the atmosphere. The acids also tend to "poison" the catalyst. Traditionally, the gas stream
must be passed through a scrubber to remove the acid. In addition, thermal treatment of chlorinated
organic compounds has the potential to form various products of incomplete combustion (for example,
carbon monoxide).
1.5.2 Adsorption
The simplest process for off-gas treatment discussed in this document is adsorption of contaminants.
Section 4.0 discusses this technology in detail. Adsorption refers to the attraction and retention of
organic contaminants to the surface of an adsorbent material. The key feature of the adsorbent
material is that it is extremely porous and provides a large surface area for adsorption to take place.
Although this technology concentrates contaminants and can be used to treat reasonably large
volumes of off-gas, ultimately the adsorbent must either be disposed of as a hazardous waste or
regenerated, thus releasing the contaminants for further treatment. Activated carbon is the most
widely used adsorbent material. Other adsorbent materials include alumino-silicate crystal structures
known as "zeolites" and synthetic polymers. Selection of an appropriate adsorbent material is primarily
a function of the contaminant to be adsorbed, although the adsorption capacity of certain materials
may be adversely affected by the relative humidity of the off-gas stream.
1.5.3 Biofiltration
Biofiltration processes are used to biologically degrade VOCs present in remediation off-gas streams.
Section 5.0 discusses this technology in detail. Off-gas streams are passed through a bed or vessel of
biologically active filter material. The organic VOCs in the vapor stream are adsorbed onto the filter
media and subsequently degraded to inert compounds, usually carbon dioxide and water, by the
microorganisms. Various biofiltration media (organic or synthetic) can be used for these systems.
1.5.4 Emerging Technologies
A number of new or emerging technologies are either not commercially available or do not have
substantial performance information available for SVE applications. Nonetheless, depending on the
site circumstances, these technologies may warrant consideration for an SVE practitioner. These
technologies are briefly summarized below and discussed in detail in Section 6.0.
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1.5.4.1 Non-Thermal Plasma
Non-thermal plasma technologies are relatively new technologies and involve the destruction of vapor-
phase compounds by ionizing the compounds in the gas stream, thereby creating a plasma. This
process typically occurs at temperature ranging from 90 to 250 °F (hence the term "non-thermal"). By
adjusting conditions under which plasma formation occurs, the free radicals formed recombine into
(generally) non-toxic simple compounds that can be released to the atmosphere. Specific plasma
technologies include silent discharge plasma, gas-phase corona reactor, tunable hybrid plasma, and
low-pressure surface wave plasma. The techniques differ principally in the (1) methods of applying
electric fields to impart energy to the air stream and destroy the VOCs, and (2) amount of energy
required. Each technique uses a power source and a flow-through reactor vessel.
1.5.4.2 Photolytic and Photocatalytic Technologies
Photolytic technologies use UV light to ionize the VOC-laden vapor stream. The UV light furnishes
energy to excite and break the molecular bond of the VOCs creating free radicals. Photocatalytic
technologies are similar to photolytic technologies; however, UV light is used in the presence of a
catalyst (usually titanium dioxide [TiO2]). The reaction resulting from the contact between the UV light
and the catalyst produces hydroxyl radicals that destroy the VOC. The use of the catalyst allows VOC
destruction to occur at, or near, room temperature.
1.5.4.3 Membrane Separation
Membrane separation technologies remove VOC vapors from the air/vapor mixture by passing the
waste stream through a membrane designed to be more permeable to organic molecules than to air.
These membrane separation systems can be configured as single-stage systems (typically used to
treat concentrated industrial process streams) or as two-stage systems (commonly used to treat more
dilute streams generated from site remediation).
1.5.4.4 Other Technologies
Other emerging technologies discussed in this document include gas absorption and vapor
condensation technologies, which are summarized below.
Gas Absorption
Gas absorption technologies involve processes in which contaminant vapors are dissolved into a liquid
solution. This process is referred to as "scrubbing." In some cases, the contaminant in the vapor
stream chemically reacts with a component of the absorbent solution (for example, acid gases are
absorbed into a caustic solution). The main difference between absorption and adsorption is that
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absorption incorporates the contaminant into the absorbent medium, while adsorption takes place on
the medium.
Vapor Condensation
During treatment of contaminated vapor streams, cooling or condensation of the vapor-phase
contaminants can be used as a stand-alone control system or as an enhancement to other vapor
control technologies. In a condensation system, the contaminant-laden vapor stream is cooled below
the dew point of the contaminants. The vapor-phase contaminants are then condensed and can be
collected for recycling or disposal in the liquid phase.
1.6 Evaluation Criteria
Each technology-specific section of this document provides a description of the technology and a
generalized graphical representation of a typical system. Criteria are then presented to support an
evaluation of the off-gas treatment technologies.
Applicability: This criterion evaluates the types of contaminants treated by each technology and the
system's ability to effectively treat a variety of contaminant types as well as mixed waste streams within
a wide range of contaminant concentrations and flow rates. This criterion also addresses the use of
the technology for industrial applications and environmental remediation systems, as well as the use of
a particular technology in a treatment train with other technologies.
Limitations: This criterion addresses whether the technology is easily used with SVE or other
remediation systems and regulatory awareness and acceptance of the technology. This criterion also
evaluates technology reliability and operation and maintenance (O&M) requirements for the technology
to achieve its design performance standard (that is, considerations such as ease of maintenance and
downtime). This criterion also considers technical limitations such as moisture content, flow rate, and
residence time.
Performance: This criterion allows evaluation of technology performance, including proven destruction
and removal efficiency (ORE) values for each technology based on available literature and vendor
data. This criterion considers performance monitoring procedures and equipment, and the ability of
each technology to handle mass loading. Issues related to start-up and maintenance of steady-state
conditions are also discussed.
Engineering Considerations: This criterion considers various required engineering design parameters
and their impact on the optimization of a specific technology. Problems typical in the operation of a
system and means to circumvent these problems are discussed under this criterion.
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Residuals Management: This criterion evaluates whether the technology generates treatment
residuals (including solid, liquid, and vapor waste streams) that require additional treatment or
disposal. Residual management environmental concerns include the potential of a technology to
generate products of incomplete combustion (PIC) and toxic breakdown products, including dioxins
and furans.
Cost and Economics: This criterion evaluates technology costs, relative capital investment costs, and
O&M costs associated with each technology. When cost information is limited, factors that significantly
affect the cost of each technology are considered, and case-specific examples are presented as
benchmark applications representing particular conditions.
Developmental Status: This criterion addresses the commercial availability of the technology. Also
considered are the status of the technology (indicated by regulatory approval or conference
proceedings), availability of equipment, ongoing research projects, and pilot-scale and full-scale
systems in place. Vendors for the technologies are also presented under this criterion.
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2.0 BACKGROUND
Off-gas treatment systems are used to prevent or minimize the discharge of vapor-phase chemicals
associated with SVE or other environmental remediation systems. Untreated vapor-phase chemicals
may pose risks or be a nuisance to surrounding human or environmental receptors. To support
evaluation of off-gas treatment technologies and provide a frame of reference for understanding the
nature of the off-gases, this section discusses the state of the practice of off-gas treatment, the history
of SVE, SVE and MPE treatment systems, sources of contaminants typically present in off-gases
treated using SVE and associated off-gas characteristics, and regulatory requirements.
2.1 State of Practice for Off-Gas Treatment
This document provides information regarding off-gas treatment technologies ranging from
conventional to innovative methods. The state of the practice is quite varied. For example, of the 170
Superfund remedial action sites having SVE systems with reported information from 1982 to 2002, 24
systems do not include off-gas treatment of discharges. When off-gas treatment is used, the primary
treatment documented is adsorption with activated carbon. For Superfund sites with data available, 70
percent of off-gas control systems for ongoing remediation projects use carbon adsorption. The
second most popular method is thermal oxidation at 25 percent (U.S. EPA 2004). Alternatives to
thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption are being developed; however, experience with these
emerging technologies for off-gas treatment is currently limited within the Superfund program.
2.2 History of Soil Vapor Extraction
SVE is one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods of removing VOCs from contaminated soils
(USAGE 2002). In the United States, SVE is an accepted technology that has been used at landfill
sites and at leaking underground storage tank (UST) sites since the 1970s. As early as 1972, Duane
Knopik began using SVE to clean up gasoline that had leaked from a UST at his service station in
Forest Lake, Minnesota. By 1982, Knopik had used his by-then patented system at approximately 100
sites throughout the United States. Other early developers of SVE systems in the late 1970s and early
1980s included Oil Recovery Systems, Inc.; Exxon Company USA; Shell Oil Company; Upjohn
Company; and the American Petroleum Institute (Thornton and Wootan 1982). More recently, the
practice of SVE has been applied to remediate non-petroleum related hazardous waste sites. In 1993,
U.S. EPA designated SVE as a presumptive remedy for Superfund sites contaminated with VOCs
(U.S. EPA1993b).
MPE is, in many ways, a very similar technology to SVE and has similar off-gas control requirements.
MPE uses a combination of SVE and liquid (both water and nonaqueous-phase liquid [NAPL])
extraction at the same well. MPE was used as a remediation technology as early as the mid-1980s
(Blake and Gates 1986). In 1997, U.S. EPA identified MPE as a presumptive remedy for VOCs in soil
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and groundwater (U.S. EPA 1997a). MPE is often considered an enhanced application of SVE (U.S.
EPA 1997c).
The status of these technologies as presumptive remedies, their cost-effectiveness, and the ease with
which they are employed have resulted in their frequent application at contaminated sites. As of 2004,
approximately 222 Superfund sites had SVE and MPE identified as remedial technologies
(approximately 15 percent of all sites) (U.S. EPA 2004). SVE is also widely used in Europe and is
considered standard protocol in Germany (Miller 1991).
Many of the treatment technologies described in this document also have been applied to industrial
processes that emit off-gases. Because of the pollution control needs of industries, commercialization
of treatment technologies often begins with industrial uses and then becomes applied for site
remediation. Some of the performance data from industrial systems are directly applicable to
remediation systems. For these reasons, where applicable and necessary, information from industrial
off-gas treatment systems is included in this document.
2.3 Soil Vapor Extraction and Multi-Phase Extraction Treatment Systems
The following sections discuss SVE and MPE treatment system components and operations.
2.3.1 Treatment System Components
An SVE system consists of one or more extraction wells screened in the unsaturated zone connected
to a regenerative blower or vacuum pump to withdraw the soil vapor. Sometimes, SVE systems
include air-injection or passive-pressure venting wells to allow inflow of air to the subsurface. A low-
permeability cap at the ground surface may also be incorporated into the design to prevent the flow of
atmospheric air into the SVE wells. An air-water separator (moisture knock-out pot) is typically
installed upstream of the blower or pump to remove excess liquid water in the soil vapor to avoid
damage to equipment. SVE induces air flow in the unsaturated zone by creating a pressure gradient
through the withdrawal of air from the wells. The unsaturated zone air flow results in desorption of
contaminants from the surface of soil particles, volatilization of contaminants dissolved in groundwater,
and evaporation of NAPLs. Figure 2-1 shows a typical SVE system.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems- State of the Practice
Figure 2-1. Typical Soil Vapor Extraction System
Clean Air
Note: 'Denotes Optional Components
Water Tabie f
Source: U.S. EPA 1991c
MPE applications use the pressure gradient in a more aggressive manner. MPE systems incorporate
a modification of the conventional SVE technology. MPE systems simultaneously extract both
groundwater and soil vapor. A vacuum is placed on the extraction well, which facilitates inflow of
groundwater and NAPLs to the well. This technique may make extraction of liquids in low-permeability
soils feasible when liquid flow rates would normally be very slow. MPE systems often employ high
vacuum (greater than 12 inches of mercury) pumps. A suction pipe can be lowered into the extraction
well to extract soil vapor and groundwater, or a submersible pump can be used to draw the water table
down while the vacuum removes soil vapor. Figure 2-2 shows a typical MPE system.
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Figure 2-2. Typical Multi-Phase Extraction System
i Grouttdwater f low
Source: U.S. EPA 1997a
The final component in both SVE and MPE systems is generally the off-gas treatment system. Off-gas
treatment is necessary for almost all systems. Although off-gas treatment does not directly affect the
rate of site remediation, technical issues and costs related to the off-gas treatment process are often
major factors when considering whether to apply SVE or MPE at a site. The off-gas treatment portion
of the SVE system can be either a minor or a significant portion of the remediation capital costs;
however, off-gas treatment is typically the most expensive portion of the system O&M costs.
2.3.2 Treatment System Operations
A typical SVE or MPE system can operate at a site for approximately six months to several years,
depending on the site, the system, and the remediation goals. Sites with the most stringent soil
cleanup criteria or with very large contaminant masses, however, may employ SVE systems for much
longer. Off-gas streams generated from site remediation systems are generally low- to medium-flow
streams containing dilute concentrations of VOCs. The vapor flow rates for most SVE systems
generally range from 100 to 1,500 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm). In comparison, industrial
vapor treatment applications, which can have many attributes similar to SVE off-gas treatment
applications, usually treat much greater volumes of air, can have flow rates of 100,000 scfm or more,
and address average concentrations of vapor contaminants much higher than those generated by
remedial treatment processes (Rafson 1998).
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Separation and recovery of chemicals present in the vapor streams of industrial processes may result
in economic benefit to the manufacturing operation by recycling recovered solvents or other materials
back into the manufacturing process. Contaminants recovered from site remediation activities rarely
can be reused or recycled for any significant economic benefit. SVE off-gas streams typically contain
a mixture of VOCs, do not have consistent influent VOC concentrations over time, and have high
water-vapor content. Based on these factors, distinctly different strategies may be used to treat off-
gases from site remediation versus industrial process systems.
2.4 Contaminant Sources and Off-Gas Characteristics
Numerous potential sources of contamination of soil and groundwater may require treatment by SVE
or MPE systems, including spills or leaks from USTs and aboveground storage tanks (AST). Other
major sources of contaminants treatable by these systems include the following industrial operations:
semiconductor, plastics, and adhesives manufacturing; metal fabrication shops; chemical blending
processes; and dry cleaning. Private and military landfills created from uncontrolled waste disposal
are also candidate sites for SVE treatment and methane collection through vapor extraction.
In general, chemicals that can be treated by SVE and MPE systems include halogenated and non-
halogenated VOCs, some semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC), and certain other polar and non-
polar organic compounds. Examples of these compounds include common chemical mixtures such as
gasoline, kerosene, jet fuels, and "lighter" fuel oils (such as No. 2 heating oil). Specific chemicals that
are treated using SVE include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), major components
of most fuels. Other VOCs include styrene, chlorobenzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachbride,
tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), dichloroethene (DCE), vinyl chloride, trichloroethane
(TCA), dichloroethane (DCA), ethylene dibromide, methylene chloride, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone
(MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).
VOCs can be released into the subsurface environment dissolved in water if (for example) the release
is from a wastewater stream. More typically, VOCs are released into the subsurface environment as
NAPLs. As the NAPL travels through the soil, residual "droplets" of NAPL are left in the pores of soil
and, if released in sufficient quantity, may form subsurface "pools." The NAPL will adsorb to soil,
dissolve into groundwater, or volatilize into soil gas, depending on the individual physical and chemical
properties of the NAPL and its interaction with the subsurface environment. The extent to which the
NAPL becomes distributed into these various subsurface environmental "compartments" governs the
subsequent behavior of the contaminants and the nature of the remediation system for off-gas
treatment.
Organic liquids that are less dense than water are called light nonaqueous-phase liquids (LNAPL), and
liquids more dense than water are called dense nonaqueous-phase liquids (DNAPL). This density
determines how the NAPL is distributed in the subsurface environment as the NAPL achieves
equilibrium after release. Most chlorinated VOCs (such as TCE) are DNAPLs, and most non-
chlorinated VOCs (such as benzene and fuel oil) are LNAPLs. At significant quantities, DNAPLs tend
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to sink through both unsaturated and saturated permeable soils until they reach the lowest point on the
top of a confining layer. LNAPLs sink through unsaturated permeable soils and will float on the water
table, migrating to the lowest water table elevation. Capillary forces can trap NAPLs in porous media
above or below the water table as the groundwater elevation changes over time.
The distribution of a contaminant after a release is also determined by complex interaction of the
chemical properties of the contaminant (such as solubility and volatility), the properties of the soil (such
as heterogeneity and permeability), and the quantity and duration of the release. Both chlorinated and
non-chlorinated VOCs have relatively high vapor pressures, which is the characteristic that governs the
extent to which they can be removed from soil as vapor. The vapor-phase concentrations of VOCs
extracted and the change in these concentrations over time varies significantly between sites,
depending on initial subsurface distribution and many chemical and soil properties. Despite a wide
variety of patterns of contaminant distribution, SVE and MPE systems commonly remove VOCs as
vapors that typically require additional treatment.
The nature of the off-gas streams from remediation systems is governed by distribution of the VOCs in
the subsurface. Some important site characteristics that significantly affect the off-gas streams and
subsequent selection of off-gas treatment technologies are listed below. These attributes may also
influence the overall remediation strategy for a site.
• Sites with a relatively small VOC mass in the vadose zone tend to have lower off-gas VOC
concentrations that decline rapidly.
• Sites with substantial quantities of residual NAPL in unsaturated soil will tend to have high
VOC off-gas concentrations for sustained periods of time. The concentration will only
significantly decline once the NAPL is removed. Substantial quantities of NAPL are more
common at petroleum release sites with LNAPL than at sites with chlorinated VOCs (for
example, DNAPL) contamination.
• Off-gas concentrations at sites where contamination is present in high-permeability, coarse-
grained soils (such as sand and gravels) will tend to decrease more rapidly than at sites with
less permeable soils because VOCs are more readily removed from permeable soils;
therefore, in high-permeability soil, the nature of the off-gas will tend to change more rapidly.
• The off-gas composition at a site where the release was a mixture (such as jet fuel) will change
over time as the more volatile compounds are more quickly "stripped" from the subsurface;
therefore, compounds that are the basis of selection of an off-gas treatment technology may
change during the progress of the remediation.
• MPE is often applied to sites that contain accessible pools of NAPL, either floating LNAPL or
DNAPL trapped above a confining layer (either above or below the water table). The high
vacuums applied to achieve MPE generally enhance the volatilization of VOCs entering the
extraction wells as liquid; therefore, off-gas streams from MPE systems tend to have high VOC
concentrations that remain high until the NAPL has been remediated.
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Physical and chemical properties of the chemical constituents in the SVE off-gas also influence the
selection of treatment technologies. Several general characteristics of SVE off-gas are summarized
below. Specific off-gas properties relevant to each technology are discussed in Sections 3.0 through
6.0.
• The relative humidity of off-gas is typically very close to 100 percent. Some technologies (such
as carbon adsorption) are less effective with high relative humidity, but others (such as
biofiltration) are effective at high relative humidity.
• Henry's law determines the extent of volatilization of a contaminant dissolved in water. The
higher the Henry's law constant for a given compound, the higher its concentration will be in
the extraction air stream.
• Vapor pressure governs the tendency of a solid or liquid to evaporate. Vapor pressure is the
force per unit area exerted by the vapor of the chemical in equilibrium with its solid or liquid
form. Vapor pressure is applicable when NAPL is present and increases with increasing
temperature.
• Boiling point indicates the temperature at which a compound's vapor pressure equals the
vapor pressure of the atmosphere, which at sea level is approximately 760 millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg). Inducing a vacuum in soil causes the pressure in the air-filled soil pores to
decrease, leading in turn to a lowering of the boiling point and an increase in volatilization of
the contaminant (USAGE 2002).
• The molecular weight of compounds impacts adsorption ability. Adsorbents have different
capacities for adsorbing different contaminants. Generally, high molecular weight
compounds will adsorb better than low molecular weight compounds.
• Compounds exhibit different lower explosive limit (LEL) concentrations in air. Compounds with
low LEL concentrations will require more dilution air to prevent explosive SVE air streams.
2.5 Regulatory Requirements
The requirements for application of SVE, MPE, and other systems for site remediation as well as the
requirements for control of vapor-phase discharges from these systems are based on applicable
regulations promulgated by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. These regulations generally
fall into the following three categories of requirements:
1. Control of off-gases to a best available control technology (BACT) standard (usually 95 percent
contaminant destruction standard)
2. Exemption for treatment of SVE off-gases due to acceptably small contaminant emission rates
(compared to industrial process emission rates)
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3. Need for treatment of off-gases based on site-specific considerations (risks), including the type
and concentration of contaminant(s) being treated and the distance to the nearest potentially
impacted receptor
At the federal level, the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act (CAA) introduced new requirements for
the control of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. These amendments identify 189 chemicals as
HAPs as well as several sources of HAP emissions. All sources of HAPs within each category must
be treated to a maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard defined for that specific
category. Many HAPs are likely to be extracted by SVE, MPE, and groundwater pump-and-treat
systems that use air strippers. In addition, site remediation has been identified as a source category
for HAP emissions. However, air emissions from site remediation regulated by rules established under
federal corrective authorities are exempt from the site remediation National Emission Standard for
Hazardous Air Pollutant (NESHAP). Cleanups conducted under State or voluntary cleanup programs
are not exempted, and therefore, may be subject to the site remediation NESHAP.
The emission rates observed at SVE and MPE remediation sites are generally much lower than the
rates defined under the MACT standards. The CAA stipulates that MACT standards apply when the
off-gas is emitted from a "major" source, one that has the potential to emit 10 tons per year or more of
a listed pollutant or 25 tons per year or more of a combination of pollutants. Although many of the
compounds extracted in a typical SVE remediation system may be HAPs, emission rates are typically
less than the 10- or 25-ton-per-year thresholds. For example, in order to meet the major source permit
10-ton-per-year threshold, a system treating 900 scfm of vapor would require a HAP concentration of
at least 1,000 parts per million (ppm) as methane after any control system.
U.S. EPA, a state, or local agency may implement the air toxics program for control of HAPs. The
CAA allows U.S. EPA to delegate authority to a state or local agency to implement an air toxics
program in lieu of the federal program. Many states have specified emission control equipment and
specific emission limits for sources emitting VOCs and other HAPs. State requirements are frequently
more stringent than federal requirements, and many states have regulations and standards not
addressed under federal regulations.
Some state agencies allow SVE-type systems to operate without off-gas treatment if the annual
discharge of individual compounds or total mass is below a set default value or if the system can be
shown to pose no significant risk to human health or the environment. Thus, regulations applicable to
SVE off-gas treatment can be site-specific. For example, the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP)
provides graphs that indicate when off-gas treatment is, and is not, required for five specific groups of
chemicals (such as gasoline). The criteria used for this distinction are chemical type, mass emission
rate, and distance to the nearest receptor; however, in all cases, the MCP requires that SVE systems
include an off-gas treatment component for the first 1,500 hours of operation to "guard against
transient discharge anomalies" that can occur during initial SVE system operation. This provision
reflects the observed phenomenon that SVE systems typically extract high concentrations of VOCs in
the early stages of operation, followed by a steep decline in VOC removal rates (Massachusetts
General Laws 1994).
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3.0 THERMAL TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES
Thermal treatment technologies destroy hydrocarbons in a vapor stream at elevated temperatures
(exceeding 600 °F) by combusting or oxidizing the hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. The
general chemical reaction for hydrocarbon oxidation is as follows:
HC + O2 + heat -> CO2 + H2O + heat (1)
where
HC = Hydrocarbon
O2 = Atmospheric oxygen
CO2 = Carbon dioxide
H2O = Water
Heat is required to achieve the necessary temperature for this reaction to occur; the required
temperature is a function of several factors, including the presence of a catalyst. The heat shown on
the right side of the equation represents the heat released by the reaction. Hydrocarbons in off-gas
from SVE and other environmental remediation systems are typically in the form of VOCs as described
in Section 2.0.
Thermal oxidation systems and ICEs are the two different types of thermal VOC treatment
technologies discussed in this section. Additional information about these technologies is presented in
the "Soil Vapor Extraction and Bioventing Engineer Manual" (USAGE 2002) and "Air Pollution Control
Cost Manual" (U.S. EPA 2002).
3.1 Thermal Oxidation
Thermal oxidation systems are commonly used to control VOC vapors generated from soil and
groundwater remediation systems as well as to treat a wide variety of vapor streams from chemical
processing, painting, printing, and pharmaceutical industrial sources. As of 1997, approximately 6,000
thermal oxidation systems were in operation worldwide and approximately 20 percent of these systems
were used for remediation (ENSR 2000a and b). A survey of Superfund sites from 1982 through 2002
shows that thermal treatment (primarily catalytic oxidation) was the selected technology for SVE off-
gas treatment for 25 percent of the 170 sites at which the type of off-gas treatment was reported (U.S.
EPA 2004). The Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR), a collaborative group of
government agencies involved in hazardous waste site cleanup, estimates that over 20 firms currently
manufacture catalytic oxidation systems specifically for remedial activities (FRTR 2004).
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
3.1.1 Technology Description
A thermal oxidation unit typically consists of a fan or blower to move VOC-laden air; a filter-mixer to
mix the VOC-laden air; a fan to supply combustion air; a combustion unit (reaction chamber) consisting
of a refractory-lined chamber and one or more burners; heat recovery equipment (heat exchanger);
and a stack for atmospheric discharge of the treated exhaust (Naval Facilities EEngineering Service
Center 2004). In some cases, post-oxidation treatment units are included. Figure 3-1 shows a
generalized flow diagram for a typical SVE off-gas thermal oxidation system.
Figure 3-1. Generalized Flow Diagram of Typical Thermal Oxidation System
SVE Off-Gas
Dilution Air
Discharge
Aux, Fuel
Reaction
Chamber]
Heat i.
Exchanger *
Post-Oxidation
Treatment
i i • » • a n.
SVE Off-Gas
Source: Modified from U.S. EPA 2002
Processes in dashed boxes are not applicable to all oxidation systems.
Three general types of thermal oxidation systems are available for controlling VOC emissions1:
• Direct-flame thermal oxidizers (DFTO)
• Flameless thermal oxidizers (FTO)
• Catalytic oxidizers (Cat-Ox)
Key variables within each type of thermal oxidation system include the following:
• Extent and type of heat recovery system
• Post-oxidation treatment requirements (such as scrubbing)
• Metallurgy requirements for equipment
• Utility energy cost and source (heat from electricity, propane, natural gas, or fuel oil)
1A fourth thermal treatment technology that is not strictly a thermal oxidation process is the ICE, which is discussed in
Section 3.2.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Each type of system operates somewhat differently, but all types destroy contaminants by raising the
temperature of the gas stream to a sufficient level to promote oxidation (or combustion) of
contaminants to carbon dioxide and water as shown in Equation (1). The VOCs in the off-gas act as a
fuel source for the oxidation reaction. If the VOC concentrations are relatively low, there may be
insufficient "fuel" to promote oxidation, and auxiliary fuel must be added (such as natural gas or "fuel
oil"). Sometimes the VOC concentrations are too high for the oxidation reaction to proceed safely, and
the off-gas must be diluted with ambient air.
High VOC concentrations are typically treated using non-catalytic thermal oxidation systems, and lower
VOC concentrations are often treated using Cat-Ox systems. DFTO and FTO non-catalytic thermal
oxidizers typically operate at 1,200 to 2,000 °F (Alley 1998), and Cat-Ox systems typically operate at
500 to 900 °F. If the off-gas contains sufficient concentrations of VOCs to sustain the high operating
temperatures, a catalyst is not needed. Where the off-gas VOC concentrations are relatively low, a
catalyst will lower the amount of auxiliary fuel that must be supplied to sustain the oxidation reaction,
and operational expenses will be reduced compared to a non-catalytic system.
