Gray, A., A. Hunt, J. Fiacco, D. Reedy, C. Pearson, C. Coladonato, J. Rong, R. Kasevich, et al.
CRC Care International Cleanup Conference, 8-12 September, Adelaide, Australia, 16 slides, 2019

A field-scale trial began in January 2019 at an operating chemical plant in Victoria, Australia, to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of radio frequency heating (RFH) to stimulate enhanced dissolution of DNAPLs and abiotic degradation of VOCs, including ethylene dichloride (EDC) and TCA. Numerical simulations calculated a target temperature of 80°C at a distance of 1.5 m from the antenna to maximize the thermal radius of influence of the RF energy, enhance the dissolution of DNAPL, and maximize abiotic hydrolysis of EDC and TCA. Within 7 weeks of operation at < 70% of the full power of the generator, groundwater temperatures within 3 m of the antenna increased to > 50°C, with a maximum temperature of 70°C measured at 1.5 m from the antenna. Baseline concentrations in eight monitoring wells surrounding the antenna were as high as 1,320 mg/L EDC and 10.9 mg/L TCA. In the monitoring wells immediately surrounding the antenna, groundwater temperatures increased to >60°C and EDC concentrations decreased by 68% (from 116 mg/L to 37.1 mg/L) and 41% (91 mg/L to 53.3 mg/L). Concurrently, concentrations of ethylene glycol increased from non-detect to 236 µg/L and 557 µg/L, respectively, indicating the commencement of hydrolysis reactions. http://adelaide2019.cleanupconference.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/W23d.pdf