Surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation: Application of mathematical models in the design and evaluation of a pilot-scale test

This paper provides an overview of the application of flow and transport simulators to the design and performance evaluation of a surfactant enhanced remediation pilot demonstration in Oscoda, Michigan, USA. For model simulations, input parameters were estimated from batch and column experiments conducted with aquifer materials and fluids collected from the site. Geostatistical methods were used, in conjunction with available grain size data from core samples, to generate representative hydraulic conductivity distributions for the unconfined glacial outwash formation. The final remedial design incorporated a gallery of water injection wells, installed behind the surfactant injection points, to control surfactant delivery and maximize solubilized plume capture. Model predictions of test performance are compared with actual aqueous concentration measurements within the treated source zone. Discrepancies between predicted and measured concentrations are identified and discussed. Extraction well breakthrough data are also evaluated to explore the effectiveness of DNAPL removal and surfactant recovery.