In a complete oxidation reaction, VOCs are oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. If halogenated
compounds are present in the SVE off-gas (such as a chlorinated VOC like TCE), the resulting
combustion products can include acid gases (such as hydrochloric acid). The acid gases require
further treatment with an acid scrubber (for example, caustic solution to neutralize the acid) prior to
discharge. The efficiency of a thermal oxidation system is a function of "the three Ts": temperature,
time (residence time in the combustion zone), and turbulence (mixing of the VOCs and oxygen) as
discussed in Section 3.1.4.
The following sections discuss DFTOs, FTOs, Cat-Ox, hybrid thermal/Cat-Ox systems, and recovery of
heat generated during thermal oxidation.
3.1.1.1 Direct-Flame Thermal Oxidizers
The simplest type of thermal oxidizer is a DFTO system without heat recovery (no heat exchanger
following the combustion chamber). These systems are sometimes called "direct-fired thermal
oxidizers" or "afterburners" and do not use a catalyst. In a DFTO system, contaminated vapor from
SVE system off-gases enters a reaction chamber, where an open flame burns the vapors and
additional fuel. VOCs are oxidized as they are exposed to the necessary oxidation temperatures.
3.1.1.2 Flameless Thermal Oxidizers
Combustion in FTO systems occurs within a chemically inert, porous ceramic bed heated to oxidation
temperatures. In FTO systems, the mixing zone is where the fuel is pre-mixed with off-gas at the inlet
of the reactor before it passes through a pre-heated ceramic matrix, which heats the organic vapors
(Thermatrix 2005). Once the vapors reach oxidation temperature, they auto-ignite in the system's
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
reaction zone. The energy released by combustion heats the ceramic matrix of the mixing zone. If the
waste stream has sufficient energy content, then the system is self-sustaining after it reaches its
operating temperature. One vendor claims that VOC vapor streams with as little as 10 British thermal
units per cubic foot (BTU/cubic ft) can sustain the temperatures necessary for oxidation (Thermatrix
2005). Like DFTO systems, this approach does not use a catalyst to aid combustion. Figure 3-2
presents a schematic diagram of an FTO system.
Figure 3-2. Flameless Thermal Oxidizer System
n
fcj
Ceramic
Matrix
(J. -
! r > •
„>
^T^
* ^ c ^ *
>
/
\
I
l
•
i
n
••
•
n
•
1
fe^v-^
il[f^
voc J^1
Vapors
*
^"•v '"•»• ^ ,
ft. ^ ^
/
/
I
/
^
Preheating
Elements
Reaction
Zone
Heat
Path
Mixing
11 -1 — Zone
a
i-i
Pi Plenum
1 A 1
Hi voc
3 Vapors
^-*- Exhaust
7 = Temperature Sensor
Source: Thermatrix 2005
System operates with straight-through flow and no heat recovery
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
3.1.1.3 Catalytic Oxidizers
A Cat-Ox system uses a catalyst and heat to oxidize SVE off-gas contaminants. The catalyst enables
the oxidation reaction to occur at much lower temperatures than required by non-catalytic thermal
oxidation systems. Most Cat-Ox systems operate at 500 to 900 °F depending on the compound being
oxidized and the catalyst. The addition of a catalyst accelerates the rate of oxidation by adsorbing
oxygen and the contaminant on the catalyst surface, where they react to form carbon dioxide and
water. As with non-catalytic thermal oxidation systems, when chlorinated VOCs are present in the
contaminant off-gas stream, acid gas is produced.
The most common catalysts for VOC combustion are the noble metals platinum, palladium, and
rubidium. The metal is deposited on an aluminum oxide-coated ceramic or stainless steel substrate to
produce the monolith (or honeycomb) form of the catalyst. Other types of catalyst are base-metal
catalysts, such as chromium- or manganese-oxides. Base-metal catalysts are usually supplied in
pelletized form (Alley 1998). Metal oxide catalysts are typically used to treat vapor streams containing
chlorinated compounds (U.S. EPA 1991 a).
In a Cat-Ox system, the contaminated SVE off-gas stream is preheated prior to its interaction with the
catalyst. The off-gas stream then enters the catalytic chamber and is evenly distributed over the
catalytic beds. An exothermic combustion reaction takes place and the treated vapor (combustion
products and byproducts) is then discharged.
The primary advantage of Cat-Ox systems compared to other thermal oxidation systems is the lower
energy requirement resulting from lower oxidizing temperatures. Consequently, operating costs are
lower. Also, less costly metallurgy can be used in Cat-Ox systems than in non-catalytic oxidizers
because of the lower operating temperatures. In addition, the catalyst increases the rate of reaction,
which lowers the residence time of the contaminants in the reaction chamber and allows use of a
smaller reaction chamber than with non-catalytic systems to process the same flow rate.
3.1.1.4 Hybrid Thermal/Catalytic Oxidizer Systems
Because off-gas from SVE systems fluctuates in concentration over time, hybrid thermal/Cat-Ox
systems (also called hybrid systems) are designed to allow the SVE system to be operated at a higher
temperature without a catalyst (thermal mode) in the initial stages of an SVE project when the
extracted VOC contaminant concentrations are usually at their highest. When the VOC concentrations
in the SVE off-gas decrease, the hybrid system converts to operate as a Cat-Ox system. Many
vendors offer hybrid oxidizer systems. Figure 3-3 shows a typical hybrid system.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Figure 3-3. Hybrid Thermal/Catalytic Oxidizer System
Incoming
Contaminated
Air
Heat
Exchanger
(optional)
Flow
Meter
Burner
Exhaust
Clean Air Thermocouple
Catalyst
Thermocouple
Source: Anguil 2004
3.1.1.5 Heat Recovery
Thermal and Cat-Ox systems can be designed to reuse heat generated during combustion. Heat
recovery methods use either recuperative or regenerative heat exchangers to reuse heat energy,
reduce the residence time of the waste stream in the system, and reduce fuel costs. Heat recovery
can be applied to both catalytic and non-catalytic oxidation systems.
Recuperative Thermal Oxidizers
Figure 3-4 shows a recuperative thermal oxidizer. In these systems, combustion takes place, and then
the hot, treated vapor from the reaction or catalytic chamber is directed to a heat exchanger shell.
Incoming SVE off-gas flows through the tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger, and heat is
exchanged from the hot, treated vapor stream to the cool, incoming untreated vapor stream. The
streams do not mix. Because the influent stream is preheated in the heat exchanger, less fuel is
needed to bring the contaminated vapor up to oxidation temperature. Recuperative systems can
recover up to 70 percent of the heat of the reaction chamber effluent (U.S. EPA 2002); therefore, they
require substantially less energy than non-recuperative systems. When chlorinated solvents are
extracted, the design of recuperative heat exchangers generally limits flue gas cooling to avoid
condensing acid gases onto heat exchanger surfaces and minimize corrosion.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Figure 3-4. Recuperative Thermal Oxidizer
Reaction
Chamber
(hot)
Outlet (cool)
Contaminated
Air
(cool)
Flame
X
Heat Exchanger
Source: Rafson 1998
Cool off-gas enters the system and flows directly through the tubes of the heat exchanger for heating before entenng the reaction
chamber. The flame in the reaction chamber oxidizes the contaminants and generates a hot vapor stream that flows through the shell
of the heat exchanger to be cooled before discharge. The heat recovered in the heat exchanger is used to heat the incoming off-gas.
Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer
Regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO) use more complex and more efficient heat exchange systems
than recuperative systems to heat incoming SVE off-gas and promote the oxidation reaction. These
units consist of a series of beds of heat-resistant media (such as ceramic) that absorb energy from the
hot combustion product outlet gas. That energy is then used to preheat the incoming SVE off-gas.
Figure 3-5 shows a typical regenerative thermal oxidizer system. The inlet gas first passes through a
hot bed of ceramic transfer blocks that heats the stream to its ignition temperature (and cools the
bed). If the desired temperature is not attained, a small amount of auxiliary fuel is added in the
combustion chamber. The hot gases then react, releasing energy in the combustion chamber and
while passing through another bed of ceramic transfer blocks, thereby heating the second bed to the
combustion chamber outlet temperature. The process flows are then switched: now the inlet stream
is fed to the hot bed. This cyclic process affords very high energy recovery (up to 95 percent) and
may occur several times each hour (U.S. EPA 2002). It should be noted that complex controls and
large, high-temperature valves add to the capital cost of these types of systems. However, the lower
expense for energy can off-set these higher capital costs in some cases.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Figure 3-5. Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer
Source: Rafson 1998
Off-gas first passes through a hot bed of ceramic transfer blocks that heats the off-gas to its ignition temperature (and cools the
bed). The hot gases then react and release energy while passing through another bed of ceramic transfer blocks, which is heated
by the reaction. The process flows are then switched, and the incoming off-gas is fed to the hot bed.
3.1.2 Applicability
Thermal oxidizers are often chosen for their reliability in achieving high VOC DREs. Thermal
oxidizers are capable of treating waste streams containing a wide range of VOC concentrations if
sufficient oxygen is present. Generally, thermal oxidizers easily reach DREs higher than 99 percent
except for RTOs, which achieve somewhat lower DREs. Thermal oxidation is a dependable
treatment method when strict release standards must be achieved. In addition, thermal treatment
can produce a buoyant plume that disperses well in the atmosphere.
Target contaminant groups for SVE off-gas thermal oxidation include non-halogenated VOCs,
SVOCs, and fuel hydrocarbons (FRTR 2004). Specific classes of compounds readily destroyed in
thermal oxidizers include alcohols, aliphatics, aromatics, esters, and ketones. Halogenated VOCs
are also readily destroyed; however, post-treatment is often required (typically a caustic scrubbing
system) to capture acid gases formed by the oxidation of halogenated compounds. The type of
thermal oxidation system most appropriate for a specific site depends on the type(s) and
concentration(s) of contaminant(s); off-gas extraction flow rate; required DR.E; and the British
thermal unit (BTU) value of the contaminant streams to be treated.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
The influent concentration to a thermal oxidizer system is often expressed as the waste stream's BTU
content or a percentage of the treated contaminant stream's LEL. The LEL is defined as the minimum
concentration of a chemical vapor in atmospheric air (for example, 21 percent oxygen at 20 °C) that is
sufficient to support combustion ("burning"). For safety reasons, the influent concentrations to an
oxidizer are generally limited to a fraction of the LEL. Concentrations below the LEL can be obtained
by diluting the SVE off-gas with ambient air using an LEL detector to regulate the amount of ambient
air added. For SVE systems, influent concentrations are typically limited to 10 to 25 percent of the LEL
to ensure safe operation. In industrial settings where the influent concentrations are more predictable,
thermal oxidation systems are often safely operated at higher fractions of the LEL, sometimes higher
than 50 percent of the LEL. It is important to recognize that different gases have different LELs. Table
3-1 lists LELs (presented as percent-of-gas-in-air) for an assortment of hydrocarbons commonly
extracted by SVE systems.
Table 3-1. Lower Explosive Limits for Selected Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbon
Methane
Ethane
Propane
n-Butane
n-Pentane
n-Hexane
Benzene
LEL in Air (%)a
5.0
3.0
2.1
1.6
1.5
1.1
1.2
Hydrocarbon
Gasoline
Acetone
Methanol
Toluene
m- and p-Xylenes
1 ,4-Dioxane
Methyl ethyl ketone
LEL in Air (%)a
1.4
2.5
6.0
1.1
1.1
2.0
1.4
Source: NIOSH 2005, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers 1999
Notes:
LEL = Lower explosive limit
ppmv = Part per million by volume
a One percent (%) in air is equivalent to 10,000 ppmv. For example, the LEL for methane can also be expressed as 50,000
ppmv.
As described above, the thermal oxidation system selection process for a remediation site is affected
by a number of important factors. Some generalizations can be made for when each type of system is
most appropriate; however, almost all SVE off-gases can be treated using the different thermal
oxidation systems discussed. In general, DFTO systems are best suited for low-flow, high-BTU, and
high-VOC concentration SVE off-gases (such as vapors extracted from a recent gas station release).
In contrast, FTOs are most often used for high-flow, low-BTU, and low-VOC concentration off-gas
streams (such as industrial sites with historic solvent contamination). Cat-Ox systems are used for
both low- and high-flow rates, with relatively low-BTU and low-VOC concentration streams. These
generalizations are somewhat different for remediation systems (in which flow rates range from 100 to
1,500 scfm) than for industrial systems, which typically have higher flow rates of up to 100,000 scfm.
The higher flow-rate industrial off-gas streams are generally treated using non-catalytic oxidation
systems.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
The likelihood that influent VOC concentrations to the thermal treatment system will decrease over
time, thereby affecting both cost to operate and achievable DREs, is an important consideration for
SVE off-gas application selection. This consideration must be accounted for in the engineering and
economic analysis to select both thermal treatment as well as the specific type of thermal treatment
system. For this reason, some practitioners choose hybrid thermal treatment systems that can be
readily converted from thermal to Cat-Ox mode.
Also, because thermal oxidizers treat relatively small off-gas flow rates generated by most SVE
systems and are in use for a limited period of time (usually less than 5 years), many SVE practitioners
manage the challenge of decreasing concentrations by employing a mobile system. For example, a
portable, skid-mounted RTO system can be used during initial treatment when concentrations are
highest. Then, depending on the expected rate of decrease in VOC concentrations over time, the
regenerative system can be removed and replaced by a portable Cat-Ox or other treatment system.
Another option is to rent a thermal treatment unit to treat higher concentrations and then switch to a
more permanent treatment system (such as carbon adsorption) once concentrations have decreased.
3.1.3 Limitations
Thermal oxidation is a mature technology that has been successfully implemented at many sites. It is
a robust and well understood technology and thus readily implemented at SVE sites. Nevertheless,
there are some technical and logistical limitations to using thermal oxidation. A significant limitation of
thermal oxidation for treating SVE off-gas is the comparatively high capital expense as well as the
often high cost for energy to heat the incoming SVE off-gas. For example, compared to the use of
activated carbon for treating off-gas, the cost of auxiliary fuel (utility costs) can often exceed the cost of
carbon replacement, making thermal oxidation cost-prohibitive.
There are also environmental regulatory concerns about using thermal oxidizers. Although thermal
oxidizers are capable of treating waste streams containing virtually any VOC concentrations,
incomplete combustion will occur if sufficient oxygen is not present or if the "three Ts" are not
adequately addressed (temperature, time, and turbulence; see Section 3.1.4). Other potential
limitations include community acceptance and ability to obtain the necessary permits for operation.
The oxidation process can result in treated vapor streams that contain undesirable byproducts.
Generally, there are two classes of oxidation byproducts: products of complete combustion (PCC) and
PICs. The PCCs are carbon dioxide and water. These compounds are innocuous and can be
discharged directly to the atmosphere. Other compounds generated can include nitrogen oxides (NOX)
and/or sulfur oxides (SOX) (if sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide are extracted from the
subsurface); however, these compounds are not typically formed during SVE off-gas treatment using
thermal oxidizers. At sites where chlorinated or fluorinated hydrocarbons are present in the off-gas,
hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid gases may be produced from combustion. The acid gas produced
can generally be treated using a mild caustic scrubbing solution following oxidation, although metal
compatibility must be considered during equipment selection. For example, the presence of these
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems. State of the Practice
compounds requires specialty steel, which greatly increases the capital cost for the system and makes
heat recovery less cost-effective or even impractical. Hastelloy® is one example of a common upgrade
material used when acid gases are produced.
PICs are undesirable and include untreated VOCs, carbon monoxide, and toxic compounds, such as
polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), collectively
referred to as PCDD/Fs (see Section 3.1.6 for additional information). The presence of significant
concentrations of PICs often results from thermal oxidation systems that are not operated properly.
Proper operation of the thermal oxidizer or additional vapor treatment should assist in minimizing the
production of PICs.
Cat-Ox systems require more maintenance than non-catalytic thermal systems. An operating problem
associated with Cat-Ox systems is their vulnerability to chemicals and/or particulate matter that
"poison" the surface of the catalyst. Poisons mask active sites or change the selectivity of the catalyst
for particular reactions or reaction types. Poisons can also deactivate the catalyst by physically
preventing interaction of VOCs and the catalyst. Compounds poisonous to catalysts include halogens;
metals; and silicon-, phosphorus-, or sulfur-containing compounds. Catalysts can also be deactivated
if the vapor stream becomes too hot, either chemically or physically altering the catalyst. Deactivated
catalysts must be regenerated or disposed and replaced.
Certain aliphatic compounds, such as propane, ethane, and methane, combust at higher temperatures
(more than 900 °F) than typical for Cat-Ox systems (Rafson 1998). To heat the waste stream to
sufficient temperatures to destroy these compounds would risk thermally deactivating the catalyst. In
addition, energy costs to heat the waste stream to such temperatures could render the technology
uneconomical. Thorough characterization of the vapor stream is required to ensure that the catalyst is
compatible with the contaminants.
Finally, thermal oxidizers are generally more complex to start up and operate than carbon treatment
systems and require more maintenance. More operator training is typically required than for
adsorption systems to address safety considerations, management of auxiliary fuel, and other system
issues. When an SVE system is first turned on, the extracted vapor concentrations often exceed 10 to
25 percent of the LEL for the SVE off-gas mixture, particularly at fuel release sites. Consequently, a
trained operator is necessary to ensure that sufficient clean ambient air (often termed "dilution air") is
added to the extracted vapor stream to maintain the oxidizer influent vapor concentrations at safe
levels. As the extracted vapor concentrations decrease, less dilution air is necessary, until eventually
none is needed.
3.1.4 Performance
Thermal oxidation systems are robust and can treat a broad range of SVE off-gas streams. The
systems can be designed to oxidize 95 percent to greater than 99 percent of the influent VOCs,
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
independent of the mass of contaminants entering the oxidizer (sometimes referred to as the "mass
loading").
RTOs have somewhat lower efficiencies because of the alternating flow between beds; however, a
survey of four systems showed DREs ranging from 98 to 99.8 percent for low-concentration inlet
streams of less than 100 parts per million by volume (ppmv) (U.S. EPA 1995b). According to
Neumann (1997), catalytic systems are designed to achieve DREs from 90 to 98 percent. U.S. EPA
(1995b) reported DREs ranging from 72 to 99.6 percent for several sites where Cat-Ox was being
used. Lower DREs were generally seen at sites where higher concentrations of chlorinated
hydrocarbons were present.
The performance of a thermal oxidation system is largely defined by the DRE, and ORE depends
primarily on three essential factors (the "three Ts"):
1. Temperature - achieving and maintaining the required oxidation temperature
2. Time - allowing sufficient residence time for the reaction to occur
3. Turbulence - ensuring sufficient reactant mixing
To improve performance and increase the DRE, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the
reaction, increase the residence time, or increase both. Increasing the residence time generally
requires reducing flow (extraction) rates, which would in turn increase the duration of remediation.
Thus, to avoid reducing extraction rates, it is generally necessary to raise the system temperature to
achieve higher DREs. Similarly, to address fluctuations in concentrations and coimposition of off-gas
streams, the oxidation temperature is the easiest operating parameter to adjust to achieve the desired
DRE. The operating temperature of the unit can be adjusted by changing the amount of heat added to
the system. For DFTO and FTO systems, the flow of auxiliary fuel to the combustion chamber or
reaction zone can be adjusted. For Cat-Ox systems, the amount of time the waste stream is
preheated prior to entering the catalyst bed can be adjusted.
Table 3-2 lists the theoretical non-catalytic oxidation temperatures for select VOCs required for 99
percent DRE for residence times of 0.5, 1, and 2 seconds. The chlorinated compounds in this table
require significantly higher temperatures for oxidation. It is important to note that the oxidation
temperatures listed are idealized values. Because most waste streams contain mixtures of VOCs, the
actual oxidation temperatures required will vary and usually can only be determined after system start-
up. Field test data show that non-catalytic thermal oxidizers should generally be run at a temperature
of approximately 1,600 °F and with a residence time of at least 0.75 second to ensure a 98 percent
DRE for non-halogenated VOCs (U.S. EPA 1995b). Temperatures of near 2,000 °F are required for
waste streams containing chlorinated VOCs.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Table 3-2. Required Oxidation Temperatures to Achieve 99% Destruction and Removal
Efficiencies for Select Compounds
Compound
Acetic anhydride
Acetonitrile
Acrylonitrile
Aniline
Azomethane
Benzene
Butene
Carbon tetrachloride
Chloroform
Dichlorobenzene
Dichloromethane
Ethane
Ethyl chlorocarbonate
Ethyl nitrile
Ethyl peroxide
Ethylene dibutyrate
Ethylidene dichloride
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutane
Hexachloroethane
Methane
Methyl iodide
Monochlorobenzene
Nitrobenzene
Paracetaldehyde
Pentachlorobiphenyl
Propylene oxide
Pyridine
Tetrachlorobezene
Tetrachloroethene
Toluene
Trichlobenzene
Trichloroethane
Vinyl chloride
Theoretical Combustion Temperature ( F)
Residence Time of
0.5 Second
805
1,997
2,056
1,440
892
1,622
1,708
1,987
1,262
1,668
1,602
1,994
1,028
692
463
985
1,341
1,802
1,553
1,438
1,822
1,034
2,028
1,355
796
1,404
1,312
2,041
1,895
2,062
1,379
1,653
1,336
1,415
Residence Time of
1.0 Second
771
1,887
1,909
1,402
866
1,538
1,653
1,822
1,217
1,583
1,553
1,816
972
666
442
938
1,293
1,711
1,502
1,347
1,742
966
1,838
1,316
770
1,367
1,272
1,856
1,761
1,922
1,334
1,567
1,262
1,373
Residence Time of
2.0 Seconds
738
1,786
1,778
1,366
841
1,461
1,600
1,679
1,174
1,504
1,506
1,662
920
641
423
894
1,246
1,626
1,453
1,265
1,667
959
1,675
1,279
744
1,331
1,233
1,697
1,642
1,798
1,292
1,487
1,194
1,334
Source: Alley 1998
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
3.1.5 Engineering Considerations
Engineering considerations include design issues and operating issues as discussed below.
3.1.5.1 Design Issues
The proper size for a thermal oxidation system is governed by several factors. The required
performance of the system is largely defined by the DREs required. The DREs achieved depend
primarily on the "three Ts" (temperature, time, and turbulence). Temperature can be adjusted in the
field, but the size of the combustion chamber impacts residence time and is designed by the
manufacturer. Thermal treatment systems should be designed so that the required combination of
temperature, residence time, and turbulence can be achieved under all expected flow and
concentration conditions; however, if insufficient time or attention is devoted to adequate system
design, then thermal oxidizer systems can fail and, in some cases, equipment can catch fire or melt.
Most thermal oxidizers used for industrial processes have a life expectancy of approximately 20 years
(ENSR 2000b). Because SVE remediation systems typically operate for 5 years or less, owners and
operators of thermal oxidation systems will often move the systems after completing treatment at each
site. The most common heat recovery technique for SVE off-gas treatment is to use hot exhaust gas
from the combustion chamber to preheat the cooler incoming vapor stream; however, thermal
oxidizers for SVE systems can be integrated into operating facilities that may have other desirable
uses for the recovered heat (such as to heat boilers). Heat recovery systems can range from simple
shell-and-tube heat exchangers to complex systems of ceramic beds with sophisticated controls and
valves. In general, the greater the degree of heat recovery, the greater the capital cost and the more
complex the system. The cost of heat recovery can be a significant portion of the overall installed cost
of the thermal treatment system. The benefits of heat recovery (lower energy costs and ancillary use
of recovered heat) must be weighed against the capital cost for the heat recovery system.
For most SVE applications, when the system is not integrated into an operating facility (such as a
chemical plant, oil refinery, or manufacturing facility), there are no practical applications for facility
reuse of recovered heat. In these cases, the capital cost of heat recovery must be weighed against the
cost savings in decreased energy required to heat SVE off-gases in the thermal treatment system.
The PCCs for VOCs are carbon dioxide and water. When chlorinated or fluorinated hydrocarbons are
present in the waste stream, hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid gas may be produced by combustion.
The acid gas produced can be treated using a mild caustic scrubbing solution before the treated vapor
stream is discharged to the atmosphere; however, the presence of these compounds requires
specialty steel for construction, which greatly increases capital costs. This requirement for special
materials resulting from the need to treat acid gases also makes heat recovery much less cost-
effective or sometimes even impractical when such contaminants are present.
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3.1.5.2 Operating Issues
Thermal oxidation systems are successful at treating most SVE off-gases if the proper temperature,
residence time, and turbulence are maintained. Optimization of these parameters is usually not
difficult, and thermal oxidation systems often require only minimal maintenance after start-up; however,
if thermal oxidation systems are not properly operated, they can form PICs, including PCCD/Fs (see
Section 3.1.6).
Cat-Ox systems are also able to maintain high DREs, but these systems typically require more
maintenance and are more sensitive to changing VOC concentrations and process conditions than
non-catalytic thermal oxidation systems. In addition, the potential for catalyst deactivation is a major
concern. Recent generations of catalysts have much longer lives and greater poison resistance than
their predecessors, and have greater capabilities, including the destruction of chlorinated organic
materials (ICAC 2005). A catalyst bed should last for approximately 5 years of continuous operation
(Rafson 1998). Catalyst life may exceed 5 years with proper washing and regeneration techniques.
Proper mixing of the waste stream with oxygen (turbulence) is a critical factor in achieving and
maintaining thermal oxidation DREs. The theoretical oxygen requirement for complete oxidation of a
given compound can be determined stochiometrically from Equation (1) in Section 3.0. If the SVE off-
gas stream does not contain sufficient oxygen and additional oxygen is required for complete
oxidation, then ambient air can be mixed with the SVE off-gas before the gas enters the combustion
chamber. In the early stages of operation of an SVE system, free product and VOC-saturated soils
can be present. During this period, the oxygen content of the extracted vapors is often relatively low
and the VOC concentrations are relatively high. Under these conditions, addition of ambient air will
improve the DREs of the thermal oxidizer (both catalytic and non-catalytic). Further, the maximum
desired influent vapor concentration is typically 10 to 25 percent of the LEL (see Section 3.1.2). For
both of these reasons, substantial dilution air is often required in the initial stages of system operation.
3.1.6 Residuals Management
Residuals associated with thermal oxidation systems include PCCs and PICs. Their management is
discussed below. Cat-Ox systems have an additional residual management concern, which includes
the disposal of spent catalysts.
3.1.6.1 Products of Complete Combustion
The high operating temperatures of thermal oxidizers can cause the formation of undesirable
byproducts that require additional treatment. High temperatures are conducive to the production of the
NOx gases, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. Nitric oxide forms at temperatures above 1,300 °F when
molecular nitrogen (from the air) and oxygen react as follows:
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N2 + O2 <-» 2ND (2)
Nitric oxide and oxygen can react at cooler temperatures, generally below 1,300"F, to form nitrogen
dioxide as follows:
NO + Y* O2 <-> NO2 (3)
NOX gases initiate the formation of photochemical smog, and at high atmospheric levels trigger
respiratory-related health problems. NOX gases are not commonly produced from SVE applications;
however, significant NOX can be formed from VOCs that contain nitrogen. Because of the relatively
low volume of SVE off-gases treated by thermal oxidation, the contribution of NOX to atmospheric
levels is relatively small compared to other combustion sources. SOX could similarly be formed during
SVE off-gas treatment if sufficient sulfur-containing compounds are present and sufficiently high
temperatures; however, suitable conditions for SOX formation are extremely rare or non-existent during
SVE off-gas treatment.
