Electrical Resistance Heating

This presentation describes the basis of electrical resistance heating (ERH) as a method of volatile organic compound remediation. Subsurface parameters that effect ERH will be described as well as factors that have almost no impact. Subsurface lithologies and regions that heat more quickly and easily are described. An overview of surface vapor treatment methods is provided.

A case study is presented for a Chicago area site that had been impacted with separate phase DNAPL consisting of trichloroethene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The DNAPL extended beneath a former manufacturing facility. Using ERH, the DNAPL was removed and concentrations of TCE and TCA in groundwater were reduced by approximately 99 percent. After ERH remediation was completed, the groundwater concentrations continued to decrease through heat-enhanced polishing effects. The heat-enhanced degradation mechanisms are described.

Two on-going ERH remediations will also be briefly described. The first ERH remediation is beneath an active facility that manufactures fighter aircraft; worker access and forklift traffic through the remediation area continues without restriction even as soils as shallow as two feet below grade are heated. The second ERH remediation is treating a landfill with buried drums and other debris.