Case Studies - OK001 - Pneumatic Fracturing, Chemical Oxidation

Department of Defense - Oklahoma

ARS recently completed a field effort consisting of Pneumatic Fracturing/Atomized KMn04 injection into three boreholes at a DOD facility in Oklahoma. The complex site geology consists of weathered siltstone and poorly sorted sandstone. During this project, 3,530 gallons of KMn04, at a concentration of approximately 5% by weight were injected into the target source zone. Prior to the chemical oxidant injection the formation was pneumatically fractured at pressures as high as 450 psig to create fracture networks for more effective dispersion of the solution. Upon completion of the fracturing step, liquid atomized injection (LAI) of the KMn04 was performed.

During the injection events, the solution was detected to have traveled radially outward to as far as 90 ft. Within one month of the injections, greater than 80% reduction of TCE was observed in the ground water. More importantly, little to no contaminant rebound was observed within the pilot test area. A limited amount of rebound was observed along the up-gradient fringe areas of the pilot test area, presumably due to the influx of contaminated groundwater from untreated areas.

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