3.1.6.2 Products of Incomplete Combustion
The most common PIC generated by thermal oxidation is carbon monoxide (CO). PCDD/Fs may also
be formed as PICs, and the concern over their potential formation has become a limitation for using
thermal oxidizers at some sites. To minimize the formation of PICs, most commercial thermal
oxidation systems are designed to have sufficient fuel/air mixing processes and operate at high
temperatures (U.S. EPA 1997b).
U.S. EPA (2003) describes three primary scenarios for the formation of PCDD/Fs during combustion
processes:
1. Incomplete destruction of PCDD/Fs present in the source materials during combustion
2. Formation of PCDD/Fs during combustion from precursor compounds, which can be
chlorinated aromatic ("ringed") hydrocarbons that may be structurally similar to PCDD/Fs
3. Formation of PCDD/Fs from simple organic compounds in the ductwork downstream of the
combustion chamber as the treated gas stream is cooled (referred to as "de novo synthesis")
Dioxin formation is catalyzed by the following additional conditions (Alley 1998; U.S. EPA 1996):
• Temperatures between 480 and 840 °F (they showed the highest concentrations of PCDD/F);
• The presence of particulate matter in the waste gas that contains a metal as an element oxide
or other compound; or
• A transition metal catalyst (such as copper, iron, zinc, nickel, manganese, chromium, titanium,
or vanadium) in the gas phase.
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PCDD/F formation has long been a concern in municipal refuse incineration, where parameters that
promote their formation are often ideal. Incinerators, including industrial, municipal, and stationary
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste incinerators, may process
materials containing PCDD/Fs. By improving combustion efficiencies that reduce PIC formation, these
incinerators have been able to reduce emissions to acceptable levels (Alley 1998).
Incomplete combustion is generally due to inadequate air (oxygen), mixing, and/or temperature
conditions to support the complete destruction of PCDD/Fs during combustion. Processing of
chlorinated or fluorinated compounds at these incinerators can form PCDD/F precursors with
temperatures at about 930 °F. This temperature range can occur for fairly long periods in refuse
incinerator heat recovery systems, where high-pressure steam generation is common. In addition,
gases within these incinerators typically have significant time after combustion in the so-called de novo
temperature range (between 480 to 840 °F). This temperature range is typical in refuse incinerator
semi-dry scrubbing units. Refuse incinerators also have the necessary particulate matter for de novo
synthesis. These incinerators produce a substantial amount of particulate matter containing very high
concentrations of heavy metals. The combustion flue gases can contact these particulates and
catalyze PCDD/F formation reactions. Additional information about PCDD/F formation is presented in
U.S. EPA's "The Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the
United States: The Year 2000 Update" (U.S. EPA 2005b).
Although there are well-documented reports of PCDD/F emissions from refuse incinerators as well as
a variety of chemical and manufacturing industry sources, data for SVE off-gas thermal oxidizers are
limited (U.S. EPA 2003). The limited data available are summarized below for potential PCDD/F
formation as a result of thermal oxidation of SVE off-gases for the three primary scenarios listed
previously.
Scenario 1 - Because SVE systems are not used typically to treat sites where PCDD/F contamination
is present, this scenario is not probable. Limited measurements of PCDD/F emissions from thermal
oxidizers used to treat SVE off-gases indicate that when aromatic compounds are present in the SVE
off-gases (either extracted from the ground or from ambient dilution air), they are destroyed within the
oxidizer (Hart 2004).
Scenario 2 - This scenario is not likely at most SVE sites because the most common compounds
considered precursors of PCDD/Fs are chlorobenzenes, chlorophenols, and polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB), which are not frequently present at sites remediated using SVE (U.S. EPA 2003). Of these
compounds, only the lower molecular weight compounds, including mono-chlorobenzene, phenol, and
possibly dichlorobenzene, are sufficiently volatile to be extracted by an SVE system. In addition,
thermal oxidation for SVE systems operating at 930 °F lasts a very short period when flue gas
quenching is applied and a relatively short period when heat recovery systems are used.
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Scenario 3 - Chlorinated VOCs commonly observed at SVE remediation sites are chlorinated
aliphatics, such as chloroethanes and chloroethenes. These compounds are not typically identified as
precursors for PCDD/F formation, but they may be candidates for source material for de novo
synthesis. This scenario is the most likely mechanism for PCDD/F formation for SVE systems using
thermal treatment units (Hart 2004). However, design temperatures and residence times can be
increased to limit PIC formation when chlorinated compounds are combusted. Also, wet scrubbing
systems are generally used when chlorinated VOCs are combusted. These systems operate below
200 °F, rapidly cooling combustion gases below the de novo synthesis temperature range and
minimizing dioxin formation potential.
3.1.7 Cost and Economics
Thermal treatment is generally the most cost-effective remedial technology for SVE off-gas treatment
when high VOC concentrations are involved, and this technology offers the advantage of permanent,
efficient contaminant destruction within a relatively short time-frame. The costs to design, build, install,
and operate thermal treatment systems for SVE off-gases are driven by several factors, including the
expected waste stream flow rate, waste stream composition and changes in composition over time
(which impacts metallurgy and post-combustion treatment requirements), the degree of heat recovery,
and the required ORE.
It is difficult to compare costs for different thermal treatment systems because of the large cost impact
of key site-specific variables (such as degree of heat exchange, type and cost of energy available, and
concentrations and types of contaminants treated). Standard cost curves depicting cost versus
capacity are generally not available for these reasons, and costs are quoted on a site-specific, case-
by-case basis; however, some cost guidelines based on case studies are provided for both capital and
operating costs.
3.1.7.1 Capital Cost
Capital costs include the design, procurement, construction, and installation costs for the thermal
treatment system. Key variables that influence capital costs include the following:
• SVE off-gas flow rate and composition
• Presence or absence of a catalyst
• Degree of heat recovery desired
• Requirements for management of residuals (post-thermal treatment requirements)
• Expected life (and reuse) of the equipment
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A key management tool for capital cost control is flexibility - the portability of the system for use at
other SVE off-gas treatment sites (or for other remediation applications, such as treatment of vapors by
an air stripper) will allow some capital costs to be shared by various users.
The FRTR estimates the following capital equipment costs for a range of thermal oxidation unit sizes.
Equipment costs range from $20,000 for a 100-scfm unit, $100,000 for a 500-scfm unit, and $200,000
for a 2,000-scfm unit (FRTR 2004). Actual capital costs can vary substantially from these estimates,
depending on the variables described above. The case studies summarized below provide some
insight into the capital costs for specific site conditions.
Case Study 1: An electric-powered Cat-Ox system was used for five years to treat off-gas from an
SVE system in Massachusetts. The main contaminant of concern was toluene. Electricity rather than
natural gas was selected for supplemental heat energy because of availability issues and ease of use.
The Cat-Ox system had a capacity 300 scfm, a process catalytic temperature of 630 °F and a 65
percent effective air-to-air heat exchanger. The cost to purchase the oxidizer was $42,000, and the
installation cost was $6,000 (ENSR 2004c).
Case Study 2: A natural gas-fueled thermal oxidizer (non-catalytic) was used for one year for an SVE
system at an active retail petroleum station in California. The main contaminant in the SVE off-gas
was gasoline. The specification for the oxidizer included a capacity rating of 300 scfm, a combustion
chamber process temperature of 1,460 °F and no heat recovery (no heat exchanger). The cost to
purchase the oxidizer was $32,000, and the installation cost was $8,000. The salvage value of the
oxidizer after 1 year was about half its original purchase price (ENSR 2004c).
Case Study 3: A natural gas-fueled Cat-Ox system was installed to treat PCE vapors from an SVE
system. The design flow rate was 500 scfm. A polyvinyl chloride scrubber was included to treat acid
gases from the oxidizer, and there was no heat recovery system. The purchase price was
approximately $250,000, including the scrubber. The ORE for the system was increased from 91
percent at the start to 99 percent over the first 7 months by adding additional ceramic heat recovery
elements, effectively increasing the reaction temperature without increasing utility fuel consumption
(ENSR 2004c).
3.1.7.2 Operating Cost
Operating cost is the cost to implement the system once it is installed. Key variables that influence
operating cost include the type, price, and amount of energy required (most common are electric,
propane, and natural gas); the extent of safety systems incorporated into the thermal treatment unit
(which can, for example, influence the amount of energy required if off-gas stream dilution is required
for safety reasons); the level of O&M required; and, for Cat-Ox systems, the cost of maintaining,
disposing of, and replacing catalyst. It is important to consider operating costs during SVE off-gas
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treatment analysis and selection because these are often the predominant costs over the lifetime of the
SVE application.
Typically, the annual energy cost for a Cat-Ox system operating at 100 to 200 scfm ranges from $20 to
$40 per scfm for natural gas- or propane-fired systems and from $50 to $100 per scfm for electrically
heated systems. Natural gas costs to run a 100-scfm oxidizer will generally range from $2,000 to
$4,000 per year, and the energy costs for the same system using electricity for supplemental heat
would cost $5,000 to $10,000 per year. For gasoline and petroleum compounds, higher contaminant
concentrations would result in lower fuel use and therefore lower annual operating costs (ENSR
2004c).
Energy costs can also be expressed on a daily basis. Typical daily energy costs for a Cat-Ox system
alone operating at 100 to 200 scfm may range from $8 to $15 per day (for natural gas or propane-fired
systems) and $20 to $40 per day (for electrically heated systems). A 100-scfm oxidizer operating for
250 days per year will therefore generally entail $2,000 to $5,000 of annual energy costs, depending
on whether natural gas or electricity is used for supplemental fuel (ENSR 2004c). In addition, energy
costs will fluctuate with market conditions.
The case studies summarized below provide some insight into the operating costs for site-specific site
conditions.
For Case Study 1 discussed in Section 3.1.7.1 above, the typical off-gas flow rate was 250 scfm, with a
maximum contaminant rate of 22 pounds per day (260 ppmv toluene). The remediation system ran
approximately 70 percent of any year because of seasonal high water tables and winter weather.
Electric utility rates were 6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (not including monthly service charges). A total
mass of 10,000 pounds of contaminant was destroyed over the life of the remediation project. The
daily electrical cost for running the oxidizer was between $35 per day for near-zero concentrations in
the off-gas to $25 per day for the highest concentrations of contaminants in the off-gas. The total
electricity cost for the oxidizer over 5 years was $42,000 (ENSR 2004c).
For Case Study 2 discussed in Section 3.1.7.1 above, the typical extracted flow from the subsurface
was 230 scfm, with a maximum contaminant extraction rate of 130 pounds per day (1,600 ppmv) for
several weeks. One year later, the concentrations fell below 10 pounds per day, at which time the
oxidizer was replaced with an activated carbon system. During the year of operation, the oxidizer
destroyed 16,000 pounds of gasoline vapor. The fuel cost for the oxidizer over the year was $48,000,
or an average cost of approximately $130 per day. If the oxidizer had used electricity for heating the
off-gas, the average daily cost would have been $350 per day (at an electricity cost of 6.5 cents per
kilowatt-hour) (ENSR 2004c).
For Case Study 3 discussed in Section 3.1.7.1 above, natural gas consumption was approximately
$190 per day ($69,000 per year) at an equivalent fuel cost of 6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (ENSR
2004c).
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
3.1.8 Developmental Status
Thermal oxidation is a well established, effective, and frequently cost-competitive treatment technology
for SVE off-gases. Research and development for thermal oxidation are primarily focused on
technology refinements.
There are many vendors of thermal oxidation systems, although not all vendors supply systems for use
in SVE off-gas treatment. An example of a Web site that contains information on treatment technology
vendors is http://www.cluin.org/vendor.
Additional information and case studies are also available on the FRTR Web site at the following
address, http://www.frtr.gov/matrix2/section3/sec3 int.html.
Often the vendors differ in the ancillary equipment offered in a package (for example, heat exchangers,
concentrators, post-oxidation treatment systems, and control systems). For SVE applications,
portability is a key factor, and packages on skids and trailers are readily available.
3.2 Internal Combustion Engines
The ICE is a thermal treatment technology used to treat SVE off-gases extracted from petroleum-
contaminated sites. ICEs are most effective in controlling emissions when high VOC concentrations
are present in the SVE off-gas. These systems are primarily used for tank degassing operations in the
initial stage of SVE operation and at gas station sites with substantial amounts of "floating" or residual
NAPLs present in unsaturated soil.
The use of an ICE to treat contaminated off-gases can provide site-specific advantages. The
contaminated off-gas stream is mixed in the carburetor of the engine with air and, if necessary,
additional fuel, which is then combusted normally in the engine. The advantages of using an ICE for
destruction of VOCs in contaminated off-gas streams include simplicity of operation, production of
useful mechanical energy from the engine that can be used to extract the vapors from the wells (no
additional blower or pump needed), relatively high DREs, and the ability to operate at very high influent
conditions throughout the explosive range of the contaminants. Numerous standard fuels, including
natural gas and propane, can provide the auxiliary fuel used in the engine. This technology is normally
not used to treat chlorinated VOC compounds unless they are co-mingled with petroleum VOCs. The
commercial vendor Remediation Services, International (RSI, formerly VR Systems Inc.), estimates
that 200 to 300 ICE systems are currently being used to treat SVE off-gases (ENSR 2004a). A survey
of Superfund sites from 1982 through 2002 shows that thermal treatment using ICE technology was
selected for SVE off-gas treatment in only 1 percent of more than 170 sites listed with off-gas
treatment (U.S. EPA 2004).
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3.2.1 Technology Description
Currently, RSI is the only commercial vendor of ICE remediation equipment. This company
manufactures three system sizes to handle SVE off-gas flow rates from 65 to 500 cubic feet per minute
(cfm) and to produce vacuums of up to 18 inches of mercury. Figure 3-6 shows a picture of a
representative ICE system.
The systems manufactured by RSI are Ford® gasoline-powered engines. Hydrocarbon vapors
extracted from the subsurface by SVE are combusted as fuel to run the ICE. The ICE provides a
method for treating SVE off-gases and also can generate the vacuum required for vapor extraction
from the subsurface; however, the achievable vacuum may not be sufficient for all applications. The
exhaust gases from the ICE can be passed through a standard automobile catalytic converter for
complete oxidation or activated carbon before discharge to the atmosphere. Depending on the
concentration and BTU value of the influent off-gas stream, supplemental fuel such as propane or
natural gas may be used to maintain smooth operation of the engine because hydrocarbon
concentrations may fluctuate during SVE system operation (RSI 2005).
Figure 3-6. Internal Combustion Engine Remediation System
Source: RSI 2005
3.2.2 Applicability
The main factors in determining the applicability of ICE for a particular site are the contaminant's
chemical characteristics, the anticipated influent off-gas concentration, and the permeability of the soil
being treated. ICE systems are used only to treat non-chlorinated VOCs and are becoming more
common at MPE sites where free-product recovery is being conducted. ICE is most effective at
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treating high concentrations of VOCs in off-gases (typically 3,000 ppmv or greater). Off-gas with low
contaminant concentrations (less than 1,000 ppmv) may not be suited for ICE technology.
The combustion of halogenated VOCs produces corrosive gases that can destroy engine components
and the catalytic converter. Most ICE systems can handle influent vapor concentrations well above the
LEL (for example, about 1 percent for gasoline in air) and even approaching the upper explosive limit
(DEL) (for example, about 7 or 8 percent for gasoline in air). If the sites soils have very low
permeability (an intrinsic permeability less than 10~10 square centimeters), then the 18 inches of
mercury vacuum provided by the ICE intake may not be sufficient for SVE operation; however, the ICE
can generate power for a separate, high-vacuum SVE blower to treat lower permeability soils and still
provide treatment of the extracted vapors (RSI 2005). ICE units are self-contained, requiring no
outside power source. This feature is particularly useful in areas where electric power is not readily or
economically available.
3.2.3 Limitations
As previously discussed, ICEs are not capable of treating halogenated VOCs. Other limitations are
listed below (AFCEE 1998; Archabal and Downey 1994).
• Relative humidity should be less than 95 percent. High humidity vapors may condense
following a decrease in temperature or an increase in pressure. Condensation can reduce the
efficiency of off-gas treatment and degrade system components. An air-water separator can
be added to minimize condensation.
• ICEs often have limited warranties. A demonstration project by the Air Force Center for
Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) found that an ICE used for SVE off-gas treatment can last
15,000 hours with factory-recommended maintenance (equivalent to 1.7 years of continuous
operation) (AFCEE 1998). ICEs can be rebuilt as necessary.
• ICE systems can generate nuisance noise conditions if operated near residential areas. (The
nuisance can be mitigated with noise suppression insulation and privacy fences.)
• ICE units are complex systems that require skilled technicians to maintain, and as ICE units
age, more intensive maintenance is required.
3.2.4 Performance
ICEs can effectively treat relatively high concentrations of non-chlorinated VOCs, achieving DREs
generally between 90 and 98 percent (USAGE 2002); however, they have been reported to achieve
greater than 99 percent ORE for petroleum hydrocarbon vapors given proper air-to-fuel ratios
(Archabal and Downey 1994). If the air-to-fuel ratio is not correct (for example, if the oxygen or
hydrocarbon content of the SVE off-gas changes substantially), the ORE drops accordingly. ICE
systems are most cost-effective when treating vapor streams with high VOC concentrations. Influent
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concentrations of 30,000 to 40,000 ppmv are usually sufficient to maintain smooth system operation
without requiring supplemental fuel.
Since 1993, ICE technology has been tested at more than 25 U.S. Air Force Base sites. Each of these
systems was supplied by RSI. At Patrick Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida, an ICE was used to treat
gasoline vapors and achieved greater than 99 percent ORE for BTEX compounds and over 96 percent
ORE for total volatile hydrocarbons (AFCEE 1998; Archabal and Downey 1994). The ICEs operated at
three AFB sites in Arizona and one AFB site in Washington, DC, achieved DREs of over 99 percent for
vapor streams containing both gasoline and JP-4 constituents (Archabal and others 1997a and b).
3.2.5 Engineering Considerations
RSI's ICE systems are designed as fully automated systems using data loggers to monitor and control
system performance. The ICE operating parameters that are monitored regularly by the data logger
include oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, percent oxygen in the
exhaust, extraction flow rate, applied vacuum, air-to-fuel ratio, supplemental fuel consumption, and
engine operating time. Adjustments of the air-to-fuel ratio and supplemental fuel input rate can be
made automatically by the on-board computer to maintain acceptable DREs (Archabal and Downey
1994).
ICEs require routine maintenance based on hours of engine operation (similar to automobile engines).
Long-term ICE maintenance includes battery and catalytic converter replacement every 5,000 to
10,000 hours of operation (Archabal and others 1997a and b; Parker 1992). Also, complex
maintenance may be required to maintain the proper air-to-fuel ratio, and to troubleshoot the on-board
computer or data logger when excessive heat, dust, or engine vibrations are present.
RSI offers several enhancements to its ICE units, including a generator module that can produce up to
25 kilowatts of power per engine, a load module to provide backpressure and increase VOC DRE, and
integrated extraction/treatment systems such as vacuum stripping and MPE systems.
3.2.6 Residuals Management
With the exception of lubricant oils and coolants (which are recyclable), no major ancillary waste
streams requiring further treatment or disposal are associated with the ICE technology. As with
thermal oxidizers, most of the contaminants present in the influent off-gas and the supplemental fuel
are combusted in the ICE. Any remaining hydrocarbons in the ICE exhaust are oxidized using a
standard catalytic converter.
Combustion byproducts such as CO, NOX, and SOX can be generated in an ICE as in a thermal
oxidizer; however, these compounds are not typically a problem for SVE off-gas treatment using ICE.
If an ICE is operating at 99 percent DRE, then the production of byproducts may not be an issue;
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however, because ICEs require monitoring and maintenance to remain properly "tuned" (as with a car
engine), the formation of these byproducts may increase between maintenance periods.
3.2.7 Cost and Economics
The capital cost of an ICE is most dependent on the flow volume it is designed to handle. The overall
cost to treat hydrocarbon vapors depends on factors such as the cost and amount of auxiliary fuel
required.
ICE appears to be a cost-effective off-gas treatment technology under suitable site conditions. In
general, the ICE technology becomes more cost-effective with higher influent VOC concentrations.
The AFCEE (1998) report suggests that the cost for SVE off-gas treatment for a 100-scfm extraction
rate and 1,000 ppmv of average total vapor hydrocarbon content is about the same as the cost for
thermal oxidation, about 20 percent more than for a Cat-Ox system, and about 40 percent of the cost
of treatment using granular activated carbon (GAG). At a 5,000 ppmv average total hydrocarbon
content, costs for ICE and thermal or Cat-Ox systems for the 100-scfm rate are about the same and
about 10 percent of the cost of GAC treatment (depending on the cost of fuel for the different thermal
treatment systems).
3.2.8 Developmental Status
ICE systems are commercially available for treating non-chlorinated site remediation off-gases. Based
on available data, ICE appears to be a cost-effective technology. This cost-effectiveness is likely due
to the fact that the system provides a method for treating remediation off-gases and also generates the
vacuum required for SVE system operation.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
4.0 ADSORPTION TECHNOLOGIES
Adsorption is a traditional technological approach for treating off-gases containing VOCs, both in
industrial processes and soil remediation applications. Of SVE projects at Superfund sites that had
data available about off-gas treatment, 70 percent used adsorption (U.S. EPA 2004). The adsorbent
most often used to treat SVE off-gas is activated carbon. Other adsorbents include alumino-silicate
"zeolites" and synthetic polymers. All three classes of materials treat the contaminated waste stream
by capturing and removing the VOCs through physical adsorption.
In adsorption, the pollutant is collected on the surface (primarily the internal surface) of a granule,
bead, or crystal of sorbent medium. The adsorbed compound is held physically and somewhat
loosely, and can be released (desorbed) relatively easily by either heat or vacuum processes.
Each material has a different adsorption capacity referred to as the "adsorption isotherm." This
capacity is measured in pounds of pollutant adsorbed per pound of adsorbent at a given temperature.
This isotherm is a function of the contaminant concentration (or partial pressure) in the vapor, the
temperature, the total ambient pressure, and the adsorptive areas of the medium that the VOCs can
reach. Because carbon, zeolites, and polymers each have different pore sizes and surface areas vary,
the adsorption isotherm is different for each material and each type of pollutant. These factors dictate
the amount of contaminant that each sorbent can adsorb. Selection of an appropriate adsorbent
material is primarily a function of the contaminant to be adsorbed, but the adsorption capacity of certain
sorbents may be reduced by the relative humidity of the gas stream.
Carbon was the first material observed to have a large surface area and the property of decreasing a
chemical's ability to escape the closer it approaches the carbon's internal surface area. Zeolite and
polymer adsorbents have more recently been found to also have large internal surface areas with this
property. Each class of adsorbent material has advantages for particular applications. Activated
carbon has a long history of usage and hundreds of case studies, while other sorbents have been
applied to SVE treatment system off-gases only more recently. Additional information about
adsorption technologies can be found in U.S. EPA's "Technical Bulletin: Choosing an Adsorption
System for VOC: Carbon, Zeolite, or Polymers" (U.S. EPA 1999) and USAGE'S "Engineering and
Design - Adsorption Design Guide" (USAGE 2001).
4.1 Activated Carbon Adsorption
Activated carbon is an excellent adsorption medium because of its large specific surface area and
micropores (smaller than the smallest pores manufactured in polymer adsorbents) of 2 to 500
angstroms (A) (1 angstrom = 1 x 10~10 meter). Activated carbon typically has surface areas ranging
from 800 to 1,400 square meters per gram (Alley 1998). In vapor-phase activated carbon adsorption,
contaminants are removed from a vapor stream by physical adsorption onto the surface of "activated"
carbon pellets, beads, granules, or powder. Because the granular form of activated carbon is
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
generally used as the adsorbent, the systems are referred to as GAG systems. Before use, the carbon
is activated by high-temperature steam pyrolysis in an oxygen-limited environment of coal, wood, bark,
coconut husks, and other materials to remove all volatile material as a gas or vapor and to leave only
the carbon. Various starting materials produce GAG with slightly different properties to address
specific applications. For example, coconut-based carbons generally perform better at higher humidity
than coal-based carbons. Following activation, carbon may be partially oxidized to enlarge its pores
prior to use.
4.1.1 Technology Description
The treatment process of carbon adsorption is relatively simple. The off-gas from an SVE system (or
the vapor emissions of an industrial process) is blown or sucked by blowers and vacuum pumps
through the activated carbon. The vapor-phase contaminants flow through a packed bed or vessel
containing activated carbon and are adsorbed onto the surface of the carbon until the concentration of
VOCs in the effluent from the carbon bed exceeds acceptable levels. Most adsorption systems consist
of one or more vessels connected in series or in parallel. These vessels can be cartridges, canisters,
drums, tanks, or bins. Typical equipment sizes include 55-gallon drums containing 150 pounds of
carbon; 8-foot-diameter containers with approximately 4,000 pounds of carbon; and 12-foot-diameter
containers or larger containing more than 10,000 pounds of carbon. Activated carbon typically sorbs
10 to 20 percent of its weight; however, when relative humidity is above 50 percent, this capacity is
reduced by sorption of water.
The adsorbent system employs fixed, moving, or fluidized beds. In fixed-bed systems, the adsorbent
is contained within a square or cylindrical chamber, and the contaminated vapor is directed vertically
downward or horizontally through the chamber. Fixed-bed adsorption systems are the most common
for SVE off-gas treatment. In moving-bed systems, the adsorbent is contained between two coaxial
rotating cylinders, and the vapor flows between the two cylinders. As the cylinders rotate, part of the
adsorbent is regenerated, while the rest continues to remove contaminants from the vapor stream. In
fluidized-bed systems, the contaminated vapor flows upward through the adsorbent vessel. As the
adsorbent becomes saturated, it slowly migrates downward in the vessel to a surge bin, where it is
passed to a regeneration chamber and finally to the top of the adsorbent chamber for reuse. Figure
4-1 shows a typical regenerable system.
Activated carbon may be regenerated once it has reached its adsorption capacity. Some types of
carbon systems are non-regenerable (for example, carbon canisters), and others are regenerable (for
example, fixed beds). Once saturated with sorbed compounds, the carbon in regenerable systems is
treated to remove the adsorbed chemicals and allow the carbon to be used again. Regeneration is
performed by changing the conditions in the bed to desorb the contaminants from the carbon. This
process is achieved by increasing the temperature using hot air or steam, decreasing the partial
pressure, or introducing a stronger adsorbed material to displace the VOCs (Rafson 1998).
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Regenerable carbon can be regenerated in place (generally by steam or hot air regeneration) or at an
off-site regeneration facility, or it can be disposed when spent. In on-site regenerable systems, one or
more carbon vessels are typically kept in operation while others are regenerated. Systems using
steam for on-site regeneration typically include a boiler, a feed water supply and treatment system, a
condenser, a separator, storage for the recovered contaminants (either a tank or drums), and a
source of drying air, such as process gas exiting an on-line adsorber or compressor. Systems using
hot gas for on-site regeneration include gas storage (either in cylinders or tanks) or on-site gas
generators, heaters for the gas, condensers, and contaminant storage equipment. A separator is
not usually required for gas systems because the condensate is a single organic phase, but a fan or
pump for the cooling fluid may be needed. Regeneration may result in some contaminants
remaining adsorbed and unaltered within the carbon. The adsorption capacity of the carbon will
likely be reduced by these residual contaminants. The number of times carbon can be regenerated
is based on these residual contaminants, and when the adsorption capacity becomes too low, the
carbon requires replacement (USAGE 2001).
Figure 4-1. Typical Regenerable Activated Carbon System
Feed Ai
Regenerated/Makeup
Activated Carbon
Adsorber
1
Spent
Carbon
Adsorber
Regenerated/Makeup
Activated Carbon
-H-
! Treated Effluent
N Valve Open
N Valve Closed
Source: FRTR2004
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4.1.2 Applicability
GAC systems are robust in that they are not sensitive to rapid changes in extracted vapor
concentration. Another attribute of GAC systems is that they can be used to treat a wide range of
VOCs, although some highly polar and/or volatile VOCs (such as vinyl chloride) and VOCs having
smaller molecules (such as methanol and formaldehyde) do not adsorb well. Thus, GAC systems can
be used to capture and control most VOC and chlorinated VOC emissions from both site soil
remediation and industrial processes. GAC can also be impregnated to remove additional
contaminants, such as hydrogen sulfide, mercury, and ammonia (Calgon 2005; General Carbon
Corporation 2005). GAC systems are more efficient in removing non-polar organics than either zeolite
or synthetic polymer systems.
For high flow-rate industrial applications, GAC systems may be used with other technologies, such as
condensation or thermal treatment. In some industrial applications, GAC systems act as a
concentrator to make condensation or thermal treatment more cost-effective. The most common use
of activated carbon in conjunction with another technology is as a "polishing" process. That is, GAC is
often used after less effective off-gas treatment technologies such as biofiltration or condensation to
achieve VOC discharge limits.
The relatively low initial capital cost of carbon adsorption systems makes them particularly attractive for
short-term SVE off-gas treatment applications where dilute concentrations of VOCs are present;
however, carbon usage increases as the concentration of the vapor to be treated or flow rate of the off-
gas increases (increasing O&M costs).
A carbon bed will adsorb more VOCs at high vapor concentration than at low concentration; however,
sustained high vapor concentration will result in faster carbon "breakthrough" (resulting in
unacceptable VOC concentrations in the effluent). Adsorption systems are most effective (in terms of
both cost and waste management) in remediation projects involving dilute contaminant concentrations
(less than 100 ppmv) and moderate flow rates. These relatively low concentrations may be difficult or
uneconomical to meet using another technology. Adsorption is also common when expected VOC
emissions are in the range of 500 to 5,000 ppmv initially but are not expected to remain high for long
periods (Govind and others 1994). For higher concentrations or extended periods of high
concentrations, thermal treatment (see Section 3.0), membrane separators (see Section 6.3), and
condensers (see Section 6.4.2) may be more economically feasible.
4.1.3 Limitations
In general, GAC is a very robust and cost-effective vapor treatment technology; therefore, it is routinely
used for vapor treatment applications, particularly SVE off-gas treatment. There are, however, a
variety of limitations to the use of GAC for SVE off-gas treatment that are important considerations.
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The main limitation of this technology is the high operating costs associated with adsorbent
replacement or regeneration when high influent concentrations are present. The use of more
capital-intensive, on-site regenerative systems can help minimize these costs. Carbon should be
replaced every 6 months to 5 years, depending on the frequency of regeneration and temperatures at
which the system operates (U.S. EPA 1999).
Carbon is neither fully hydrophobic nor hydrophilic and has an affinity for both polar and non-polar
molecules. Because of its affinity for polar molecules, water is easily adsorbed by activated carbon.
This factor causes high-humidity off-gas streams to diminish carbon's adsorptive ability because the
carbon will preferentially adsorb polar water molecules and a layer of water will form on the surface of
the carbon. This water film hinders the natural attraction forces of the VOCs to carbon. When the
contaminated vapor has a relative humidity of greater than 50 percent, zeolite or synthetic polymers
may be considered as more appropriate adsorbents because they have less affinity for water than
activated carbon. However, these materials may not be as cost-effective as adding dehumidification
equipment.
Temperatures above 100 °F in gas streams also can significantly reduce carbon's adsorption capacity.
Activated carbon generally is not used with thermal treatment technologies because of the inherent
high efficiencies of thermal units and their associated high-temperature effluent.
Carbon usage increases as the concentration of contaminants in the vapor increases. The associated
cost of carbon disposal or regeneration also increases as a function of the influent vapor concentration;
therefore, other vapor treatment alternatives may be more cost-competitive at the higher vapor
concentrations typically encountered during the initial phases of SVE system operation. Adsorption
systems can be designed to handle high flow rates and high vapor concentrations, but the costs
associated with frequent carbon replacement or regeneration may make the use of other off-gas
treatment technologies (such as thermal oxidation) more attractive.
Activated carbon is not effective for VOCs with high polarity, such as alcohols and organic acids, or
high vapor-pressure (highly volatile) compounds, such as vinyl chloride, methyl tert-butyl ether
(MTBE), or methylene chloride.
When treating VOCs that are monomers for plastics (such as styrene), the system design needs to
consider the possibility of polymerization reactions on the GAC bed. This situation may result in
bridging and clumps in the bed. Polymerization reactions generally require heat input; therefore, this
factor is of particular concern with on-site regenerable GAC systems.
Another concern is that certain chemicals, once adsorbed, can cause carbon bed fires. Most
adsorption of VOCs by activated carbon is exothermic (energy-releasing). Because the heat of
adsorption is especially high with ketones (such as MEK and MIBK), aldehydes, and similar organic
compounds (Naujokas 1985), the heat released during sorption can cause carbon to auto-ignite and
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produce a bed fire. Therefore, special fire protection measures may be needed when treating these
compounds (USAGE 2001).
Effluent streams can be treated until the concentrations (in gas or the adsorption bed) reach 25
percent of the VOC's LEL. At these concentrations, fire safety issues arise and the off-gas must be
diluted with ambient (clean) air. For most VOCs, 25 percent of the LEL would be in the range of 2,500
to 10,000 ppmv (see Table 3-1).
4.1.4 Performance
Well-designed adsorber systems should achieve 95 to 98 percent DREs at input concentrations of 500
to 2,000 ppmv (U.S. EPA 1999). At lower concentrations, DREs are generally greater than 98 percent.
These levels of removal will be achieved until the adsorption capacity of the sorbent bed is reached.
The carbon adsorption capacity is defined as the mass of contaminant that can be adsorbed onto a
given mass of carbon until breakthrough occurs.
There is no theoretical method that consistently and accurately predicts the performance of adsorption
systems (Rafson 1998). Carbon adsorption is based on the principle of equilibrium partitioning from
the vapor phase to the surface of the carbon. The carbon adsorption capacity is strongly influenced by
the contaminant concentration in the process stream and the temperature at which the adsorption is
taking place. In general, the higher the concentration of contaminant in the vapor stream, the higher
the contaminant adsorption capacity of the carbon. Conversely, the higher the temperature, the lower
the adsorption capacity.
Most carbon manufacturers have empirical adsorption isotherm data (adsorption capacity as a function
of concentration at a constant temperature) used to predict when the adsorption capacity of a particular
adsorbent will be reached for specific contaminants at varying influent concentrations.
As discussed above, the performance of a GAC system in particular can be greatly influenced by the
relative humidity of the vapor stream (FRTR 2004). Thus, a moist, hot regenerated carbon bed will not
remove VOCs as effectively as cool dry carbon. Steam regenerable carbon systems typically include a
drying cycle using clean ambient air for regeneration. Moisture in the GAC bed can also promote
biological growth on the carbon, which can reduce the surface area in the bed available for sorption
and provide resistance to air flow through the bed. High particulate loading from influent vapor can
also reduce flow through the bed.
4.1.5 Engineering Considerations
As described in Section 4.1.4, the time until carbon breakthrough occurs may be short for several
reasons, and frequent carbon replacement or regeneration may be required (for example, when high
influent vapor concentrations, poorly sorptive compounds [such as MTBE], or very high humidity vapor
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are present). Two or more GAC beds are typically aligned in series to prevent contaminant emissions
from exceeding local regulatory requirements if breakthrough in the primary treatment vessel occurs.
Most fixed-bed adsorption systems consist of one or more adsorbent bed vessels connected in series
or in parallel. Series arrangements permit more contact time for the contaminant and the adsorbent
and allow breakthrough monitoring of the effluent of the primary vessel without risking contaminant
emissions to the atmosphere. Parallel arrangements accommodate higher flow rates and increase the
overall adsorption capacity of the system. For multi-vessel systems, flexible piping is generally used to
allow easy interchange between parallel or series configurations.
Adsorption isotherm data are available from manufacturers for many compounds, and these should be
consulted during system design. For special circumstances, batch isotherm tests can be used to
determine system size and carbon usage requirements.
Linear bed velocities for carbon adsorption typically range from 8 to 100 feet per minute (fpm),
although depending on the system, velocities as high as 200 fpm have been achieved. Residence
times are typically a few seconds, but they can be up to hundreds of minutes (U.S. EPA 1991b).
High temperature and relative humidity in the process stream can reduce the adsorption capacity of
the system; however, short-term fluctuations in temperature and moisture will not result in significant
system upsets. Moisture separators are typically used to remove entrained water droplets prior to
carbon treatment. Although higher temperatures can also reduce adsorption capacity, this effect is
less severe; therefore, designs sometimes incorporate a small reheater to reduce incoming humidity.
More efficient humidity control can be accomplished by cooling prior to the moisture separator followed
by reheating to a lower temperature. For SVE applications, particulate concentrations are typically not
of concern, so particle filtration "upstream" of the GAC units is not common. In addition, bed plugging
or masking from particulate matter or biological growth can also diminish the adsorption capacity by
reducing the carbon surface area available for adsorption (Rafson 1998).
A fire hazard can also exist during the virgin operating cycle because there is little moisture present on
the carbon to act as a heat sink and because more contaminants are likely to be adsorbed during this
cycle than any other cycle. This situation occurs during the initial operation of an SVE system when
VOC concentrations are high. Because the sorption reaction is exothermic (as described in Section
4.1.3), the adsorption of relatively large amounts of VOCs on dry virgin carbon can release enough
energy to raise the temperature of the vapor from 100 to over 250 °F, which can melt plastic piping at
the outlet of the adsorber. This heat can also cause an explosion or fire hazard, especially if the
vapors contain flammable or combustible compounds (Rafson 1998). This situation is especially an
issue when ketones, aldehydes, and similar organic compounds are treated. Most carbon bed fires
occur when units stay stagnant for prolonged periods of time. To minimize the potential for these fires,
one or more of the following can be conducted: (1) lowering the temperature by convectional and
evaporational cooling, (2) maintaining flow at more than 2 fpm, and (3) removing oxygen from the
system using nitrogen or water (Naujokas 1985).
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Carbon beds requiring regeneration need to be regenerated in cycles of adsorption and desorption
until they achieve a stable amount of adsorption capacity and desorption. Because there is equilibrium
between the captured and escaping molecules, carbon (and some polymers) continue to recapture
molecules in micropores during regeneration; therefore, after regeneration, carbon is capable of
adsorbing only 50 percent of the amount adsorbed by the virgin material due to these residual
contaminants (U.S. EPA 1999). The number of times carbon can be regenerated is based on these
residual contaminants, and when the adsorption capacity becomes too low, the carbon will need to
be replaced. This issue must be considered when sizing an adsorbent bed (USAGE 2001).
The traditional carbon adsorber regeneration system uses steam to raise the temperature of the
adsorbed VOCs and boil them from the carbon. This process is known as "thermal swing
regeneration" because the temperature usually swings during the process from ambient temperatures
to 250 to 350 °F. After desorption, cooling air blown into the carbon bed in place of the steam helps to
dry the bed and remove any excess water that may inhibit future adsorption. If air flow and
concentration vary, a sensor indicates when regeneration has been accomplished. Thermal
regeneration has also been performed using other methods such as microwaves and heated nitrogen.
Purifies ES Inc. also has a patent pending on a technology called Phase Extraction Technology, which
uses heat to regenerate activated carbon filter beds to treat VOCs and SVOCs (Purifies 2006).
To enhance solvent recovery from carbon when chemical reuse may be considered and to minimize
contamination of the solvent by steam, vacuum regeneration may be used. This process uses a
vacuum pump to lower the pressure below the vapor pressure of the VOCs adsorbed, which causes
the VOCs to boil off without the use of heat. Sometimes, a purge gas is used to enhance the flow of
the VOCs. The VOCs can then be separated from the vacuum flow by condensation, compression, or
membrane separation. If the purity of the separated VOCs is too low to make separation practical,
they can be destroyed by incineration.
4.1.6 Residuals Management
The carbon from SVE off-gas adsorption treatment systems is most often taken off site for
regeneration or disposal. Less commonly, adsorbents can be regenerated on site. During
regeneration, the contaminants are thermally desorbed and must be further treated using some other
technology (usually incineration). Spent carbon designated for disposal may need to be managed as a
hazardous waste (FRTR 2004).
4.1.7 Cost and Economics
The capital cost of a carbon adsorption system is almost directly proportional to the off-gas flow rate
and concentration. The total cost of an activated carbon system is generally driven by the amount of
carbon used (an O&M cost), which is a function of the amount of time the SVE system is operated.
The amount of carbon needed also impacts the capital costs in terms of blower pressure drop, bed
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size, and, for on-site regenerable systems, boiler and condenser size. Based on a 20,000-cfm fixed
bed system, Rafson (1998) indicates that the purchase price of an activated carbon adsorption system
ranges from $20 to $25 per cfm.
Portable canister systems are typically used for SVE off-gas treatment applications and generally have
lower purchase costs than permanent, large-scale industrial systems. A typical 180-pound canister
costs approximately $600 for the vessel, carbon, and connections, without taxes, freight, or installation.
Table 4-1 lists costs for larger sorption systems (RTN 1999a). These costs include initial filling with
carbon. The cost range is based on whether virgin or regenerated carbon is initially provided and is
consistent with cost estimates provided by other carbon vendors.
Table 4-1. Estimated Capital Cost Range for Vapor-Phase Activated Carbon Treatment Units
(Including Carbon)
Canister Size
1,000-pound unit
2,000-pound unit
Diameter
(feet)
8
12
Capability
(cfm)
6,000
8,000
Capital Cost Range
$6,000 - $7,500
$7,000 - $8,500
Source: RTN 1999a
Calgon reports typical installation costs of $3,200 and $4,600 for the 1,000- and 2,000-pound units,
respectively. Activated carbon replacement cost ranges from $0.85 to $2.00 per pound, depending on
mesh size, activity preparation, and volume, with a median price of $1.50 per pound. Reactivated
carbon replacement costs per pound would be approximately 25 percent less. Annual maintenance
costs range from 3 to 10 percent of the installed capital costs (RTN 1999a).
4.1.8 Developmental Status
Activated carbon adsorption is a mature, demonstrated, established technology and is frequently part
of remedial designs. This readily available technology is offered by many vendors.
4.2 Zeolite Adsorption
In a zeolite adsorption treatment system, hydrophobic zeolite packing is the adsorption medium
instead of activated carbon. The process components of a zeolite adsorption system are similar to
those of a GAC adsorption system in that contaminants are captured and removed from a vapor
stream through physical adsorption.
4.2.1 Technology Description
Zeolites act like a reverse filter to capture small molecules while letting larger molecules pass through.
They are sometimes referred to as "molecular sieves" because of their crystalline structures with
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uniform and regularly spaced pores (U.S. EPA 1998). The pore sizes of zeolites can range from
approximately 8 A (Munters Zeol) to 13 A (Alley 1998). Zeolite crystals also have specific surface
areas of approximately 1,200 square meters per gram, which is comparable to the surface area of
activated carbon (Alley 1998). Zeolites are also capable of selective ion exchange.
Natural zeolites are hydrophilic, anhydrous, aluminosilicate minerals found in volcanic rock and ancient
seabed sedimentary formations. Approximately 40 natural zeolites have been identified (U.S. EPA
1998). Synthetic zeolites may be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic and are manufactured to have
specific properties. For example, synthetic zeolites can be made hydrophobic to provide them with an
affinity for non-polar compounds such as many VOCs or can be chemically-enhanced to target specific
contaminants. Zeolites (both natural and synthetic) are packaged in a variety of container sizes for
vapor stream treatment of SVE off-gases, or they can be placed into containers at the point of use.
Once the sorbent bed is saturated, the zeolite material can be regenerated and reused. However, the
desorbed contaminants must subsequently be disposed of or treated by some other process.
Zeolites may be synthesized to have specific properties. For example, zeolites can be made
hydrophobic to provide them with an affinity for non-polar compounds such as many VOCs or can be
chemically-enhanced to target specific contaminants. Zeolites (both natural and synthetic) are
packaged in a variety of container sizes for vapor stream treatment of SVE off-gases, or they can be
placed into containers at the point of use. Once the sorbent bed is saturated, the zeolite material can
be regenerated and reused. However, the desorbed contaminants must subsequently be disposed of
or treated by some other process.
Because of zeolite's ability to adsorb at high humidity, its resistance to burning, its higher ORE for
VOCs at lower concentrations, and its more complete regeneration, zeolites could be more
advantageous in certain system applications than activated carbon. Figure 4-2 shows a typical zeolite
adsorption system. The system shown includes a zeolite rotary concentrator, two heat exchangers,
and an optional catalyst.
4.2.2 Applicability
Zeolite adsorption appears to have limited use in soil and groundwater remediation applications,
although it is widely applied in air pollution control technologies for industrial applications. Currently,
there are no reported applications of zeolite adsorption to treat SVE off-gases, according to the
references used for this report. However, Munters Corporation has a system operating at a U.S.
government-owned facility to treat chlorinated vapors generated from a groundwater remediation
project (ENSR 2003b).
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Figure 4-2. Zeolite Adsorption System
Zeolite
Rotor
Clean
Exhaust
Process Air
and VOCs
Concentrate
Secondary
Heat
Exchanger
Primary
Heat
Exchanger
(Optional)
Oxidizer
Source: Munters Corporation 2005
Zeolite systems appear to be primarily used in industrial applications as concentrator systems in
conjunction with thermal oxidation (U.S. EPA 1995). Inorganic crystalline zeolite is the only
hydrophobic adsorbent not damaged by temperatures of up to 1,800 °F (Munters Corporation 2005).
Zeolites can be used to treat vapor streams containing NOX emissions, most chlorinated VOCs, and
non-chlorinated VOCs. According to U.S. EPA (1995), Munters Corporation's hydrophobic zeolites
can also be used to effectively treat high boiling-point solvents. Highly polar and volatile VOC
degradation products such as vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, sulfur compounds, and alcohols are better
adsorbed by hydrophilic zeolites than by activated carbon (U.S. EPA 1995). Hydrophilic zeolites
impregnated with potassium permanganate are also effective at removing polar substances such as
sulfur compounds, alcohols, vinyl chloride, and formaldehyde.
Current zeolite systems generally treat high-flow and very-low concentration vapor streams less
commonly encountered for SVE off-gas treatment applications. This may explain their limited use for
SVE off-gas treatment to date. The influent concentration range for 32 Munters Corporation systems
reported in U.S. EPA (1995) ranged from 20 to 150 ppmv for industrial influent vapor streams
containing petroleum compounds, paint solvents, and plastic fumes. Some of the zeolite adsorption
systems identified in U.S. EPA (1995) were stand-alone, fixed-bed systems with flow rates ranging
from 3,000 to 30,000 cfm.
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An advantage of hydrophobia zeolite adsorption over carbon adsorption systems is that it can be
applied to humid vapor streams without adversely affecting the working capacity of the adsorption bed.
The zeolite's pore size is determined by its strictly regular crystalline structure, whereas carbon has a
broad range of pore sizes. Carbon tends to adsorb large highly volatile organic compounds such as
naphthalene, but zeolite does not adsorb large molecules. Highly volatile contaminants will therefore
gradually block smaller carbon pores, preventing further adsorption and decreasing carbon's
adsorptive capacity. Highly volatile organic compounds are also difficult to desorb. In contrast, the
narrow pore size of zeolite does not allow organic molecules to enter the zeolite structure (Munters
Corporation 2005).
Zeolite has a greater sorption capacity than carbon because of its more consistent pore size. This
uniformity can be particularly important in VOC abatement applications that require a high percentage
removal rate from low-concentration inlet streams, such as those commonly associated with SVE
applications, at relatively low capital and operating costs (Munters Corporation 2005).
4.2.3 Limitations
Typically, zeolites can adsorb molecules up to approximately 8 A in diameter such as formaldehyde,
methane, acetone, MEK, vinyl chloride, phenol, and styrene; however, certain contaminants tend to
polymerize on this adsorbent, complicating the removal and ultimate destruction of the contaminant.
Styrene, for example, polymerizes to polystyrene, which has a high boiling point and large molecular
weight, making it relatively impossible to desorb without very high temperatures. The use of high
temperatures to desorb contaminants requires fuel and leads to higher operating costs for zeolite
systems used to treat these types of chemicals.
Zeolite has a non-linear adsorption isotherm relative to vapor pressures for the molecules for which it
has an affinity. This non-linearity makes either carbon or polymers the better adsorbent when the
vapor pressure (or concentration) is higher.
Zeolites are generally not useful in treating vapor streams with a wide assortment of contaminants
because not all contaminants may be removed from the stream. Carbon or synthetic polymer
adsorbents are better suited to treat multi-contaminant waste streams because these adsorbents have
a wider range of pore sizes. In addition, zeolites allow larger molecules to pass through and the
potential exists for large-sized molecules not retained in the zeolite to be discharged to the
atmosphere.
4.2.4 Performance
The performance of zeolite adsorption systems is a function of the chemical and physical properties of
both the adsorbent and influent. The ability of the zeolite to adsorb certain compounds depends on its
adsorption area and whether the pore size of the sieve is large enough to allow the targeted
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compounds to pass through. Molecules much larger than 8 A in diameter are not adsorbed effectively.
Typical DREs for zeolite adsorption systems range from 95 to 98 percent at inlet concentrations
ranging from 500 to 2,000 ppmv in air. Zeolite adsorption has been shown to reduce VOC inlet
concentrations of 400 to 2,000 ppmv to less than 50 ppmv. In some cases, VOC concentrations have
been reduced to 20 ppmv (U.S. EPA 1999).
Compared to carbon adsorption, zeolite adsorbers have even higher adsorption capacity at influent
concentrations less than 100 ppmv (U.S. EPA 1999). At higher inlet concentrations, the relative
adsorption capacity of activated carbon becomes greater compared to zeolites. The adsorption
capacity of zeolites is not adversely affected until the relative humidity of the influent streams reaches
approximately 90 percent (U.S. EPA 1995). Figures 4-3 and 4-4 compare the relative adsorption
capacities of activated carbon and Munters Zeol (a proprietary product) in terms of inlet concentration
and relative humidity, respectively.
The effectiveness of zeolite adsorbent is monitored similarly to GAC's effectiveness by comparing
influent and effluent concentrations. As with carbon adsorption, there are limitations to total mass
loading and as the adsorptive capacity is exhausted, breakthrough occurs, requiring bed change-out or
regeneration. Zeolite adsorbents have no particular or unique start-up or steady-state use issues, and
the material is reliable if properly applied.
Figure 4-3. Comparison of Inlet Concentration Effects on Adsorption Capacity of Adsorbents
Adsorption
Capacity
(as % Adsorbent
Weight)
Hydrophobia Zeolite
Inlet Solvent Concentration (ppm)
100
Source: U.S. EPA 1995b
Note:
ppm = Part per million
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Figure 4-4. Comparison of Humidity Effects on Adsorption Capacity of Adsorbents
Water
Adsorption
Capacity
Typical Activated
Carbon
0%
50%
Relative Humidity (%
100%
Source: U.S. EPA1995b
4.2.5 Engineering Considerations
Regeneration of a zeolite consists of heating or evacuating the zeolite to desorb the hydrating water or
other material from the adsorption area, similar to carbon regeneration. As with GAC systems, the
predicted time to breakthrough of a zeolite adsorbent can be determined using empirical adsorption
isotherm equilibrium data, expected or actual system flow rates, and influent concentrations. In
choosing zeolites, the effective pore size (sometimes referred to as "window" size) and the effective
molecular diameter for each VOC to be removed must be known. It is necessary to accurately match
the pore (or window) size with the VOC molecular diameter to ensure that the VOC will be trapped
within the bed rather than escape because the pores are too small.
The adsorption capacity or adsorption isotherm (pounds of VOCs adsorbed per pound of adsorbent) is
a function of concentration, temperature, area, and pressure. This capacity must be evaluated based
on the VOCs, flow rates, and expected treatment duration. The critical temperature and pressure (for
polymerization and oxidation) for catalyzing reactions must be known for each VOC and each zeolite to
design the system properly and avoid such reactions. The effective bed life or "working capacity" for a
zeolite adsorption system is substantially longer than for activated carbon. Zeolites have a more
uniform pore size than carbon or polymers and therefore are able to adsorb about 90 percent of the
amount of contaminant mass during subsequent regenerations as the virgin material. In fact, zeolite
replacement after regeneration occurs very rarely. Zeolite beds can withstand high desorption
4-14
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
temperatures of up to 1,000 °F, which allows for better VOC desorption during regeneration (U.S. EPA
1999). For safety reasons, the VOC level after the vapor stream has been concentrated by zeolite
treatment should remain below one-fourth of the LEL for that mixture of compounds.
Compounds not easily adsorbed by activated carbon or zeolite may be target contaminants for
chemically-enhanced zeolite treatment. For example, zeolite impregnated with potassium
permanganate specifically targets acid gases and low molecular-weight aliphatics such as
formaldehyde, acetone, and vinyl chloride. The zeolite acts as a carrier vehicle for the potassium
permanganate and provides surface area for the oxidizing reactions to take place between the
contaminants and the potassium permanganate. Zeolite is chosen as the substrate over other
materials such as sand or activated alumina because of its porous structure, superior crush strength,
and lower cost. Six percent of the weight of the final impregnated zeolite material is potassium
permanganate. The ultimate density of the impregnated material is 60 pounds per cubic foot, which is
approximately twice the density of activated carbon. The higher density of the impregnated zeolite is a
factor in the material's longevity because it is less apt to break apart or turn to dust than activated
carbon or activated alumina substrates. One manufacturer's field studies show that 70 pounds of
impregnated zeolite will remove 1 pound of vinyl chloride from a vapor stream (Hydrosil International
2005).
Potassium permanganate-impregnated zeolite is applied most often for the removal of vinyl chloride
from vapor streams. When hydrated, potassium permanganate forms the products potassium
hydroxide, manganese tetraoxide, and manganese dioxide. Manganese tetraoxide reacts with vinyl
chloride to form potassium chloride and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is released while the
potassium chloride resides in the zeolite. For greatest efficiency, vinyl chloride removal systems may
have two or three adsorbent beds placed in series. The first is an activated carbon bed that removes
most non-polar VOCs from the vapor stream but leaves vinyl chloride unaffected. The vapor stream
passes next through a bed of impregnated zeolite, where the vinyl chloride is removed by reactions
with the potassium permanganate. A third bed of activated carbon captures any breakthrough from
the previous two beds.
4.2.6 Residuals Management
Similar to carbon adsorption, zeolite technology requires sequential replacement or regeneration to
remove and destroy VOCs sorbed onto the zeolite bed. This requirement generates residuals that
may be classified as hazardous waste requiring further treatment or destruction.
Regeneration can be achieved by either vacuum adsorption or temperature swing adsorption. In
vacuum adsorption, a vacuum pump lowers the pressure of the adsorbent to below the vapor pressure
of the contaminants. Consequently, the contaminants boil off the adsorbent without an increase in
temperature. In temperature swing adsorption, the adsorption bed is subjected to steam or a different
source of heat, allowing the contaminants to boil off. During regeneration, the temperature swings
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
from ambient temperatures to 250 to 350 °F (U.S. EPA 1999). The concentrated air stream is often
fed into an oxidizer where the contaminants are destroyed.
4.2.7 Cost and Economics
The cost of manufactured hydrophobic zeolites ranges from $6.50 to $40.00 per pound. Generally, a
minimum of 1 ton of zeolite is needed for treatment of VOCs, and this amount can handle up to 8,000
cfm (U.S. EPA 1998). Similar to activated carbon systems, zeolite system costs depend greatly on
factors such as vapor flow rate and VOC concentrations. As examples, a unit sized for an influent
concentration of 110 ppmv costs $1,000 to $1,500 per ton of VOCs removed. This cost increases to
approximately $3,250 per ton of VOCs removed for a stream with an initial concentration of only 20
ppmv (Munters Corporation 2005). By comparison, activated carbon costs range from $1.40 to $2 per
pound ($2,800 to $4,000 per ton) (U.S. EPA 1998).
A zeolite rotary concentrator system sized for a 970-scfm vapor flow rate with a less than 110-ppmv
VOC influent concentration costs approximately $67,000. Including a Cat-Ox that would then thermally
treat the desorbed VOCs would increase the cost to approximately $160,000. A fuel savings of 80
percent can be achieved by a zeolite rotary concentrator/oxidizer system compared to a conventional
catalytic oxidation system without the zeolite rotary concentrator (Munters Corporation 2005).
Zeolite systems regenerated using pressure swing adsorption at room temperatures do not require a
source of heat during regeneration and therefore would allow some cost savings over activated carbon
systems. As described in Section 4.2.3, certain compounds tend to polymerize on the zeolites,
requiring added costs for desorption.
4.2.8 Developmental Status
Zeolites are naturally occurring and manufactured materials used extensively in several commercial
applications. Zeolites are used fairly extensively for industrial air pollution control; therefore, the
technology is relatively well developed. As described in Section 4.2.2, however, there are few, if any,
commercial applications of zeolite adsorption for SVE off-gas treatment.
Because zeolites have had limited use for treating SVE off-gases, there is limited regulatory
awareness of this adsorbent. Zeolites challenge activated carbon as the preferred adsorbent in certain
fixed-bed adsorbers. Zeolite has reportedly been used instead of carbon in systems in Europe (U.S.
EPA 1998).
Vendors of this technology are listed below. This list is not meant to be comprehensive and was
developed from mention in literature and from Web sites providing descriptions of technologies
applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
• Munters Corporation; Amesbury, MA; www.munters.com
• Hydrosil International, Ltd.; Elgin, IL; www.hydrosilintl.com
• PQ Corporation; Berwyn, PA; www.pqcorp.com
• Grace Davison; Columbia, MD; www.gracedavison.com
• Dedert Corporation; Olympia Fields, IL; www.dedert.com
• Diirr Industries; Plymouth, Ml; www.durr.com/en/
• Zeolyst International; Valley Forge, PA; www.zeolyst.com
4.3 Synthetic Polymer Adsorption
Polymer adsorption is similar to carbon and zeolite adsorption in that contaminants are captured and
removed from a vapor stream through physical adsorption. The process components are similar to
those of a GAG or zeolite adsorption system. In general, polymeric adsorbents (such as plastics,
polyesters, polyethers, or rubbers) are not considered highly selective of the VOCs adsorbed. They
are more expensive than carbon but do not need replacement as frequently. Relative to carbon, they
are less sensitive to humidity, less subject to fire, and less subject to loss of integral structure. The
polymers can be regenerated as the other adsorbents can, and synthetic polymers have been
observed to desorb more quickly than carbon.
4.3.1 Technology Description
Polymer adsorption uses synthetic polymer adsorbent packing instead of activated carbon or zeolites.
Polymeric adsorbents have manufactured pores, and pore sizes range from macro-porous through
molecular sizes. The smallest pore size is still larger than the micropores of activated carbon (U.S.
EPA 1999). Polymer adsorbents are used as granules or beads and are usually plastic.
The use of polymer adsorbents for SVE off-gas treatment is not particularly well developed compared
to the use of activated carbon, but polymer adsorbents are more commonly used than zeolites. Dow
Chemical Company developed a polymer adsorbent (DOWEX OPTIPORE™) in 1997 designed for
adsorption of chlorinated VOCs from SVE and groundwater off-gases generated from site remediation
(RTN 1999a). Thermatrix Inc. (Thermatrix; formerly PURUS, Inc.) is currently marketing the PADRE®
system for SVE off-gas treatment in the United States. In general, the system resembles other
activated carbon and zeolite filter bed systems but uses a hydrophobic polymer adsorption medium
made by Dow Chemical Company. A regeneration loop feed from the adsorbent bed allows air flow
through a chiller and condenser, where contaminant chemicals are separated and drain to a waste
storage tank. Figure 4-5 shows a typical polymer adsorption system.
4_ •) 7 March 2006
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Figure 4-5. Polymer Adsorption System
Organic Vapors
. * f Wat
i J™
1 Dirt
er&i—
Trapj"^
Adsorbent
Beds
•4 1
[L
Condenser
„ 1
Tl
J
" Waste Product
Storage Tank
Clean A
Air Jl
fe)
V ~~" /
[JBIower J
Source: AFCEE 1995
4.3.2 Applicability
Because polymeric adsorption is non-selective in nature, this technology is applicable to a wide range
of VOCs and chlorinated VOCs and has been shown to be effective in various applications, including
SVE off-gas treatment. Thermatrix reports that the PADRE® system treated off-gases from an air
stripper containing PCE, TCE, TCA, and DCE at concentrations ranging from 1.8 to 9 ppmv (RTN
1999a). Other chemicals successfully treated using this polymeric adsorption technology include
freons, toluene, xylenes, aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols.
Polymer adsorption systems can be applied to a wide range of vapor flow rates. One manufacturer
reports that its systems have been used to treat vapor flow rates ranging from 100 to 10,000 scfm and
can accommodate mass loadings of up to 30 pounds of VOCs per hour (RTN 1999a).
Polymer adsorbents are much less sensitive to humidity compared to activated carbon, so they can be
applied to off-gas streams with humidity greater than 90 percent without the loss of adsorption
efficiency. Polymers are usually hydrophobic and do not adsorb water readily; however, they can be
specifically made with other affinities. For example, amphophilic block co-polymers can have both
hydrophilic and hydrophobic affinities (U.S. EPA 1999). Polymers, like carbon, have a linear
adsorption isotherm relative to vapor pressure (concentration) of VOCs; therefore, they are similar in
usefulness when concentrations of influent vapors are higher.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
The polymer bed capacity is somewhat lower than for zeolites but somewhat higher than for carbon.
Desorption time is less than for carbon or zeolite systems, and desorption requires lower temperatures.
Polymer adsorbents are also less prone to fires than carbon and are more structurally stable.
4.3.3 Limitations
Use of polymer adsorbents is not as effective for low VOC concentrations as carbon and zeolites since
polymer sorbents have linear adsorption isotherms relative to influent VOC concentrations. The cost of
polymer adsorbents is in the range of zeolites. For example, DOWEX OPTIPORE™ is $14 per pound.
Also, technical experience and results for polymer adsorbents in SVE off-gas applications are limited.
One manufacturer's system is not appropriate for air streams containing vinyl chloride because it is
difficult to maintain this compound in a condensed form during the system's regeneration cycle (RTN
1999a).
4.3.4 Performance
Polymer adsorption systems appear to be capable of achieving DREs greater than 95 percent. The
PADRE® process is an ex situ off-gas treatment technology marketed by Thermatrix. As of 1995, 30
field installations of this system existed, and the system is still commercially available today. This
system includes a regenerative component and involves one on-line treatment bed for influent air, and
another bed undergoes a desorption cycle. A controller switches the beds between adsorption and
desorption cycles. The desorption cycle uses a combination of heat, pressure, and nitrogen purge
gas. Contaminants are removed, condensed, and transferred as a liquid to a storage tank for
reclamation and disposal. The PADRE® system has been demonstrated to achieve 95 to more than
99 percent removal of several chlorinated VOCs, including TCE, PCE, DCE, and TCA. Outlet
concentrations were all reported as not detected (RTN 1999a).
A field demonstration of the PADRE® system was conducted in 1994 at Vandenburg AFB in California
to treat hydrocarbon vapors. Maximum soil gas concentrations at this site were 54,000 ppmv for
hydrocarbons and 400 ppmv for benzene. Treatment flow rates ranged from 20 to 49 scfm during the
110-day demonstration. Average removal rates for the PADRE® system were greater than 98 percent
for total hydrocarbons and greater than 99 percent for benzene. The cost of the demonstration was
$23 per kilogram of hydrocarbon removed (AFCEE 1995).
General Electric Company evaluated more than 100 adsorbents compared to activated carbon.
Commercial polyether/polyester block co-polymers and rubber were shown to have a high capacity for
adsorbing chlorinated VOCs in saturated vapors, but their capacity at low concentrations was orders of
magnitude below that of the other types of sorbents. This characteristic would severely limit the value
of synthetic polymers in environmental remediation applications. One polymeric sorbent, DOWEX
OPTIPORE™, was observed to be an excellent alternative to activated carbon. In general, it desorbed
faster and at lower temperatures than carbon and had at least as great or larger adsorption capacity in
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
either high or low humidity (U.S. EPA 1999); however, the maximum temperature for desorption must
exceed the boiling point for the VOC and not exceed the polymer's melting point.
Polymer materials can be regenerated using a combination of relatively low-temperature heat
(compared to GAC), pressure, and a nitrogen purge gas. Polymers vary from 50 to 90 percent in their
ability to adsorb contaminants after regeneration compared to the virgin material; carbon only has a 50
percent adsorption capacity after regeneration. Adsorbent beds used in the PADRE® system have
been recycled on a test basis more than 2,000 times, with no measurable loss of adsorption capacity.
Similar to zeolite adsorbents, polymeric adsorbents rarely need replacement (only slightly more
frequently than zeolite) because they are less sensitive to humidity and less subject to fire, crumbling,
or powdering (U.S. EPA 1999).
4.3.5 Engineering Considerations
The use of polymer adsorption systems is similar to that of carbon and zeolite adsorption systems.
Polymer adsorption systems can be designed as stand-alone units or combined in series and used as
add-on polishing treatment for less effective technologies. The effect of regeneration (as discussed in
Section 4.1.5) should be considered when the size of the synthetic polymer adsorption bed is
designed. This effect will reduce the working capacity and can therefore require up to twice as much
adsorbent in the bed. The capacity of the bed is based on the chemicals in the contaminant stream,
the concentrations of the chemicals, the air flow rate, the working capacity, and the regeneration
frequency. Because polymer regeneration is not needed as often as carbon regeneration, system
designers should perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine if off-site remote regeneration or on-site
regeneration is the most desirable.
4.3.6 Residuals Management
A residuals management concern for polymeric adsorption is that, like other adsorption technologies,
VOCs are captured and removed from air only. Follow-up treatment of the desorbed contaminants
may be required. The use of low temperatures during regeneration allows for more efficient
reclamation of solvents and other recyclable materials.
4.3.7 Cost and Economics
Limited cost information is available for polymer adsorbents. Information provided by a U.S. EPA
technical bulletin comparing carbon, zeolites, and polymer adsorbents indicates that the cost of
synthetic polymers is as much as 20 times that of activated carbon (U.S. EPA 1999). DOWEX
OPTIPORE™ is $14 per pound (RTN 1999a). The replacement frequency of polymer sorbents is far
less than for the other adsorbents.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Factors that significantly impact unit prices include initial contaminant concentration, volume of gas
stream to be treated, and target cleanup levels. For example, polymeric adsorption is generally not
cost-effective for streams with VOCs concentrations of less than 100 ppmv.
4.3.8 Developmental Status
Polymeric adsorption systems are a readily available technology for a variety of industrial applications
but do not appear to be used very frequently for SVE off-gas treatment applications. Consequently,
there is not much experience in the use of these sorbents for remediation applications. As of
September 1994, there were 23 PADRE® systems installed across the country (AFCEE 1995).
Polymeric adsorption systems likely have not been used as often for SVE off-gas treatment because of
the higher costs of the sorbent material and the substantial historical use of carbon for SVE off-gas
treatment.
In 1995, a site demonstration was performed at McClellan AFB in California. The 2-month study was
conducted using an elastomeric polymer filter medium to treat VOCs and petroleum hydrocarbons in
the vapor phase from a SVE system in operation at the site. The filter medium was a blend of cross-
linked polymer and activated carbon (PetroLOK™ PL22 by Advanced Water Systems). The site
contained soils impacted with TCE, cis-DCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride. One-hundred-pound
canisters placed between an air-water separator and a blower were tested and compared. The
canisters included the polymer/carbon blend and the polymer alone operating at flow rates of 11 to 35
cfm and inlet VOC concentrations of 350 to 740 ppmv. The polymer/carbon blend medium had a ORE
of 89 percent during the test but a maximum adsorptive capacity of only 15 percent. When the inlet
concentration was diluted 50 percent, the ORE increased to 99 percent. The polymer medium alone
was not observed to remove any VOCs from the off-gas stream. The overall performance of the
polymer/carbon media was about the same as the GAG used for the existing SVE system.
Under the U.S. EPA's "Waste Reduction Evaluation at Federal Sites," the PADRE® system was
successfully demonstrated at the Tinker AFB for the capture and recovery of MEK used in paint
stripping (RTN 1999a).
Vendors of this technology are listed below. This list is not meant to be comprehensive and was
developed from available literature and from Web sites providing descriptions of technologies
applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
• Thermatrix (formerly Purus Inc.); Blue Bell, PA; www.thermatrix.com
• Advanced Water Systems; Woodinville, WA; www.advanced-water.com
• DOW Chemical Company; Midland, Ml; www.dow.com
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
5.0 BIOFILTRATION TECHNOLOGIES
Biofiltration processes biologically degrade VOCs present in remediation off-gas streams using
microorganisms located on a fixed media. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, biofiltration has
been used increasingly throughout Europe (particularly in Germany and the Netherlands) and Japan
as an accepted technology for controlling VOCs and odors. The technology has treated various VOCs
and odor-producing compounds (such as hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, and air toxics) from a variety
of sources, including wastewater treatment plants and chemical and food processing facilities. By the
1990s, as many as 500 biofilters were in operation throughout Germany and the Netherlands (Leson
and Winer 1991).
Use of biofiltration as an air pollution control technology began in the United States during the 1990s.
The technology has been used to treat odors and HAPs from several sources, including composting
facilities, biological wastewater treatment plants, petroleum refineries, commercial bakeries, and
chemical manufacturing facilities. In the past 5 to 10 years, a number of different industries in the
United States have accepted biofiltration as an alternative to thermal and sorptive VOC control
technologies. Biofiltration can be a low-cost technology for treating off-gases generated from SVE
systems when BTEX components are the contaminants of concern, and DREs are generally greater
than 90 percent. Biofiltration offers the advantage of destroying the contaminant compared to carbon
adsorption, which merely transfers the contaminant to an adsorptive medium requiring further
treatment or disposal. However, according to several principal companies installing biofiltration units,
fewer than 20 full-scale biofiltration systems are currently treating off-gas vapors from soil and
groundwater remediation applications. In addition, many projects conducive to SVE and biofiltration
are also candidates for bioventing, unless air injection is infeasible for practical or safety reasons.
5.1 Technology Description
Biofiltration occurs within a bed or vessel of biologically active filter material called the "treatment cell."
This filter material acts as a support matrix for the location and attachment of microorganisms that
eventually form an aqueous biofilm. The microorganisms can include bacteria, heterotrophs,
oligotrophs, and fungi, and can be naturally occurring or added to the filter. The biofilm resides in the
moisture (water) layer, which coats the filter. Sometimes the filter also provides nutrients for the
microorganisms. As the contaminated vapor stream passes through the treatment cell, the filter does
not trap contaminants as in adsorption but rather retains them so that the organic contaminants diffuse
through the biofilm formed around the solid filter material. The microorganisms within the biofilm obtain
primary energy and carbon by oxidizing (consuming) the organic contaminants. The resultant end
products are usually carbon dioxide and water, plus mineral salts if the constituents contain molecules
such as sulfur, nitrogen, and chloride. The microorganisms regenerate themselves and ultimately die
and are recycled.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
A typical biofiltration system (both for SVE off-gas and industrial vapor stream treatment) involves the
general configuration and process components summarized below (Swanson and Loehr 1997).
Particulate Removal: Pre-treatment of the waste stream for particulate removal is performed to protect
downstream system components from particle build-up or clogging. Pre-treatment can be
accomplished with simple screen filters, more complex Venturi scrubbers, or electrostatic precipitators.
Flow Equalization: Depending on the design of the biofiltration system, the performance of the system
and microorganisms are often slow to respond to transient spikes in influent VOC concentrations. The
system can also be upset by such "shocks;" therefore, a flow equalization vessel (sometimes
containing GAC) leading to some type of diffuser may be used to dampen spikes and better distribute
peak VOC loadings on the biofilter unit. Uniform distribution of the influent stream is required to ensure
that the vapor contact time with the biofilm is adequate for consistent contaminant DREs.
Humidification Regulation: Humidity is the single most important parameter affecting biofilter
performance. The influent vapor stream's relative humidity should be as close to 99 percent as
possible. Moisture content is typically maintained by humidifying the influent vapor stream before it
enters the filter bed using equipment such as quench ducts, atomizing nozzles, and packed towers.
This technique prevents moisture and chemicals targeted for treatment from being stripped from the
filter material as the vapor stream passes through it. The moisture is also necessary to allow the
microorganisms (and thus biofilm) to develop. Many systems use an overhead spraying mechanism to
add moisture and nutrients to the filter material.
Temperature Regulation: Temperature regulation is also important for both the microorganisms and
efficient adsorption of the contaminants in the biofilter. For example, mesophilic bacteria that operate
in biofilters have an optimal temperature range of 50 to 105 °F. Metabolic rates of bacteria can double
with each 10 °F increase in temperature. Temperature and humidity of the influent vapor stream are
somewhat interdependent. The influent vapor stream may need to be heated or cooled to the optimal
temperature for microbial activity prior to being passed through the biofilter. Most SVE off-gas
treatment systems are exposed to ambient conditions and often require heat input unless insulated
adequately. Heating can be accomplished by injecting steam or by direct heating of the air stream
using natural gas or electricity. Cooling can be accomplished with evaporative or forced cooling (heat
exchanger). Humidification and temperature regulation are generally performed during the same step,
although heating of the gas stream may sometimes precede humidification.
Residence Time in Filter Bedding: A typical parameter frequently used to describe biofilters is empty
bed contact time (EBCT). EBCT represents a standard measure of gas residence time and is used to
compare the design of different biofilters and the effects of different mass loadings within the same
biofilter. EBCT is the bulk volume of the filter material divided by the volumetric flow through the
system; therefore, the inlet gas flow rate (blower design) may affect the mass transfer driving force
from vapor to biofilm and require adjustments in residence time. The average gas residence time is a
function of the porosity and moisture content of the filter bedding material. Together, these parameters
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
comprise the effective porosity of the media. Choice of biofilter media can affect pressure drop and
compaction rates, which can vary substantially for different media and impact residence time. Actual
residence time will vary depending on how evenly the air flows through the biofilter. An EBCT of 1 to 2
minutes is generally considered the upper limit for cost-effective treatment using biofiltration (Leson
and Smith 1997). Lesser residence times may not result in sufficient treatment, and longer times could
make the biofilter too big to be cost-effective.
Measurement and Control: Depending on the location and sensitivity of the biofiltration system,
operation and performance measurement and programmable logic controller equipment may be
necessary. Information can be directly observed at the system or by remote monitoring and controlled
using system collection and data acquisition designs. Typical measurement parameters include pH,
temperature, head loss, moisture, air flow rate, influent and effluent concentrations, biomass, and
DREs.
Biofiltration reactor units can vary greatly in size and shape depending on the contaminants to be
removed from the waste stream and the required ORE. Most biofiltration systems used to treat low-
flow remediation off-gas streams are fully enclosed vessels or columns. Column systems may range
in size from a few inches to a few feet in diameter and from approximately 3 to 10 feet in height. Many
small systems employ 55-gallon drums packed with filter media. One or more biofiltration vessels can
be stacked or aligned in series to improve performance. Other types of biofiltration systems are open-
top bed systems. Typical SVE system flow rates range from 100 to 1,500 scfm. Large systems are
usually rectangular and resemble light industrial/commercial buildings. These systems are mainly
used to treat industrial process emissions with high flow rates. One of the largest industrial biofiltration
systems in the world is located in Germany and has 85,000 cubic feet of filter material. In the
Netherlands, there are biofiltration systems with flow rates of up to 240,000 cfm. Figure 5-1 shows a
schematic diagram of a typical biofiltration process.
Figure 5-1. Typical Biofiltration System
Ducting
Raw Gas •** I
Blower
Filter Media
Air Distribution
System
Biofilter
Humidifier Drainage
Source: U.S. EPA 1995b
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
5.2 Applicability
Biofiltration has been used successfully in commercial applications in the United States and Europe
but does not have a long history or a large number of case studies for use with SVE systems.
Commercial applications include petrochemical, furniture manufacturing, various food industry, and
printing operations. Vendor information indicates that biofilters can also be used to control chemical
and odor emissions from a variety of manufacturing operations, including petroleum refining, chemical
processing, wood and paper processing, wastewater treatment, and paint spraying (RTN 1999a).
Specific classes of compounds that are readily biodegradable in biofilters include mono-aromatic
hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones. Biofilters have also been used with mixtures of
VOCs including compounds such as hydrogen sulfide that create problematic byproducts when
oxidized, such as sulfuric acids that kill the microbes. In such cases, two-stage reactors can be
constructed. The first stage can use (1) non-compacting inert media that are acid-resistant to treat the
low-pH hydrogen sulfide or (2) calcium carbonate minerals to neutralize the pH. The second stage
then treats the other VOCs at a more neutral pH. Depending on the application, biofilters can also be
designed to accept continuous low flows of aqueous waste streams. These types of biofilters are also
known as "biotrickling filters." Biotrickling filters can operate as up-flow reactors with open tops and as
enclosed, insulated reactors with engineered media.
In the last few years, approximately 100 smaller systems (less than 500 cfm) have been used to treat
landfill gas collected using SVE as well as gasoline vapors from SVE systems at many U.S. service
stations (Skladany and others 1995; Bohn Biofilter Corporation 2005). Biofiltration is most effective in
treating vapor streams from SVE systems remediating leaking USTs at gas stations. These systems
require the destruction of aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbons as well as aromatic compounds such as
BTEX compounds. Bacteria degrade simple short-chained compounds first, then successively larger
compounds (such as C-8 aliphatics), then aromatics. Hydrocarbons up to the heavier constituents in
JP-4 and JP-5 jet fuels (which are likely to be removed by a typical SVE system) are the simplest
compounds to treat using biofiltration. Higher molecular weight compounds require longer EBCT for
complete oxidation, making removal of these compounds by biofiltration somewhat less economical.
Biofilters may be used to treat relatively dilute VOC concentrations of typically less than 1,500 total
ppmv, although concentrations as high as 5,000 ppmv can be treated. Treatment efficiency depends
on the mix of the compounds and the duration of the mass load. If concentrations vary widely in the
influent over time, the bacteria may not adapt to the variety of compounds or high concentrations.
Higher concentrations may become toxic to microorganisms and inhibit biodegradation of the waste
stream (Leson and Winer 1991; RTN 1999b, c, and h).
Biofilter systems have been designed and installed to treat vapor flow rates ranging from less than 100
to approximately 240,000 cfm (RTN 1999a). For most SVE applications, system flow rates typically
range from 100 to 1,500 scfm. In general, higher vapor or mass flow rates require larger biofilter
designs to maintain the required ORE and necessary EBCT.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
SVE off-gas treatment systems are typically designed with emphasis on high initial expected off-gas
contaminant concentrations and an assumed short duration of SVE system operation. Based on these
criteria, biofiltration would likely be limited for most SVE off-gas applications; however, off-gas
concentrations generally quickly decline to substantially less than initial levels. In addition, SVE
remediation systems are often operated for longer than initial design expectations. When these factors
are taken into account, biofiltration may be applicable to a greater number of sites.
Biofiltration systems can be designed to operate with other off-gas treatment technologies as well. The
most common companion technology used with biofiltration is activated carbon to "polish" the biofilter
effluent. In this way, temporary system upsets are readily managed.
5.3 Limitations
A significant limitation to biofiltration is its sensitivity to variations in operating parameters such as
moisture content, temperature, pH, and nutrient levels. This sensitivity is likely because the system
incorporates living microorganisms. Constant monitoring and maintenance of these operating
parameters is necessary to sustain the microorganisms and achieve the required contaminant removal
rates. System performance can also be upset by a build-up of biomass within the treatment cell;
therefore, frequent backwashing of the system is required.
Most biofiltration systems in operation are used for odor reduction for wastewater treatment facilities
and food processing operations or as an air pollution control technology for VOC emissions from
industrial operations. Therefore, another limitation is the lack of data associated with the limited
number of systems used specifically for SVE applications.
Most biofilter systems experience an initial period of low or no contaminant removal while the
microorganisms acclimate to the contaminants and multiply to sufficient quantities. This initial
acclimation period can be as long as 30 days; therefore, biofilters are not reliable for maximum
contaminant DREs after installation. Interruptions in system operation will also result in brief periods of
reduced DREs immediately after system restart. For these reasons, biofilters may not be appropriate
when intermittent or cycled operation of an SVE system is planned (such as during the later stages of
site remediation).
As discussed in Section 5.2, biofiltration is limited to relatively low concentrations of total VOCs (0 to
5,000 ppmv, with an optimum concentration of no more than 1,500 ppmv). In addition, depending on
the mass loading and design of the treatment system, a relatively stable variety of influent constituents
that are degradable is also required. Excessive influent concentrations could be managed by diluting
the vapor stream with ambient air to avoid this limitation. This dilution may cause the volumetric flow
rates to increase and the size of the unit to provide the necessary EBCT may no longer be
economically feasible or practical for the location.
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The type of contaminants targeted for treatment is also very important. For example, a 50,000-cfm
vapor stream with an ethylbenzene concentration of only 50 ppm could be treated using biofiltration,
but the residence time would be about 4 minutes and therefore would not be feasible given economic
limitations. In contrast, a system with the same flow rate and 50-ppm concentration of MEK would only
require a residence time of 25 seconds, making biofiltration a very feasible treatment option.
Another limitation is that DREs can drop as the concentration of the vapor stream drops. Depending
on the VOCs involved, the mass transfer limitation, and not the biodegradation rate, would control the
biofilter at low concentrations. For volatile but only slightly soluble VOCs, therefore, diffusion into the
biofilter may decrease, causing a decrease in ORE.
Based on the DREs that are attainable for a given biofilter design and influent vapor stream, this
technology may not be effective in achieving strict regulatory emission standards that exceed 99.8
percent, for example. This technology can be successful at attaining performance-based reductions
such as those of some agencies for limiting the total mass discharged to a certain number of pounds of
VOCs per year.
Chlorinated VOCs such as PCE and TCE are not effectively treated by biofiltration. These VOCs are
not highly water-soluble or easy to biodegrade. Highly aerobic conditions achieve good removal of
light to moderately halogenated organics. Heavily halogenated species appear to require anaerobic or
co-metabolic (added methane, propane, or aromatics) conditions for at least the first stages of
decomposition. The limited data regarding the use of biofiltration to treat chlorinated VOCs indicates
that biofiltration is not yet applicable to these compounds on a commercial basis. Likewise, the current
generation of biofilters does not address other complex compounds on a commercial scale. One
exception is MTBE, which studies have shown is destroyed at a high efficiency rate by biofilters (Fortin
and Deshusses 1999).
5.4 Performance
Consistent DREs of greater than 90 percent have been achieved for many common air pollutants in
industrial off-gas treatment systems. Information regarding performance of biofilters for SVE off-gas
treatment is only now becoming available as their use increases. To monitor performance, various
methods are used, including interval and continuous monitoring of influent, effluent, or both. U.S. EPA
Methods 25 and 25A are often used to monitor total VOCs. Methane is poorly filtered out of most air
streams and can yield false-positive results because methane is not usually of regulatory concern. In
addition, some analytical detectors have a low response to certain chemicals, and high relative
humidity can affect instrument readings. Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy testing can yield
better confirmation of influent and effluent concentrations.
Mass loading is an important parameter that directly relates to the performance of a biofilter. Mass
loading is the amount of contaminant that can be applied per volume of filter material within a given
time period. It is typically expressed in units of grams per cubic meters per hour (g/m3/hr) and ranges
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from approximately 10 to 150 g/m3/hour. SVE biofiltration systems, which often treat slightly less
biodegradable hydrocarbons than alcohols and ketones, usually achieve the lower end of this range.
The mass-loading rate of a particular system is dictated by the required ORE (Swanson and Loehr
1997).
The maximum elimination capacity (MEC) is a measure of a biofilter's capacity to remove
contaminants at a given mass-loading rate and is used to define the effectiveness of biofiltration
systems. MECs vary for different chemicals, filter materials, and operating conditions, and are ideally
equal to or slightly greater than the mass loading rate. Mass loading rates that exceed the MECs may
result in system clogging and/or toxic conditions that inhibit biodegradation (RTN 1999g). In addition,
regardless of the DREs of a particular biofilter, the filter will have a finite mass removal limit before it
requires recharging and re-start-up. This limit depends on compaction, longevity of filter media, and
limitations on maximum biological growth.
At optimum conditions, biofiltration has been demonstrated to effectively treat VOC waste streams;
however, biofilters are relatively sensitive to deviations in system inputs. Fluctuations in contaminant
concentrations, air stream moisture content, and flow rates will all substantially affect biofilter
performance. For example, a laboratory study of BTEX removal using biofiltration reported greater
than 95 percent removal for all BTEX compounds at an EBCT as low as 1 minute and a mass loading
of 4.2 kilograms of chemical oxygen demand per cubic meter per day (Sorial and others 1997). The
overall ORE dropped to 88 percent when the mass loading was increased to 6.2 kilograms of chemical
oxygen demand per cubic meter per day, and the EBCT decreased to 40 seconds. Another study
reported DREs of greater than 95 percent for the following compounds when the influent
concentrations of these constituents were below 300 ppmv: styrene, methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde,
MEK, ethyl acetate, ammonia esters, ethers, and phenol (RTN 1999h).
Provided that optimum conditions are maintained, a properly designed biofilter should achieve greater
than 90 and perhaps more than 95 percent ORE. Vendors report better than 99 percent removal of
hydrogen sulfide, 95 to 99 percent removal of odors (ENSR 2004b), and greater than 90 percent
removal of VOCs (RTN 1999c). The high DREs occur, however, only after steady-state operating
conditions have been achieved (Neumann 1998).
DREs for biofilters are very much related to the biofilter matrix used. Certain materials provide more
optimum porosity, a wider microorganism population, more adsorption capacity, or better pH buffering.
In bench-scale testing, a number of organic biofilter media were evaluated for the treatment of
hydrocarbon fuel vapors from both jet fuel and diesel fuel (Hodge and others 1991). Activated carbon
was a better filter medium than soil, diatomaceous earth, or a combination of carbon and
diatomaceous earth. Jet fuel vapors were removed more rapidly than diesel fuel vapors, and the
concentrations declined linearly, signifying zero-order kinetics with respect to the substrate
concentration. Chang and Devinny (1996) document a bench-scale study in which GAC, bark
compost, and yard compost were evaluated for biofiltration effectiveness on JP-4 jet fuel vapors. GAC
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had a good efficiency and tolerated load shocks well, whereas yard compost had slow acclimation,
good shock recovery, excellent ORE (more than 99 percent) but significant compaction.
DREs also vary depending on the type of contaminants treated. Three published studies indicate that
biofilters can be expected to have DREs of 90 percent or greater for BTEX compounds in off-gas from
SVE systems but less for total VOCs and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal (Leson and
Smith 1997; Wright and others 1997; Swanson and Loehr 1997). The reduction in ORE depends on
the site-specific mass transfer from the gas phase to the filter media. Leson and Smith (1997) present
results from a field pilot study funded by the Petroleum Environmental Research Forum, a consortium
of several major oil companies that confirmed aromatic removal greater than 90 percent at residence
times of less than 1 minute. The removal of total VOCs, however, only exceeded 70 percent and
required substantially longer residence times (Skladany and others 1995).
The DREs for biofilters used for eight gasoline service station SVE systems in Arizona averaged 90
percent for TPH, 95 percent for BTEX, and 80 percent for aliphatic petroleum VOCs (Bohn Biofilter
Corporation 2003). Biofiltration research for MTBE, another compound often present in SVE off-gas
from petroleum remediation, has begun to show promise. Fortin and Deshusses (1999) report greater
than 97 percent removal of MTBE when the system was allowed an acclimation period of 6 months.
From August 1995 to April 1996, a full-scale biofilter was contracted by Black and Veatch to treat jet
fuel from an enhanced SVE system at March AFB, Site 18 (Chang and Devinny 1996; TRG 2004).
Bench-scale modeling tests showed compost media to be effective. The full-scale biofilter (18 cubic
yards) was operated at 100 to 180 cfm continuously 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Influent
concentrations ranged from 128 to 1,400 ppmv, and the biofilter had an acclimation period of 2 to 3
weeks. The DRE of the full-scale biofilter was greater than 90 percent; however, the project was not
run long enough to determine the longevity of the filter media. Key performance factors included
consistent airflow, proper insulation of the biofilter, maintenance of adequate moisture conditions, and
prevention of short-circuiting of the influent air.
Many chlorinated VOCs are not effectively treated by conventional biofilters because of the function of
the microbial degradation mechanisms required (anaerobic or co-metabolic). Chlorinated VOCs can
degrade the biofiltration performance for non-chlorinated VOCs (Neumann 1998). Biofiltration of
chlorinated VOCs is a field of ongoing research. Aerobic biodegradation of the most prevalent
chlorinated VOCs (such as TCE) extracted by SVE systems occurs co-metabolically. Cox and others
(1998) indicate that under appropriate reduction-oxidation and substrate conditions, the DRE for TCE
could exceed 95 percent for a co-metabolic biofilter intermittently fed toluene as a co-metabolite;
however, data from several studies showed relatively poor DREs for these types of systems (the
maximum DRE reported was 74 percent) (Lewis and McPherson 1996; Devinny and Hodge 1995;
Tonga and Magar 1997).
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5.5 Engineering Considerations
Moisture content, temperature, pH, nutrient levels, contaminant concentrations, air flow, and influent
constituents all must be continuously monitored and maintained at optimum levels for proper biofilter
performance. Deviations from optimum ranges can result in system upset. Because biofiltration
systems are sensitive to relatively minor fluctuations of these parameters and because many
parameters are inter-related, significant engineering effort is required to specify and design a proper
biofilter for a site-specific application.
Three important engineering considerations that must be known or at least estimated prior to use of a
biofilter for SVE off-gas treatment are (1) the chemical constituents in the vapor, (2) the concentrations
of the system influent constituents, and (3) the allowable effluent concentrations required to meet
regulatory standards. Pretreatment of the inlet stream can be performed using GAC to prevent
unacceptable discharges during the initial acclimation period of the biofilter and to control influent
concentration spikes. However, use of GAC with a biofilter could increase both the capital and
operating costs.
If particulates are present in the SVE off-gas, they may clog either a GAC pre-filter or the biofilter. A
simple bag or screen mesh filter can be used to filter particulates, which are typically measured using
U.S. EPA Method PM-10. More complex systems for particulate removal of industrial off-gases include
Venturi scrubbers or electrostatic precipitators. Additionally, water-soluble condensed chemical
constituents may accumulate in pre-filters, requiring monitoring and management. For off-gases with
particulates that are both filterable and condensable, monitoring can be performed using U.S. EPA
Method 5 for the front-half of the filter and U.S. EPA Method 202 for back-half condensables. Filters
used in certain applications may also become clogged from slime growth of microorganisms caused by
high humidity.
Moisture content is probably the most critical parameter associated with biofilter performance. Biofilter
ORE is directly related to the health of the biodegrading microbial population, which is related to the
filter media moisture content. Insufficient moisture can inhibit diffusion of the contaminants through the
biofilm. If conditions are extremely dry, channelization of the media and excessive fungal growth can
occur. For these reasons, the influent air should remain moist at all times and be brought to saturation
humidity to prevent wide fluctuations in moisture content. Relative humidity also changes with the
ambient conditions; therefore, these parameters should be measured and logged. Depending on the
level of humidification necessary, atomizing nozzles or packed towers can be used. If the media dries
out, spray irrigation can be used. However, humidifiers can also cause slime growth to develop on the
packed beds of the biofilter. This growth can be removed by cleaning, washing, and re-loading the
bedding material. However, the problem often recurs. Biocides typically used in cooling towers are
not recommended as carryover to the biofilter media because they can impair the microorganisms.
Conversely, too much moisture can also adversely affect system performance. Elevated moisture
levels reduce the interfacial area between the biomass and the vapor stream, which reduces the ability
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of oxygen and contaminants to diffuse through the biofilm. Elevated moisture content can also reduce
the effective porosity of the media and impede gas flow so that anaerobic zones develop. Decreased
porosity can result in increased back-pressure and increased overall operating cost of the system.
Biofilter moisture targets are within the range of 40 to 60 percent relative humidity (Swanson and Loehr
1997; Leson and Winer 1991). De-misters can help prevent excess water carryover into the filter
media, often by decreasing the off-gas velocity in ducts or pipes carrying the off-gas to the biofilter
(PPC Biofilter Inc. 2004). Maintaining uniform moisture in the media is often more important than
trying to keep an optimal target moisture level; however, this situation depends on the biofilter media.
Moisture content also plays a role in modifying the influent gas temperature. Most gas streams do not
automatically fit operational requirements and must be conditioned before entering the biofilter. The
temperature of the system should be between 77 and 95 °F for optimal microbial biodegradation
(Swanson and Loehr 1997). Based on the minimum air temperatures necessary for optimum biofilter
operation and the effect moisture has on temperature when it is added to maintain humidity, a
minimum wet-bulb temperature of 70 °F should be specified.
Wet-bulb temperature is measured using a standard mercury-in-glass thermometer, with the
thermometer bulb wrapped in muslin that is kept wet. The evaporation of water from the thermometer
has a cooling effect, so the temperature indicated by the wet-bulb thermometer is less than the
temperature indicated by a dry-bulb (normal unmodified) thermometer. The rate of evaporation from
the wet-bulb thermometer depends on the humidity of the air; evaporation is slower when the air is
already full of water vapor. For this reason, the difference in the temperatures indicated by the two
thermometers gives a measure of atmospheric humidity. An increase of the wet-bulb temperature of
1 °F can typically increase ORE by 1 percent. When air is cold and dry, wet-bulb thermometer
temperature can be increased by injecting steam into the gas. Within limits, the higher the operating
temperature, the more active the bacteria and the shorter the residence time necessary, thereby
requiring less biofilter mass. Metabolic rates of bacteria can double with about every 10 °F increase in
temperature. Although increasing temperature will enhance the physical properties of the biofilm
(solubility, molecular diffusivity, and bacterial metabolism), it will adversely affect the physical
properties of the contaminants in the gas state (vapor pressure and Henry's law constant).
Temperature adjustments are usually performed during or prior to the humidification step. If the
temperature is greater than 105 °F, the air stream requires cooling such as with a heat exchanger or
packed cooling tower. If the temperature is less than 50 °F, the influent requires heating such as with
steam or a heater. The influent stream temperature and the exothermic biological reactions that occur
within the filter affect the system temperature. Elevated temperatures can result in evaporation of
moisture from the filter bed, thereby reducing system ORE. Any heat generated during biological
reaction can be recovered and used to heat the system influent stream; however, because most SVE
off-gas treatment systems are exposed to ambient conditions, they more often require heat input
unless they are well insulated.
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The filter materials used in the design of a biofiltration system should have the following properties
(Swanson and Loehr 1997):
• High moisture and nutrient retention properties to sustain microbial growth
• A large specific surface area to allow sufficient contact between the vapor-phase compounds
and the biologically active material present in the biofilm
• Adequate and relatively uniform porosity to promote even distribution of air flow through the
filter materials and to minimize pressure drop through the system
• Ability to maintain a relatively constant and neutral pH
• A low bulk density to minimize the potential for compaction of the material during use
Two types of media are typically used within the filter bed: (1) organic biofilters consisting of soil and
compost, leaves, wood, bark, peat, or other organic materials are one common form, and (2) synthetic
filter media consists of inert agents such as perlite, vermiculite, polystyrene spheres, or GAC
(Swanson and Loehr 1997).
The specific advantages and disadvantages summarized below are associated with each type of filter
material.
• Organic filter materials have an inherent nutrient supply, so the addition of nutrients is often not
necessary. The nutrients within the reactor will be exhausted eventually, and then
supplemental nutrients are necessary or the filter bed must be replaced. Organic filter
materials are better at retaining moisture than synthetic filter materials.
• Organic filter materials typically have a wide range of indigenous microorganisms; therefore,
shorter acclimation periods are required.
• Organic filters generally eliminate the need to dispose of spent filter material as a regulated
solid waste; however, this advantage depends on site-specific situations. Used compost can
generally be returned to the earth without environmental impact (Leson and Winer 1991).
• Organic filter materials are subject to compaction ("aging"), which reduces the porosity of the
material (Serial and others 1997; Swanson and Loehr 1997); therefore, organic filter materials
need to be replaced more often than synthetic materials.
• Synthetic filter materials are more durable and may have higher surface areas for contact
between the biomass and the vapor-phase contaminants. These materials typically require the
addition of nutrients with the humidifying water spray.
Some vendors have used soil as a biofilter media. However, soil has a large pressure drop and is not
economically feasible on large gas streams (10,000 to 100,000 cfm) because the fan blowers required
must be very large resulting in significant power consumption. Organic media are relatively dense and
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
therefore require a larger footprint for a given system. It is possible to produce biofilters that are
stackable in series up to 15 to 20 feet tall in order to reduce the footprint of the system. However,
because of density and potential compaction of the biofilter media, consistent air velocities become an
issue. For example, stacking compost or peat biofilters is not practical because air velocities greater
than 10 fpm usually cannot be sustained. Also, wood-based media experience more fungal growth,
which can increase the pressure drop over time. To overcome these problems, a portion of inert
media can be added to create an engineered media, which would decrease compaction and the
resulting pressure drop and allow use of a smaller fan with a smaller electrical cost. Engineered media
allow velocities of greater than 20 fpm but are often hydrophobic and do not have uniform moisture
holding capacity. Media with a very large void fraction may attain velocities of 40 fpm but experience a
net loss of mass transfer of vapor-phase constituents from the gas phase to the biofilm.
The microorganisms used for a biofilter can come from a number of sources. Often, they are present
in the compost media itself and are used as the inoculum because of their diverse existing population.
In other cases, microorganisms are derived from sludges or acclimated cultures derived from the
contaminated soil or groundwater. Some acclimation period is always necessary, whether for the
organisms to become stable in a consortium of other organisms or for them to multiply and seed the
entire biofilter with enough biomass to biodegrade the influent effectively. In very few cases, seeding
of unique strains of organisms into the biofilter may be required, such as when degradation of
recalcitrant compounds is necessary. Reseeding may be necessary if toxic shock loads or other
hostile environments (such as low pH) affect the microorganisms.
As described above, biological activity is directly related to temperature. DREs of greater than 98
percent at a temperature of 95 °F have been observed to drop to 70 percent as the temperature fell
below 65 °F. This factor is an important design consideration because ambient air to decrease
contaminant concentrations may also decrease the temperature of the off-gas. The supply of nutrients
to a growing and metabolizing population of microorganisms is important in sustaining biological
activity within the filter material. Nutrient addition is a well-known process, and specific guidelines on
the required level of nutrients to support microbial health are available in numerous texts on the
subject. Because the biofilter is continually used, the nutrients available to the microorganisms may no
longer be sufficient for the biomass or may require supplementation. When filter media or biomass
become exhausted, the biofilter is often replaced or recharged and restarted.
Generally, optimum microbial degradation occurs at pH readings of 7 to 8. Biodegradation of VOCs
can produce acidic intermediate byproducts that can reduce the pH of the system and upset system
performance. To overcome the potential for pH reduction within the biofilter, buffering materials (such
as lime, marl, and crushed oyster shells) are often added to the filter media. Buffering solution can be
added along with moisture and nutrient additions by overhead spraying mechanisms. System
performance can also be affected by build-up of biomass within the reactor vessel (such as slime
growth or fungal mats), which reduces the filter bed surface area available for biodegradation (Alonso
and others 1998) and also increases the pressure drop over the filter bed.
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5.6 Residuals Management
Depending on the type of waste being treated, degradation of organic contaminants can result in the
generation of acidic intermediates or byproducts. Acidic intermediates occur when the mass loading
(VOC concentration) exceeds the MEC. In such cases, the contaminant is only partially degraded and
acidic intermediates accumulate. Devinny and Hodge (1995) identify the formation of acetaldehyde
and acetic acid when laboratory-scale biofilters were overloaded with ethanol. When the system
operated under well-balanced influent concentrations, the acetaldehyde and acetic acid were rapidly
degraded and acidic intermediate products were avoided.
Acidic end-products may also result from the biodegradation of some pollutants, including sulfur or
nitrogen-containing compounds and chlorinated hydrocarbons (Leson and Winer 1991). The products
that can form include sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid (Swanson and Loehr 1997). If this
build-up becomes excessive and the biofilter becomes inactive, the entire filter media may require
disposal. This situation is however, an extreme scenario.
As discussed in Section 5.5, use of compost biofilters eliminates the need to dispose of spent filter
material such as activated carbon as a solid or hazardous waste. If an activated carbon pre-filter is
used, it must be handled as either a hazardous or special waste, depending on the chemical
concentrations it has adsorbed. Dust and particulate filters can usually be managed as general trash.
After the filter media are spent, if no contaminants of concern adsorbed to the media, the media can be
disposed as universal waste or recycled. For example, compost media can be reused as regular
compost at nurseries or as landfill cover material.
Biofiltration systems may also require periodic backwashing to remove excess biomass or slime.
Alonso and others (1998) found that build-up of excess biomass in a laboratory-scale biofilter led to
significant loss of system ORE resulting from channeling or short-circuiting. The handling of biomass
wastes depends on the waste composition and local ordinances, but after dewatering, these wastes
may be managed as either a hazardous, special, or municipal waste.
If any chemicals condense out of the influent gas, they will generate a waste stream that may require
additional management. This situation is not common but occurs when the influent gas stream is
much warmer than the ambient temperature of the biofilter. During cooling (either naturally or forced),
heavier molecular weight compounds can condense in ducts and piping leading into the biofilter. In
addition, condensates can form on pre-filters that are not heated. Typically, these condensates are in
liquid form and can also develop during humidification. System operators must manage and properly
dispose of condensate and other liquid residuals based on their chemical composition and local
regulatory requirements. Depending on the flow volume and composition, discharge to a publicly
operated treatment works may be an option.
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5.7 Cost and Economics
Biofiltration is often more economical than activated carbon or thermal treatment when airflow rates are
high and concentrations are less than 3,000 ppm (or more frequently, below 1,000 ppm). Start-up
costs are generally comparable to conventional technologies such as carbon adsorption and thermal
treatment, but O&M costs are substantially lower. The lower operating costs for biofilter systems are
the main advantage of these systems.
Capital costs depend on the size of the reactor, which depends on the flow rate, chemical composition,
and chemical concentrations. Operating costs largely correspond to electricity and natural gas
consumption, water usage, and disposal of the media. These factors in turn are also related to the
size of the unit. In general, most operating costs come from operating humidifier pumps and blower
fans.
Cost data for biofilter treatment of SVE off-gas are limited because not many projects use biofilters as
part of a SVE system. FRTR (2004) reports a unit cost for biofiltration of $0.60 to $1.50 per 100,000
cubic feet of off-gas treated. This cost combines both capital and operational costs into the unit cost
and appears to be for a large system and independent of the concentrations in the air stream. FRTR
(2004) also reports a unit cost (capital and operation costs included) of $2.27 to $4.55 per pound of
contaminant treated. However, these cost ranges are not necessarily applicable to SVE systems, and
project-specific details are unknown, such as filter media, capital or operational cost breakdown,
contaminants, or concentrations.
The following examples of biofiltration projects are provided to further illustrate the range of costs
relative to key factors in biofiltration treatment.
Cost estimates were developed for off-gas treatment at an industrial printing press operation with a
flow rate of 6,000 cfm and eight separate VOCs in the influent at concentrations of 0.1 pound per hour
(Ib/hr) (methanol) to 19.2 Ib/hr (propanol). Biofiltration and regenerative Cat-Ox systems were
compared, and biofiltration was observed to be the most economical alternative for treating the off-gas
stream. The total cost for the biofiltration system over 5 years was $413,500, which included $342,000
for capital costs; $4,300 for operating costs; and $50,000 for media replacement over 5 years. The
total cost for the regenerative Cat-Ox system over 5 years was $628,200, which included $350,000 for
capital costs; $43,400 for operating costs; and $61,200 for catalyst replacement over 5 years. The low
operating cost of biofiltration reduced the 5-year costs significantly (PPC Biofilter Inc. 2004).
Another biofiltration project included eight separate biofilter systems installed at former and operating
service stations in Arizona to address SVE off-gas associated with leaking USTs. Each system had a
capacity of approximately 50 cfm drawing vapors from one to three wells using compost as the biofilter
media. BTEX ORE was 95 percent, TPH DRE was 90 percent, and aliphatic ORE was 80 percent.
The duration of these projects ranged from 12 to 36 months, and closure at the sites was completed.
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Capital costs for biofiltration at each site were $8,000, with an operating cost of approximately $200 per
month (Bohn Biofilter Corporation 2003).
5.8 Developmental Status
Biofiltration is a readily available technology offered by several vendors. Off-the-shelf units are
available for smaller flow rates (up to 5,000 cfm); larger flow rates require custom-designed steel or
synthetic tanks, masonry structures, or in-ground beds. Currently, commercial biofilters are only
applicable for SVE systems that treat non-chlorinated VOCs. Several companies and universities are
currently researching the use of biofilters to treat chlorinated VOCs and MTBE.
Because many factors require evaluation to engineer a biofilter for a particular application, a pilot test
of a smaller unit (approximately 250 cfm) for an acclimation period of 2 weeks and an operation period
of 60 days is often warranted. Based on the results of such a test, applicability of a biofilter to a site-
specific air stream can be determined, operating parameters can be modified, and the full-scale
biofilter system can be designed. Typical costs for pilot-plant operation range from $15,000 to
$25,000, and several vendors have packaged plants for rent to accomplish the pilot testing.
Vendors of this technology are listed below. This list is not meant to be comprehensive and was
developed from mention in literature and from Web sites providing descriptions of technologies
applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
• Air & Water Solutions, Inc.; Nutley, NJ; www.cleanairplant.com
• Biocube, Inc. (formerly EG&G Biofiltration); Victor, NY; www.biocube.com
• Bio Reaction Industries, LLC; Tualatin, OR; www.bioreaction.com
• Bohn Biofilter Corporation; Tucson, AZ; www.bohnbiofilter.com
• Envirogen/Shaw; Lawrenceville, NJ; www.shawgrp.com
• Matrix Environmental Technologies Inc.; Orchard Park, NY; www.rnatrixbiotech.com
• PPC Air Pollution Control; Longview, TX; www.ppcbio.com
• The Reynolds Group; Tustin, CA; www.revnolds-group.com
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6.0 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
A number of emerging technologies that have been applied and developed show promise for treating
SVE off-gases. They include non-thermal plasma, photolytic and photocatalytic technologies,
membrane separation, absorption, and vapor condensation technologies. Information on the use of
these emerging technologies for SVE off-gas treatment is limited compared to the more
commercialized processes described in Sections 3.0 through 5.0; therefore, the format of this section
is modified to discuss only the technology description and applicability; developmental status;
performance; and engineering considerations, limitations, and costs.
Because these technologies are more in the research and testing stage for SVE applications, the
information presented herein may change more rapidly than for more commercialized technologies;
therefore, if any of these emerging technologies are of particular interest, it may be desirable to
perform additional literature investigation to explore new relevant information on the performance,
limitations, and state of development for these technologies.
6.1 Non-Thermal Plasma Technologies
Plasma is a gaseous state where molecules or atoms are broken apart to form ions, radicals, and free
electrons. In general, non-thermal plasma techniques do not use direct heat or flame but instead use
electric fields or energetic beams to destroy vapor-phase contaminants by breaking the molecules into
radicals and highly energetic electrons. Non-thermal plasmas operate at 85 to 250 °F but can produce
the same radicals and other reactive species normally associated with high-temperature reactions.
High-temperature plasma techniques may operate at 3,600 to 18,000 °F. High-temperature plasmas
are more commonly used in industrial applications, allow either liquid or gaseous feed streams, and
completely destroy any complex molecules.
Under suitable operating conditions in non-thermal plasma treatment, the free radicals formed during
the process recombine into non-toxic, simple compounds that can be released to the atmosphere.
Non-thermal plasma treatment can achieve high DREs for a wide range of chemicals in off-gases
generated from SVE systems.
6.1.1 Technology Description and Applicability
Variations of non-thermal plasma technology include "silent discharge plasma," "tunable hybrid
plasma," "electron beam," "low-pressure surface wave plasma," and "gas-phase corona." Each
technique uses an electric power source to generate the electric field or energetic beam and a flow-
through reactor vessel where the SVE off-gas is treated. These technology variants differ principally in
(1) the temperature at which the contaminated vapor is treated and (2) the type and magnitude of the
energy applied to ionize the gas.
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Silent discharge plasma technology operates at ambient temperatures and uses a 15- to 18-kilovolt
(kV) alternating electric field.
Tunable hybrid plasma technology uses a 150- to 175-kV electron beam to create the plasma in the
gas stream. Varying the electron energy and density accommodates varying contaminant levels and
types. This technique requires a virtually dry gas stream.
In electron beam technology, electrons are generated in a vacuum tube and the resultant beam is
used to bombard off-gas vapors flowing through a reaction chamber to ionize the gas stream into
plasma. Water vapor in the gas can interfere with the effectiveness of the technique but is sometimes
useful in creating additional hydroxyl ions.
The low-pressure surface wave plasma reactor requires the contaminated gas stream to be below
ambient pressure. It uses a high-frequency radio source to ionize gas and create the plasma.
The gas-phase corona reactor is similar to the silent discharge plasma reactor but includes a bed of
dielectric beads to provide more discharge paths and to catalytically assist decomposition. The system
operates at ambient conditions and requires a 25- to 30-kV alternating electric field.
The principle components of the non-thermal plasma system are the reactor vessel and, if chlorinated
VOCs are treated, an acid scrubber. The reactor vessel is either a glass or stainless-steel vessel,
usually cylindrical and scaled to handle anticipated off-gas flow rates. The reactor vessel (sometimes
called the "reactor cell") is connected to the power supply and control system for corona production.
As contaminants pass through this chamber, they are converted to radicals. The free radicals
recombine further downstream and either emerge from the stack of the reactor directly into the
atmosphere (as in the case of non-halogenated VOCs) or continue through an acid scrubber that
removes halogen acids (formed when chlorinated VOCs are treated). Multiple reactor cells can be
arranged in series or in parallel either to increase the DREs for the contaminants, handle higher
volumes of gas, or both. Co-located with the reactor cell array are the high-voltage power supply and
necessary electrical control systems. All of the equipment can be mounted in a trailer to make it
transportable.
Most often, the results of non-thermal plasma treatment are benign compounds such as carbon
dioxide, water vapor, or low concentrations of NOx. When acids are generated (typically when
chlorinated VOCs are present in the influent), the effluent must pass through a scrubber before being
released to the atmosphere. The scrubber usually contains a mild caustic solution for acid removal but
can contain any solution components necessary to remove hazardous contaminants.
The off-gas influent to the reactor is typically filtered and dehumidified. Filtering prevents the reactor
from clogging, the electrodes from being coated and damaged, and the air pump (vacuum blower)
from being damaged. Dehumidification minimizes corrosion and protects the electric field from
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems: State of the Practice
disruption. An air cooler (heat exchanger) may also be added to the gas stream influent treatment
train prior to the reaction vessels if a hot inlet gas is treated or may be required to cool the actual
equipment for certain forms of non-thermal plasma treatment, although this situation would not typically
be a factor for SVE systems.
Of all these forms of non-thermal plasma technology, the two most tested in site remediation
applications are those using an alternating electric field: the silent discharge plasma and the gas-phase
corona reactor. These technologies are further discussed below.
6.1.1.1 Silent Discharge Plasma
In silent discharge plasma treatment, the contaminated off-gas stream is routed from the SVE blower
to a Pyrex® reaction chamber. The chamber is sandwiched between two electrodes attached to a
high-voltage power supply. When a high-voltage alternating current (AC) electric field is applied
across the electrodes, microbursts of plasma form in the chamber. These plasma bursts create free
radicals of the contaminants in the gas stream. The free radicals recombine to form harmless organic
molecules, mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor. Chlorinated VOCs in the gas stream will also
produce halogen acids that must later be removed by an acid scrubber. The plasma chambers are
small because of the small free path length of the plasma, but the chambers can be replicated
inexpensively and placed in parallel to handle large volumes of gas.
6.1.1.2 Gas-Phase Corona Reactor
In a gas-phase corona reactor, contaminated influent gas is forced through a reaction chamber, where
it reacts with plasma containing high-energy electrons. The reaction of the organic compounds in the
vapor stream and the electrons typically produces carbon dioxide and water, and in the case of
halogenated hydrocarbons, halogen acids.
Two types of gas-phase corona reactors are typically used for off-gas treatment: a packed bed corona
reactor or a pulsed corona reactor. The packed bed corona reactor contains a bed of dielectric
packing material (see Figure 6-1). The packing material may be as simple as glass beads or may
consist of more exotic materials such as Perovskite (BaTiO3). These more exotic materials possess
catalytic properties and increase the effectiveness of this technology but also increase costs. Wire-
mesh electrodes are located on each end of the packing bed and are attached to a high-energy AC
power source. As the gas flows through the packing material, a high-voltage, low-current AC is applied
to the electrodes. The electrons generated from the resulting discharges of the bead "capacitors"
create radicals out of the contaminants in the gas stream. According to Current Environmental
Solutions (CES), the packing material performs the following three critical functions (ENSR 2004d):
1. Amplifies the electric fields between the beads by refracting the electric currents as much as
10 to 250 times more than would otherwise be possible
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2. Acts as a catalyst for chemical reactions with contaminants in the vapor stream
3. Provides adsorption sites for contaminants, which effectively increases the residence time of
the contaminant in the reaction vessel
Figure 6-1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of packed bed corona reactor treatment.
Figure 6-1. Packed Bed Corona Reactor
Outlet
Electrode
Packed
Bed
Port
Inlet
Dielectric
Barrier
Ground
Screen
Source: CES 2005
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Pulsed corona reactors consist of a single wire centered between two steel electrodes within an
unfilled tube. The wire is connected to a high-voltage spark gap power supply. As the contaminated
vapor stream flows through the reactor vessel, nanosecond-length corona pulses are used to ionize
the organic vapors.
Non-thermal plasma technology can effectively treat a variety of compounds, including aromatic VOCs
(such as BTEX) and chlorinated VOCs (such as chlorinated ethenes and ethanes, and freons). CES
reports that vapor stream concentrations ranging from 10 to 10,000 ppmv have been successfully
treated with generally greater than 99 percent DREs (ENSR 2004d). Because efficiency does not
depend on high temperatures, other benefits include rapid start-up and low operating costs, with much
lower requirements for supplemental fuel or energy during treatment than required for thermal
treatment alternatives. Korzekwa and others (1998) report DREs somewhat lower than 99 percent for
pulsed corona reactors and determined that the amount of energy necessary for destruction is affected
by the relative humidity of the gas stream (that is, higher humidity causes lower DREs). More
significantly, their study shows that the amount of energy required to destroy VOCs is highly
compound-specific. For example, freon requires more than an order of magnitude higher energy input
than toluene under similar treatment conditions.
6.1.2 Developmental Status
Non-thermal plasma technology has the potential to compete with traditional off-gas treatment
technologies because of its potential to operate for long periods without requiring much O&M and its
potential to be scaled up to handle large contaminant loads (Chapman and others 1997). Although the
technology has been the process of choice for the production of ozone in industrial settings for several
years, it needs further development, refining, and marketing for use in SVE off-gas treatment
applications.
The silent discharge plasma technology was originally developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's
(DOE) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in the early 1990s. The technology was field tested on
an SVE system at McClellan AFB from October 1995 to January 1996. In the test, cells were
constructed of Pyrex® and sandwiched between electrodes. The Pyrex® cells provided the dielectric
barrier. Forty such cells were connected in series to form the primary treatment chain during this field
test of the silent discharge plasma equipment. Results indicated greater than 95 percent DREs for
several chlorinated hydrocarbons. The process has not subsequently been successfully
commercialized (ENSR 2004d).
The gas-phase corona technique has been used as an industrial pollution control technology for years
to control NOX, SOX, and mercury compounds (among other pollutants) and is sometimes used in
conjunction with electrostatic precipitators and electron beams. Performance information available for
gas-phase corona technology, although limited, indicates that the technology is capable of achieving
DREs of more than 99 percent for chlorinated VOCs with proper gas residence time and voltage within
the reactor vessel.
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In 1992, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories (Battelle) completed bench-scale testing of the gas-
phase corona technology. This testing demonstrated the ability of the corona reactor to destroy up to
1,500 ppmv TCE with DREs of greater than 99 percent. Battelle reported that DREs were found to be
a function of residence time, concentration, and applied voltage (RTN 1999d). Later studies by Nunez
and others (1993) revealed that compound-specific DREs could be correlated to the ionization
potential (IP) of that compound. The lower the IP of a particular compound, the higher the ORE at
constant operating conditions.
Battelle also conducted pilot-scale field testing of gas-phase corona technology for site remediation at
the DOE Savannah River site in Aiken, South Carolina (see Section 6.1.3 below). This technology is
being marketed for full-scale site remediation applications by CES in partnership with Battelle. In 1998,
gas-phase corona technology was applied at bench scale for the treatment of SVE off-gases at the
Silresim Superfund Site in Lowell, Massachusetts. The technology proved successful in destroying
chlorinated and fluorinated contaminants but was not tested during subsequent treatment studies at
the site. A pilot system is now developed and marketed by CES for treating automotive and diesel
exhausts. CES has indicated that a full-scale demonstration of this technology will continue to be
marketed, but to date, such a demonstration has not been performed (ENSR 2003a).
The other non-thermal plasma technologies (tunable hybrid plasma, electron beam, and low-pressure
surface wave plasma) are not commercialized and are still in the research and development stages.
6.1.3 Performance
In 1993, Battelle continued bench-scale research of gas-phase corona technology and performed a
pilot-scale test at the DOE Savannah River site in Aiken, South Carolina. The test was performed on
TCE and PCE vapors from an SVE system at concentrations of 130 and 720 ppmv, respectively. The
reported results show that DREs for TCE and PCE could be raised to greater than 99.9 percent for gas
residence times of 1.8 and 7.7 seconds, respectively. DREs increased as the residence time
increased (RTN 1999d).
Battelle has also tested this technology for a variety of other compounds. Table 6-1 summarizes
typical DREs for the other compounds tested by Battelle. As the table shows, the technology was
able to achieve 99 percent DREs or greater for several contaminants and greater than 95 percent
DREs for all but one of the contaminants tested.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Table 6-1. Gas-Phase Corona Plasma Reactor Technology Results
Compound
Overall
Acetone
Benzene
Carbon tetrachloride
1,1-Dichloroethane
1 ,2 Dichlorobenzene
1,1-Dichloroethene
cis-1 ,2-Dichloroethene
Ethylbenzene
GD (Nerve Agent)
Methane
Methylene chloride
Naphthalene
Phosgene
Tetrachlorothene
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
1 ,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Trichiorotrifluoroethane
Semivolatile organic compounds
Trichloroethene
Total nonmethane organic compounds
Xylenes
Others (hydrogen cyanide, etc.)
Destruction and Removal Efficiency (%)
97
97.9
97.85a
>99a
>96.6
>97.0
>97.4
>95.3
>96.3
>99.8a
>97a
95a
>99.9a
99.84a
99.5 - 99.9a
95.4
>98.2
67a
>99.9
99.6 - 99.9a
97.0
99.4
>99a
Note:
a Reported result obtained using a packed bed corona reactor
Source: RTN 1999d
The McClellan AFB study notes that average DREs as high as 97 percent were demonstrated with
dehumidified and hydrogen-enriched influent in the silent discharge reactor. DREs dropped to less
than 90 percent in the presence of significant humidity in the gas stream; therefore, the gas stream
should be dehumidified for optimal operation (Chapman and others 1997). An electron beam bench-
scale study at McClellan AFB indicated DREs of 93 to 99 percent for a mixed VOC and chlorinated
VOC waste stream from an SVE off-gas (Chapman and others 1997). Non-thermal plasma technology
has proven effective in treating a wide range of contaminants, including those shown in Table 6-1,
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which are typical of SVE off-gases as well as for treating chlorofluorocarbons, SOx, NOx, and PCB
surrogates.
At the current stage of development, the gas-phase corona technology is limited 1o relatively low flow
rates (less than 20 cfm) for both industrial and remediation applications of single-unit systems.
Systems can be designed with several corona reactors in parallel to increase treatment capacity. At
the DOE Savannah River site, 21 parallel reactors achieved a maximum treatment rate of 105 scfm.
Battelle indicates that plans have been developed for a commercial system capable of treating 250 cfm
using six reactors (ENSR 2003a).
6.1.4 Engineering Considerations, Limitations, and Cost
As of the mid-1990s, none of the systems had been demonstrated at the scale necessary for practical
remediation systems. The chief deficiency was that the systems only operated at about 10 scfm.
Although this flow rate is low, certain SVE remediation systems operate in this range. Placing reactors
in parallel can increase flow capacity.
A general disadvantage of the systems is that they may generate products that require further
treatment. Depending on plasma temperature and input energy, free radicals formed within the
plasma can sometimes recombine into compounds more toxic than their precursors. This situation
results in the need for continuous monitoring of the exhaust products and, in many cases, the need for
off-gas scrubbers. For specific applications, however, tailoring system conditions can result in very
high DREs with a low probability that further off-gas treatment will be required (except for halogenated
contaminants that result in acid formation). Contaminant destruction is linked to the treatment rate.
For greater DREs, lower treatment rates (flow rates) may be required (RTN 1999d). Because the
technology is not fully developed, not all potential problems associated with full-scale operation are
well understood, especially with regard to full control of the process and the impact of corrosiveness.
To date, no significant environmental concerns are associated with this technology. Production of NOx
and ozone is low to moderate. At higher temperatures (and power consumption), ozone production
ceases but NOx and nitric acid production increases (RTN 1999a). No evidence has been found of the
production of dioxin or furans with this treatment technology. The potential for production of toxic or
carcinogenic compounds in the effluent stream depends on the influent compounds and therefore
possible free radical combinations that can occur. The use of free radical scavengers such as
hydrogen and water vapor in the influent minimizes the formation of such toxics. This technology's low
operating temperatures generally preclude the formation of toxics.
As with most off-gas treatment technologies, the system produces halogen acids from halogenated
contaminants and requires an acid scrubber when these contaminants are present. Depending on the
other contaminants collected in the scrubber solution, the subsequent liquid waste stream may require
testing and treatment prior to disposal. Dehumidification (air-water separator) condensate, if any,
should be managed separately.
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For gas-phase corona technology, power consumption is expected to be the primary operating cost,
with consumption rates of 12 to 15 kilowatts at 25 to 30 kV. As with Cat-Ox, a significant capital cost
could be for acid-resistant catalyst beads in the reactor. Although not necessary to the operation of the
process, catalyst beads make the process more efficient and allow larger mass flow rates (higher
concentrations, lower residence times, or both), thereby allowing smaller reaction vessel size. The unit
cost of gas-phase corona technology is also very dependent on the contaminant mass loading.
Cummings and Booth (1997) used data obtained from field testing of the corona technology and
additional data provided by Battelle to estimate the unit cost (price per pound) of off-gas treatment by
gas-phase corona technology over a range of influent concentrations and flow rates. The calculated
estimates ranged from approximately $1 per pound at a 500-cfm flow rate and 1,000-ppmv influent
vapor concentration to $34 per pound for a 100-cfm flow rate and 50-ppmv influent vapor concentration
(the influent vapor stream was assumed to contain a ratio of 70 percent PCE to 30 percent TCE).
These estimates are supported by the data presented by Chapman and others (1997) from field testing
of the silent discharge plasma technology (which is almost identical to the gas-phase corona
technology) at McClellan AFB in 1995 and 1996. At a relatively low contaminant mass loading rate of
0.05 kilogram per hour, the operating costs were estimated to be about four times as great as for a
Cat-Ox because of energy requirements. Capital costs were estimated to be double those of a Cat-Ox
with the same capacity. Energy costs are a primary challenge for this non-thermal plasma technology.
Costs are contaminant-specific; the lower the contaminant bond strength (IP) and gas stream loading
rate, the lower the cost (RTN 1999a). Conversely, cost information provided by CES indicates that at a
relatively high contaminant mass loading rate of approximately 6 kilograms per hour of benzene
(equivalent to SVE treatment of a 2,000-ppm influent stream at a 500-cfm flow rate), the cost of non-
thermal plasma treatment could be approximately one-fourth that of Cat-Ox treatment (ENSR 2003a).
Taking into account all capital and O&M costs, FRTR (2004) recently estimated that gas-phase corona
technology costs $10 per pound of contaminant. It is clear from the wide variations in estimates that
additional data are necessary to develop a better understanding of costs relative to performance and
associated limitations.
Developers of this technology are listed below. This list is not meant to be comprehensive and was
developed from mention in literature and from Web sites providing descriptions of technologies
applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
• Current Environmental Solutions; Kennewick, WA; gas-phase corona; www.cesiweb.com
• ENV America; Irvine, CA; silent discharge plasma; www.envamerica.com
• Los Alamos National Laboratory; Dr. Louis A. Rosocha; gas-phase corona; e-mail address:
rosocha@lanl.gov
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• Thermo Electron, Inc.; Waltham, MA; tunable hybrid plasma; www.thermo.com
• First Point Scientific, Inc.; Agoura Hills, CA; electron beam and corona discharge;
www.firstpsi.com
6.2 Photolytic and Photocatalytic Technologies
Light energy in the UV wavelength spectrum can be used to oxidize or otherwise break down vapor-
phase organic contaminants in air streams. Two related processes, photolytic destruction and
photocatalytic destruction, use this phenomenon to treat off-gases generated from SVE systems.
These two processes have also been proposed to improve general indoor air quality by removing
VOCs and tobacco smoke from the air as well as to mitigate NOX in industrial flue gas streams (U.S.
EPA 2000a, b, c, and d). Although these proposals are encouraging, these technologies have not
been fully developed or widely used for SVE off-gas treatment applications.
6.2.1 Technology Description and Applicability
Both photolytic and photocatalytic destruction technologies use an ionization source of UV light or
near-UV light (light having a wavelength of 150 to 350 nanometers [nm]) to ionize components of a
vapor stream (such as oxygen and VOCs), causing the formation of reactive free radicals. Other
wavelengths could provide more energetic photons for higher-bonding energy compounds, but for the
purpose of destroying VOCs and chlorinated VOCs, the wavelength ranges of UV light and near-UV
light are sufficient.
In photolytic destruction systems, radicals are formed in reactors made of quartz. These highly
energetic free radicals then recombine to form mostly harmless products such as water vapor and
carbon dioxide. In addition to the UV energy source and the quartz reactor, photolytic destruction can
also require follow-on treatment processes to manage other products that are formed. For example,
oxygen radicals can combine with nitrogen (from air) to form NOX. Also, as with other technologies,
destruction of chlorinated VOCs produces halogenated acids (such as hydrochloric acid). The less
desirable reaction byproducts may be released directly to ambient air at small concentrations or be
removed by equipment such as acid scrubbers.
Photocatalytic processes similarly use UV light as an ionization source to create free radicals but also
use a catalyst to promote reactions. In this process, radicals are formed either in the gas stream
(when the contaminant molecule absorbs the UV light energy directly) or when the influent vapor
stream contacts the catalyst (usually TiO2). The catalyst is activated by the UV light energy. The
radicals then recombine to form water vapor, carbon dioxide, and, if chlorinated VOCs are treated,
halogenated acids.
The process components of UV oxidation systems vary depending on the technology developer and
whether photolytic or photocatalytic processes are used. One photolytic destruction system developed
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by Process Technologies, Inc. (PTI), feeds off-gas from an SVE system to a sorption chamber
containing a fluidized bed of adsorbent material. In the sorption chamber, the contaminants are
prepared for photolysis by concentrating the vapor stream. The adsorbent material is continuously
moved to a separate chamber where the VOCs are desorbed from the adsorbent by steam stripping.
Ultimately, the adsorbent must be replaced. The VOC-laden air stream resulting from the steam
stripping is sent to a reaction chamber with a special cement liner for irradiation with UV light in the
150- to 254-nm wavelength range. The UV light generates free radicals and destroys the VOCs,
converting them to carbon dioxide and water.
A representative implementation of a photocatalytic system, developed by Matrix Photocatalytic, Inc.
(no longer in business), feeds off-gas from an SVE system directly into a reaction chamber. The off-
gas contacts a TiO2-coated fiberglass open-cell mesh in the reaction chamber and becomes irradiated
with UV light, which causes free radicals to form. Generally, the mesh is wrapped around the UV lamp
and the air stream flows between the UV lamp and the catalyst mesh. Other photocatalytic systems
use reaction vessels containing patented catalyst beads spread on trays irradiated by a UV lamp (RTN
1999a). In addition, a photocatalytic system, developed by Purifies ES Inc., uses the TiO2 catalyst in a
slurry form (Purifies 2006).
Photolytic and photocatalytic technologies effectively treat a broad range of halogenated and non-
halogenated VOCs, including PCE, TCE, and vinyl chloride, which are common SVE off-gas
components. Other VOCs that can be destroyed by these processes include aromatic and aliphatic
hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, ketones, and aldehydes. Photolytic technology works best on
concentrated VOC waste streams (1 to 3,000 ppmv) at low flow rates; therefore, this technology is
applicable for some SVE off-gas treatment scenarios.
6.2.2 Developmental Status
Research and development on photolytic and photocatalytic technologies have advanced to the point
that the technologies are used for industrial air treatment; however, no operating SVE systems appear
to be using UV technologies for off-gas treatment. However, photolytic and photocatalytic technologies
have been tested on several SVE off-gas streams and have performed well. Examples of successful
demonstrations of photolytic and photocatalytic technologies are described below. Also, photocatalytic
technologies are widely used for treating water in industrial and remediation applications.
6.2.2.1 Photolytic Treatment
The PTI photolytic destruction technology was tested as part of the U.S. Navy Environmental
Leadership Program at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island's Site 9 SVE system. The system was
installed to treat a 250-cfm slip stream from the operating SVE system already installed on site.
Compounds treated in the system included halogenated and nori-halogenated VOCs, such as
1,2-DCE, TCE, PCE, toluene, and octane. During the 4-month test, the system successfully treated
VOCs in the SVE off-gas from an average concentration of 192 ppmv to below the maximum allowable
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
emissions of 25 ppmv. The average total ORE for VOCs was 95 percent. The U.S. Navy estimated
the cost of scaling up the system to 3,000 scfm to treat all SVE off-gas from MAS North Island's Site 9
would be $3.77 per pound of VOCs treated (U.S. Navy 2002). PTI's system had similar positive results
in the mid-1990s at other test sites, including McClellan AFB in California and Hill AFB in Utah;
however, PTI is no longer in business, and its technology is not currently commercially marketed.
In October 1991, Thermatrix began a field test of its photolytic oxidation technology at the Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory Superfund site in California under the Superfund Innovative Technology
Evaluation (SITE) Demonstration Program. The photolytic process treated flows of up to 500 cfm and
used a xenon pulsed-plasma flash lamp to emit UV light at high densities. Initial TCE concentrations
were approximately 250 ppmv and were reduced by more than 99 percent under all conditions except
when the lowest flash frequencies and fewest lamps were used (U.S. EPA 1993a).
6.2.2.2 Photocatalytic Treatment
The AIR-I process developed by KSE, Inc. (KSE) is an adsorption integrated reaction in which a
contaminated air stream flows into a photocatalytic reactor where VOCs are trapped on the surface of
a proprietary catalytic adsorbent. This process was successfully tested at the laboratory scale on
chlorinated VOCs at inlet concentrations of 1 to 3,000 ppmv. The process was then demonstrated as
part of a groundwater remediation demonstration project at Dover AFB in Delaware, where effluent air
from a groundwater stripper was treated. Results indicated over 99 percent removal of DCA from air
containing 1 ppmv and saturated with water vapor.
The photocatalytic destruction process has been tested for SVE off-gas treatment during remediation
demonstrations. KSE's AIR-II process was accepted into the SITE Emerging Technology Program in
1995. This process was initially evaluated at full-scale operation for treating SVE off-gas at Loring
AFB. The ORE for PCE exceeded 99.8 percent (U.S. EPA 2005a). A study at the former National
Environmental Test facility at McClellan AFB was conducted from October 1995 to January 1996. This
study demonstrated that KSE's AIR-II process had VOC DREs as high as 98 percent.
Recently, KSE conducted research under the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences,
Superfund Basic Research Program to evaluate TCE destruction and byproducts of their AIR process.
More than 40 different catalysts containing copper, manganese, cerium, cobalt, tungsten, TiOa, tin
oxide, and noble metals such as platinum were included in the study. The research brief for this study
(number 131) can be found at http://www-apps.njehs.nih.gov/sbrp/researchbriefs.
Another demonstration project was conducted at the Stamina Mills Superfund site in North Smithfield,
Rhode Island, from August to October 1999. A 700-scfm photocatalytic oxidizer developed by KSE
and manufactured by Trojan Technologies, Inc. (Trojan), treated SVE off-gases containing primarily
TCE at influent concentrations of 10 to 78 ppmv. DREs exceeded 99.6 percent for TCE, even at a
maximum flow rate of 0.72 Ib/hr. Unexpectedly, however, chloroform was emitted as a byproduct of
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the reaction. KSE subsequently reported that chloroform formation can be reduced through the use of
different photocatalysts or reactor configurations (U.S. EPA 2001 a).
The photocatalytic technology has been commercialized by a number of companies, including KSE
through its licensee, Trojan; Purifies ES Inc.; and Zentox Corporation. Trojan reported fielding four
systems for industrial applications and providing quotes on dozens of others; however, Trojan is not
currently constructing or selling systems for SVE off-gas treatment (U.S. EPA 2001a). Purifies ES Inc.
reports a number of photocatalytic deployments; however, almost all of these applications are for
treating ground water or process water (Purifies 2006).
More novel ideas being evaluated for photocatalytic systems include coating glass fibers with TiO2 and
filling the reaction vessel with UV-lit fibers. Another approach being researched is a solar-powered
version in which UV light from the sun activates the TiO2.
6.2.3 Performance
Table 6-2 summarizes data from KSE for its photocatalytic technology and patented catalyst. This
mixture of chemicals may not accurately reflect a typical mixture or many of the individual compounds
often present in SVE off-gases.
Table 6-2. Representative Destruction and Removal Efficiencies for Photocatalytic Treatment
of Volatile Organic Compound-Contaminated Air
Compound
Average total volatile organic compounds
Dichloroethene
1 ,2- Dichloroethane
Formaldehyde
Acetaldehyde
Trichloroethene
1,1,1- Trichloroethane
Toluene
Vinyl chloride
Hexane
Carbon monoxide
Ammonia
Destruction and Removal Efficiency (%)
95 - >99
>99
>99
100
99
84 - >99
>99
96
>99
99
94
100
Source: RTN 1999e
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
During the first McClellan AFB project, PTI's photolytic system achieved SVE off-gas VOC DREs as
high as 98 percent under high-concentration, low flow-rate conditions. The technology was shown to
be effective in treating a wide range of contaminants. Table 6-3 summarizes the VOCs treated for this
demonstration and DREs for each contaminant.
Table 6-3. Destruction and Removal Efficiencies for Photolytic Treatment of Soil Vapor
Extraction Contaminants from McClellan Air Force Base
Compound
Average total volatile organic compounds
1,1-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethene
cis-1 ,2-Dichloroethene
Ethylbenzene
Methylene chloride
Toluene
Trichloroethene
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
Xylenes
1 ,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Acetone
Semivolatile organic compounds
Destruction and Removal Efficiency (%)
98
>81.7
>85.7
>83.4
>87.7
>67.4
>98.6
>99.5
84.5
>97.7
>95.3
>95.7
>99.9
97.9
Source: Chapman and others 1997
Photolytic and TiO2-based photocatalytic oxidation does not effectively destroy long-chain (greater
than six carbon atoms) alkanes. When TiO2 catalysts are used, the alkanes partially oxidize and then
foul the catalysts. This situation may not apply to the patented Trojan/KSE catalysts, which are not
primarily composed of TiO2. The technologies have not been extensively tested on substituted
aromatics and seem to have lower DREs for BTEX-like compounds. To treat compounds with higher
energies of dissociation (such as TCA and methylene chloride), the energy of the UV light photons
must be increased (Chapman and others 1997). At influent temperatures above about 150 °F, the
efficiency of the UV lamps drops. Tables 6-2 and 6-3 indicate how DREs for different compounds vary
for a particular application and off-gas stream. For example, the McClellan AFB photolytic ORE for
TCE was greater than 99 percent, but the DREs for methylene chloride and TCA were less than 90
percent, which may be insufficient at some sites to meet performance standards.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Overall, photolytic and photocatalytic technologies have low environmental impact (minimal formation
of waste byproducts), which makes them an attractive SVE vapor treatment method. In early tests,
however, a tendency was noted for the process to produce low concentrations of phosgene as the
residence time of chlorinated contaminant vapor in the reactor increased, although dangerous levels
were never reached (CDC 2005).
Over time, these technologies have become relatively simple to implement and generally do not
produce waste products that require further treatment. Hydrochloric acid formed from the treatment of
chlorinated VOCs may require removal by an acid scrubber. Alternatively, hydrochloric acid may be
treated by absorption and neutralization in cement liners used in the reactors. The cement liner would
ultimately become saturated with neutralized halogens and require replacement. Waste from the liner
can be disposed of as solid waste.
The effluent from the oxidation/destruction chamber is generally benign enough for direct release to
the atmosphere; however, the potential generation of other waste products (such as chloroform) may
represent a disadvantage with this technology. If an adsorbent is used as a fluidized bed in the
process, it can be regenerated and ultimately disposed of as solid waste.
6.2.4 Engineering Considerations, Limitations, and Cost
Photolytic and photocatalytic systems require relatively little maintenance or replacement parts. The
systems are designed for unattended operation, and any wastes produced may be readily managed.
Catalysts typically last 2 or 3 years, and UV lamps, which are widely available and inexpensive, require
replacement approximately annually.
There are engineering concerns associated with photolytic and photocatalytic technologies. In
photocatalytic systems, the UV lamps must illuminate and activate the catalyst, which must be thin
enough for the UV light to penetrate it. Large influent mass loadings therefore require large catalytic
surface areas for photocatalytic oxidation to occur. In addition, the influent must be filtered to prevent
the degradation of the catalyst by particulates entrained in the vapor stream. The internal equipment
of photolytic and photocatalytic systems is sometimes difficult to reach, which could prove troublesome
if maintenance or periodic replenishment is required. In larger systems that process larger mass loads
of contaminants, reaction vessels may require cooling systems because catalytic reactions generate
heat. Cooling water may be considered a waste stream but could be recirculated.
Although the basic photo-energetic concept of these technologies is relatively straightforward, the
related processes used by some systems can add complexity. For example, systems that temporarily
fix contaminants onto adsorbents require intricate air-flow configurations to properly fluidize the bed.
These same types of systems, which then use steam to regenerate the adsorbents, must be
engineered so that the steam does not affect photolysis. Further, energy required to generate the
steam adds cost. Depending on the system design and generation of halogen acids, periodic
replacement and disposal of liners and adsorbents may be necessary. Finally, more energy and
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
additional equipment may be needed for UV light production and supplemental water cooling to
remove heat (if larger vessels or higher mass loadings are used).
The photolytic destruction process is not cost-effective compared to activated carbon treatment for off-
gases with contaminant inlet concentrations of less than 100 ppm. Energy costs to operate the UV
lamps are the principal economic driver. The technology appears to be relatively independent of
contaminant loading except for technologies that require replacement of reactor liners. Operating
costs for photolytic systems are about two-and-a-half times as great as for an acid-resistant Cat-Ox
system, because of energy costs. Capital costs for photolytic systems are estimated to be twice those
of Cat-Ox systems of the same capacity (Chapman and others 1997).
Compared to thermal Cat-Ox systems, photocatalytic technology has higher capital costs but lower
O&M costs according to a former vendor of this technology (RTN 1999a). Operating energy costs may
be sufficiently lower so that the higher capital cost is recouped over the life of the unit. For one
photocatalytic technology project, $1.5 million was reportedly saved over the life of the project
compared to the use of GAC (Brunet and others 1999). However, because few examples of this
technology have been used for SVE off-gas treatment, the life of such a unit and its components
cannot be reliably stated. Maintenance costs are expected to be small and are mostly associated with
yearly replacement of UV lamps and biennial replacement of catalyst.
Developers of this technology are listed below. This list is not meant to be comprehensive and was
developed from mention in literature and from Web sites providing descriptions of technologies
applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
• KSE Inc.; Amherst, MA; photocatalytic; www.kse-online.com
• Purifies ES Inc.; London, Ontario, Canada; photocatalytic; www.purifics.com
• Trojan Technologies Inc.; London, Ontario, Canada; photocatalytic; www.troianuv.com
• Zentox Corporation; Newport News, VA; photocatalytic; www.zentox.com
6.3 Membrane Separation Technologies
Membrane separation technologies have limited use for treating SVE off-gases from site remediation
applications. Membrane separation techniques are used extensively in industrial applications to
remove VOCs from process air emissions. One major use of this technology is to separate carbon
dioxide from natural gas. The membrane separation process combines compression and
condensation with membrane separation, and results in significantly more solvent recovery than
compression and condensation alone.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems' State of the Practice
6.3.1 Technology Description and Applicability
Membrane separation technology involves separation of VOCs from the contaminated vapor stream by
passing the stream through a membrane designed to be up to 100 times more permeable to organic
molecules than to air. Membrane separation systems are typically spiral-wound modules ranging from
4 to 8 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length. As the feed gas enters the module, a partial vacuum on
the other side of the membrane sheet draws the organic vapors through the spiral membrane to a
central permeate collection pipe. The purified air stream excluded by the membrane exits the
separator. This stream, sometimes called the "residue stream," may require additional treatment by
activated carbon prior to discharge to the atmosphere (MTR 2004).
Membrane separation systems can be configured either as single-stage systems, which are typically
used to treat concentrated vapor streams, or as two-stage systems, which are used to treat more dilute
vapor streams. In the single-stage system, the contaminated vapor stream is initially routed through a
condenser, where a portion of the organic vapor is cooled and condensed. The liquid condensate is
recovered for recycling or reuse. The uncondensed air-vapor mixture is then routed to a membrane to
separate the VOCs from the air stream. Two effluent streams are generated from the membrane: a
purified stream containing low levels of VOC vapor that may be discharged to the atmosphere or
further treated by activated carbon, and a concentrated vapor stream that is recirculated back to the
condenser. It is uncommon for SVE off-gas streams to be concentrated enough for treatment by a
single-stage system; however, SVE off-gas for systems treating substantial amounts of NAPL and
significant VOC concentrations may be appropriate for such treatment.
Two-stage systems are used when the vapor concentration in the off-gas stream is too dilute for an
effective initial condensation step prior to separation. As the air-vapor mixture passes through the first
of two membranes, most of the VOCs are separated from the clean air, which is discharged to the
atmosphere. The VOC-containing permeate is then compressed and condensed, typically producing
water and minor amounts of liquid VOCs. The bleed stream from the condenser passes through a
second membrane that again produces a clean air discharge and a highly concentrated VOC
permeate that is compressed and condensed. The liquid condensate from this second stage may be
suitable for recycling, and the bleed stream from the second condenser is recirculated through the first
membrane. In general, two-stage systems are too costly to be practical for most SVE applications.
Figure 6-2 shows a typical two-stage membrane separation system schematic diagram.
According to Membrane Technology and Research Inc. (MTR), its VaporSep® technology can treat a
variety of VOCs, including chlorinated and non-chlorinated VOCs typically associated with SVE off-
gases. The single-stage membrane separation process was initially developed to remove and recover
gasoline hydrocarbon vapors from fuel storage tanks at retail service stations. Other commercial
applications involve recovery of vinyl chloride monomer from industrial processes. In these situations,
the VaporSep® system can recover up to 100 Ib/hr of the monomer. The technology can also be used
to treat a wide range of vapor concentrations, which may make it applicable to both start-up and long-
term SVE off-gas treatment applications. Compounds that can be recovered include common SVE off-
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
gas constituents such as benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorofluorocarbons, methanol, methylene
chloride, PCE, TCA, TCE, toluene, and vinyl chloride.
Figure 6-2. Typical Two-Stage Membrane Separation System
VOC
Vapors
Air
Compressor Cooler
Membrane
Stage #1
Membrane
Step #1
Clean
Ambient
Air
Water-
Separation
System
Clean Water
Membrane
Step #2
Membrane
Stage #2
Vacuum
Pump
Liquid
VOC
Source: DOE 2001
According to MTR, the VaporSep® system works best at influent concentrations of 100 to 10,000
ppmv. Single-stage systems are best suited for concentrations exceeding 1,000 ppmv. Two-stage
systems can be used to treat influent vapor concentrations less than 1,000 ppmv. Membrane
separation systems have been designed for industrial applications to treat vapor flow rates of up to
3,500 scfm and have been tested at influent concentrations of up to 100,000 ppmv; therefore, the
technology should be adaptable for larger SVE systems, but treatment from typical low flow-rate SVE
systems (less than 200 cfm) may not be cost-effective.
6.3.2 Developmental Status
A two-stage VaporSep® system was tested in a pilot-scale application as part of the U.S. EPA SITE
Demonstration Program in 1994 (U.S. EPA 1994). The technology was also field-demonstrated on a
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
SVE system removing carbon tetrachloride and chloroform from subsurface soils at the DOE Hanford
Reservation site in Richland, Washington. The influent concentrations were 1,000 ppmv, and the
observed DRE was 95 percent (FRTR 2004). This technology was also tested for a SVE system at
McClellan AFB in California. The demonstration at this site was conducted from March 1999 through
May 2000, and initial chlorinated VOC concentrations ranged from 23 to 101 ppm (DOE 2001).
Commercial installations of VaporSep® systems have been exclusively for industrial applications.
6.3.3 Performance
This technology has limited use in treating off-gases from site remediation applications, because it
becomes more cost-effective when solvent recovery is desirable. During the U.S. EPA SITE study, the
average DREs for perchloroethylene, hexane, and iso-octane were approximately 90 percent at
influent concentrations ranging from 43 to 890 ppmv (U.S. EPA 1994). Depending on performance
standards, these reductions may not yield acceptable concentration levels. The concentrations of
organic compounds in the purified air stream are generally low enough for discharge to the
atmosphere but can be further treated by other methods, if necessary. During the DOE demonstration,
DREs of more than 95 percent were achieved by a system treating a stream containing 200 to 1,000
ppmv of carbon tetrachloride (FRTR 2004). The demonstration at McClellan AFB reduced chlorinated
VOC concentrations to less than 10 ppm before performance was impacted due to the presence of
carbon dioxide, which was not accounted for in the design, and mechanical issues (the presence of oil
and water in the system) (DOE 2001).
6.3.4 Engineering Considerations, Limitations, and Costs
As discussed in Section 6.3.1, single-stage systems are best suited for influent concentrations
exceeding 1,000 ppmv (up to 10,000 ppmv). The capacity of current systems ranges from 1 to 100
scfm, although MTR has constructed a unit capable of processing up to 140 scfm of feed air.
Two-stage systems can be used to treat influent vapor concentrations less than 100 ppmv; however, at
these levels, carbon adsorption may be more cost-effective because low-volume, low-concentration
conditions do not yield significant solvent recoveries.
The capital cost of the two-stage system tested at the DOE Hanford Reservation site capable of
handling 7,000 scfm was approximately $2.5 million. This system treated SVE concentrations of 200
to 1,000 ppmv of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform. More than 95 percent of the carbon
tetrachloride was recovered as liquid, and the remaining VOCs (2 to 25 ppmv) were treated using
activated carbon prior to discharge. More generalized capital costs are expected to range from $400
to $1,000 per scfm of system capacity, with the cost per unit volume generally decreasing as treatment
capacity increases (MTR 2004).
O&M costs for the DOE Hanford Reservation site system were reportedly $6,000 per year for actual
membrane maintenance and for assumed replacement every 3 years. At the test site, overall costs
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
were estimated to be $2,000 to $5,000 per pound of VOCs recovered, although the complete life cycle
of the technology for this application has not been evaluated (FRTR 2004). Operation costs are
generally quoted as $0.50 to $1.00 per 1,000 scfm treated. Costs associated with the demonstration
at McClellan AFB (with a design flow rate of 100 scfm) were scaled up for a 500-scfm membrane
separation system. For the larger system, estimated capital costs were $660,000 and O&M costs
were $675,000 per year assuming membrane replacement every 3 years (DOE 2001).
The only known developer of this technology is listed below. This list is not meant to be
comprehensive and was developed from mention in literature and from Web sites providing
descriptions of technologies applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
• Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.; Menlo Park, CA; VaporSep® Membrane;
www.mtrinc.com
6.4 Other Technologies
Gas absorption and vapor condensation technologies, with further development, are two other
technologies that may be applicable under certain circumstances for treating SVE off-gas. These
technologies are used in industrial applications and in some cases for regenerating activated carbon or
other adsorbents. In other cases, they may be combined with other technologies already presented in
this document. Because gas absorption and vapor condensation technologies are not frequently used,
detailed information with respect to the evaluation criteria discussed in Section 1.6 was not available.
This section presents a description of each technology and, when available, a brief discussion of
technology performance during field applications.
6.4.1 Gas Absorption Technologies
In gas absorption processes, contaminant vapors are dissolved into a liquid solution. This process is
referred to as "scrubbing" and is widely used in both industrial and site remediation applications as an
ancillary treatment process to eliminate acid gases formed during thermal treatment; however, the
technology is rarely used as the primary treatment method for site remediation off-gases.
Absorption and adsorption are related physical-chemical processes. The fundamental difference
between absorption and adsorption is that absorption involves the dissolving and/or mixing of the
contaminant into the absorbent (usually liquid) medium, and adsorption involves the attraction and
adhering of vapor or liquid to the surface of an adsorbent medium such as activated carbon. During
the gas absorption process, contaminated vapor flows through a column in a counter-current direction
to that of a low-volatility scrubbing solution (solvent). The scrubbing solution is usually distributed
through the column as a spray or mist to maximize contact between the vapor and liquid phases. The
concentration gradient between the gas and liquid phases and vapor-liquid equilibrium processes drive
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
dissolution of the gas-phase contaminants into the liquid solution; therefore, for this approach to work,
it is necessary to select a suitable solvent for the chemical(s) targeted for recovery or removal from the
air stream.
In some cases, the contaminants in the vapor stream chemically react with a component of the
absorbent solution to form chemically inert compounds (for example, acid gases absorbed into a
caustic solution). In other cases, the contaminant simply dissolves into the absorbent solution, which
requires further treatment or disposal. Gas absorption system configurations can include packed-
tower, sieve plate/tray-tower, Venturi, and fluidized bed configurations. Some solvents used include
water, mineral oils, and non-volatile petroleum oils. The most typical solvent used in absorption
applications is water, which works well for polar compounds but not for most compounds targeted in
SVE remedies. Specialized, low-volatility, non-polar organic solvents can also be used, and these
types of solvents are most applicable to SVE off-gas treatment applications.
In 1989, the Chemtact™ absorption process marketed by Quad Environmental Technologies
Corporation was used as part of a demonstration project. In this technology, a proprietary chemical
absorbent solution treats the contaminated vapor stream in a once-through (non-regenerable)
absorption process. The liquid absorbent is dispersed through the reaction chamber as finely
atomized droplets (less than 10 microns in diameter). In the 1989 demonstration, mobile Chemtact™
systems capable of treating 800 to 2,500 cfm treated a vapor stream containing unspecified
hydrocarbons plus phenol and formaldehyde. The process was reported to have achieved 85 to 100
percent DREs for the hydrocarbons and 94 percent DREs for both phenol and formaldehyde. During
other projects, the ORE for benzene was effectively 100 percent; however, the toluene ORE was only
50 to 93 percent. The Chemtact™ technology may no longer be commercially available. Attempts to
contact the vendor have been unsuccessful (RTN 1999i).
In the early 1990s, the University of Connecticut developed a process called "Contaminant Absorption
and Recovery." This process involves absorption of vapor-phase contaminants using a non-volatile
liquid solvent (typically corn oil). The liquid solvent then passes through a second column, where the
organic contaminants are stripped from the solvent at elevated temperatures and reduced pressure.
This second process produces a low-flow vapor stream that can be condensed, and the liquid
contaminants are recovered for recycling or disposal. The solvent solution can then be recirculated
through the process (RTN 1999J). Water entrained in the soil vapor decreases the efficiency of this
technology; therefore, SVE systems would need to include an efficient air-water separator to avoid this
problem.
Most research on this technology has been at the laboratory scale; however, a diffused bubble-
contactor and a packed column contactor were each investigated for pilot-scale off-gas treatment at a
sparge-and-vent remediation site. Off-gas VOCs from the system were successfully treated using both
contactors. The TCE DRE was greater than 95 percent for both configurations. A patent was issued
to the University of Connecticut for this technology in 1993, and a single field-scale application was
conducted at that time; however, this technology was not subsequently commercialized (RTN 1999j).
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One developer of this technology is listed below. This list is not meant to be comprehensive and was
developed from mention in literature and from Web sites providing descriptions of technologies
applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
• Environmental Research Institute, University of Connecticut; Storrs, CT
In addition, gas absorption systems are commonly available from many vendors that serve
manufacturing installations and the chemical processing industry.
6.4.2 Vapor Condensation Technologies
When treating contaminated vapor streams, the vapors can be cooled to condense the contaminants
using a stand-alone control system or as an enhancement to other off-gas treatment technologies.
Removing water vapor from the off-gas (as condensate) enhances the effectiveness of subsequent off-
gas treatment methods. Stand-alone condensation systems are typically used when the air stream
contains concentrations of contaminants greater than 5,000 ppm (Govind and others 1994) or when it
is economically desirable to recover the organic contaminant contained in the vapor stream for reuse
or recycling (similar to vapor recovery systems for industrial processes). This process is generally not
applied to SVE systems because the recovered products are generally not economically viable;
however, if concentrations during the initial stages of an SVE system are high or the contaminated
stream is not a mixture but consists of a single chemical, this process could be applicable. Particular
applications that use condensation for SVE treatment generally use heat (such as steam or electrical
heat) to enhance the effectiveness of SVE. The off-gases extracted by such systems are generally hot
and have high vapor concentrations.
Other configurations of vapor condensation include adsorbing or otherwise concentrating compounds
from low-concentration vapors using another technology and then performing condensation for
recovery for disposal or recycling as a feedstock into an ongoing industrial process (such as at an oil
refinery). Recovered chemicals can also be used as a supplemental fuel source for off-gas treatment
such as with ICE (see Section 3.2).
In a condensation system, the contaminant-laden vapor stream is cooled below the dew point of the
contaminants (assuming that the VOCs have sufficiently high dew points to allow condensation).
Depending on the composition and concentration of contaminants, the temperature required for
condensation may be extremely low. The vapor-phase contaminants, once condensed, can be
collected for recycling or disposal. Methods used to cool the vapor stream may include the use of
liquid nitrogen, mechanical chilling, or a combination of the two. The primary advantage of using a
vapor condensation system for SVE off-gas treatment is that such a system is quite safe, even when
applied to off-gases whose concentrations approach or exceed the LELs of the constituents. In
contrast, oxidation systems must have significant protection and safeguards to ensure safe operation
at LEL-range concentrations.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Pure-phase product recovery is possible using vapor condensation for SVE off-gas treatment;
however, materials that are readily condensable do not usually volatilize well at typical soil
temperatures. This technology is better suited to applications where heating is used to increase the
hydrocarbon removal rate from the subsurface.
Although vapor condensation technologies are not commonly used for SVE systems, demonstrations
of this application have been performed. The BRAYSORB system marketed by NUCON International,
Inc. (NUCON), was demonstrated at the DOE Savannah River site in South Carolina in 1993 and at a
Chevron facility in California in 1994. In the BRAYSORB process, the low-concentration vapor stream
is adsorbed onto activated carbon to concentrate the vapor stream prior to condensation. Two carbon
units are provided in series. Initially, only the first carbon canister is used until the concentration in the
effluent exceeds a predetermined level. When saturation of the first carbon unit is achieved, the unit is
taken off line for regeneration and the second carbon unit is used. This technology is efficient only for
compounds that are reasonably well adsorbed on activated carbon and subsequently can be stripped
at temperatures lower than 350 °F. The typical flow rate for this system is 8,000 to 10,000 scfm.
During regeneration, hot nitrogen is passed through the spent carbon unit and solvents are desorbed
from the carbon. The nitrogen and solvent vapors are compressed and cooled using a regenerative
heat exchanger. Following the heat exchanger is a separator, where greater than 90 percent of the
solvents in the vapor stream are condensed. Additional solvent is condensed by passing it through the
compressor. After regeneration, the carbon bed is cooled and made ready for adsorption (RTN 1999f).
NUCON has developed a mobile carbon regeneration system to perform the necessary regenerations.
At the DOE Savannah River site, vapor condensation used for the recovery of SVE off-gas from
treatment of soils impacted by machine shop wastes was performed at a flow rate of 250 scfm using a
mobile unit. TCE and PCE concentrations in the influent were 2,000 and 5,000 ppm, respectively.
Treatment using vapor condensation resulted in effluent TCE and PCE concentrations of 20 and 50
ppm, respectively, or DREs of 99 percent (although the actual solvent recovery efficiency was not
reported). Another application occurred at a Chevron site (a gasoline service station with an existing
SVE system). The off-gas was treated at 500 scfm with an influent concentration of total BTEX of 900
ppm. The resultant effluent had a BTEX concentration of 20 ppm, which correlates to a ORE of 98
percent, during an 18-month period (RTN 1999f).
This technology is considered to have low capital costs, because the absorber vessels can be
constructed of less expensive materials. No corrosion results from condensing steam and soluble
acids. This factor also reduces operating costs. Unlike conventional steam regeneration of activated
carbon, no contaminated water stream is generated by this technology. Through the use of heat
interchangers, this process results in reductions of up to 75 percent in energy requirements compared
to conventional systems (NUCON 2005). Total costs for the DOE Savannah River site system (10
wells) were approximately $25,000 per well for operating costs and $125,000 per well for capital costs.
Each regeneration performed at the Chevron site cost $1,800, and the total cost for the unit at the
Chevron site was $32,400 (RTN 1999f).
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems. State of the Practice
The only known developer of this technology is listed below. This list is not meant to be
comprehensive and was developed from mention in literature and from Web sites providing
descriptions of technologies applicable to SVE off-gas treatment. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
• NUCON International Inc.; Columbus, OH; BRAYSORB process; www.nucon-int.com
In addition, vapor condensing equipment is commonly available from many vendors that serve
manufacturing installations and the chemical processing industry.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
7.0 SUMMARY
A variety of technologies are capable of treating off-gas from SVE remediation systems. By far, the
most common types of off-gas treatment systems use activated carbon adsorption and thermal
oxidation (primarily catalytic oxidation). Other commercially available but less frequently used
technologies include biofiltration and ICEs. Emerging technologies have been explored for
remediating SVE off-gas in recent years, although none have matured to become significant
commercially available options.
This document presents available information for various technologies based on applicability,
limitations, performance, engineering considerations, residuals management, cost and economics, and
developmental status. This information is intended to present the state of the practice of off-gas
treatment technologies for SVE systems. The information is also applicable to vapors generated from
MPE and groundwater treatment systems. The document is intended to assist remediation project
managers and engineers in evaluating and selecting appropriate off-gas treatment technologies for
these systems. Project managers and engineers seeking guidance for the design and operation of
such systems should consult engineering manuals or other specific guidance documents for specific
technologies of interest (see Section 1.1 for examples).
Selection of the most appropriate off-gas treatment alternative is a function of the following factors:
• Types of contaminants present in the extracted vapor stream
• Vapor concentration(s)
• System flow rates
• Anticipated duration of system operation
• Local air emission and treatment requirements
• Estimates of how the off-gas concentration will change during remediation
Table 7-1 provides general concentration ranges of SVE off-gas applicable for commercially available
technologies. As the table shows, more than one technology may be applicable for treating a specific
off-gas. For example, SVE system off-gas concentrations of 500 ppmv of petroleum hydrocarbons
(VOCs) could be treated by carbon adsorption, thermal oxidation, or biofiltration. Other less readily
available technologies discussed in this report might also be applicable.
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
Table 7-1. Generalized Volatile Organic Compound Influent Concentration Ranges for
Commercially Available Technologies
Technology
Carbon Adsorption
Thermal Oxidation
Biofiltration
Influent Volatile Organic Compound
Concentration (ppmv)
<5,000
100-4,000
< 1,000
Notes:
ppmv = Part per million by volume
Source: USAGE 2002
In most instances, remediation practitioners evaluate and select thermal oxidation or carbon adsorption
at sites with SVE systems. These two technologies are both robust, demonstrated, mature off-gas
treatment methods that can treat a wide variety of contaminants. Compared to thermal oxidation or
carbon adsorption, the other technologies presented in this document are generally cost prohibitive or
are not sufficiently demonstrated for SVE off-gas treatment except under very specific circumstances.
Currently, selection of off-gas treatment technology is based on cost and operational considerations
that differentiate thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption systems. Although many factors affect the
cost of an off-gas treatment system, the general rule for selecting between thermal oxidation and
carbon adsorption is that more dilute off-gases are more cost-effectively treated by carbon adsorption.
Thermal oxidation becomes more cost-effective when off-gases contain higher concentrations of vapor
contaminants. Table 7-2 summarizes evaluation factors for selecting thermal oxidation and carbon
adsorption technologies.
Although thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption are currently the most common treatment
technologies for SVE off-gas, some emerging technologies presented in this document have the
potential to be cost-effective alternatives to thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption. In the future,
cost-efficiency improvements or reports of new, positive experiences in applying these alternatives
may result in their selection more frequently. With development, some of the emerging technologies,
such as non-thermal plasma and photolytic technologies, have the potential to be cost-effective
alternatives to thermal oxidation and carbon adsorption for SVE off-gas treatment.
7-2
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems' State of the Practice
Table 7-2. Evaluation Factors for Thermal Oxidation and Carbon Adsorption Technology
Selection
Factor
Thermal Oxidation
Carbon Adsorption
Concentration
More commonly used for higher
contaminant concentrations (> 500
ppmv); treatment costs per pound of
contaminant decrease as VOC
concentrations increase because less
supplemental energy is required per
pound removed
More frequently used for dilute vapor
concentrations (< 1,000 ppmv);
treatment costs per pound of
contaminant tend to stay same or
increase as concentration of vapors
increase because carbon replacement
frequency increases
O&M
requirements
Tends to require more labor and more
skilled labor to operate because of safety
considerations
Tends to be simpler and less labor-
intensive to operate and maintain unless
vapor-phase concentrations are high
and "breakthrough" occurs frequently
Safety
More safeguards necessary if it is
possible for off-gases to reach high
concentrations (significant fractions of
the lower explosive limits of the
contaminants in the vapor); formation of
dioxins and furans is possible if not
properly operated
Tends to be very safe under most
conditions; however, high levels of
ketones or similar compounds may pose
a fire hazard
Chlorinated vs.
non-chlorinated
VOCs
Less commonly used for chlorinated
VOCs because of formation of
hydrochloric acid during vapor
combustion, which requires special acid-
resistant materials for piping and
equipment after combustion chamber
Equally applicable to chlorinated and
non-chlorinated VOCs; acid formation
not typically an issue
Variety of
compounds that
can be treated
Except for acid formation during
combustion of chlorinated VOCs, wide
variety of compounds can be treated
Not all compounds adsorb well to
activated carbon (depends on sorptive
capacity); some common compounds
(such as vinyl chloride) not readily
treated; therefore, each compound in off-
gas must be considered
Capital vs. O&M
costs
Equipment significantly more expensive
to purchase than carbon units; however,
at high VOC concentrations, O&M costs
lower than carbon units
Capital costs fairly low; O&M costs
proportional to off-gas flow rates and
vapor concentrations
Notes:
O&M
ppmv
VOC
Operation and maintenance
Part per million by volume
Volatile organic compound
7-3
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Off-Gas Treatment Technologies for Soil Vapor Extraction Systems State of the Practice
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