CLU-IN.ORG | Technology Focus: REMEDIATION OPTIMIZATION, Application

Remediation Optimization

Select a Topic | Technology Focus Home | Suggest Resource

◊ Air Sparging
◊ Bioreactor Landfills
◊ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents
◊ Bioventing and Biosparging
◊ Electrokinetics: Electric Current Technologies
◊ Fracturing
◊ Ground-Water Circulating Wells
◊ In Situ Flushing
◊ In Situ Oxidation
◊ Multi-Phase Extraction
◊ Natural Attenuation
◊ Permeable Reactive Barriers
◊ Phytoremediation
◊ Remediation Optimization
◊ Soil Vapor Extraction
◊ Soil Washing
◊ Solvent Extraction
◊ Thermal Treatment: Ex Situ
◊ Thermal Treatment: In Situ

For more information on Pump and Treat Optimization, please contact:

Kathleen Yager
Technology Integration and Information Branch
(617) 918-8362
yager.kathleen@epa.gov

Application

Applications of Simulation/Modeling Optimization Technologies

Simulation optimization is the use of mathematical optimization techniques coupled with groundwater simulation models to determine optimal pumping locations and rates for plume containment and/or cleanup. There are two major categories, hydraulic optimization (based on groundwater flow models such as MODFLOW) and transport optimization (based on contaminant transport models such as MT3D).

Hydraulic Optimization

Hydraulic Optimization Demonstration for Groundwater Pump-and-Treat Systems

Hydraulic optimization allows all potential combinations of well rates as specific locations to be mathematically evaluated with respect to an objective function (e.g., minimize total pumping) and series of constraints (e.g., the plume must be contained). The hydraulic optimization code quickly determines the best set of well rates, such that the objective function is minimized and all constraints are satisfied. This project included a screening analysis to determine those sites that would most benefit from hydraulic optimization and demonstrated the use of hydraulic optimization software at multiple sites. The two volume report can be downloaded below.

Transport Optimization

ESTCP Transport Optimization Demonstration Project

EPA co-sponsored this project with Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) and Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC). The primary objective of the overall project is to demonstrate the cost benefit of applying transport optimization codes, which couple sophisticated optimization techniques (nonlinear programming) with simulations of groundwater solute transport. The demonstration project applied two transport optimization packages to three Department of Defense sites. Information regarding the objectives packages used, site models, and results are available.

In addition, refer to the following documentation:

Proceedings from the Conference on Accelerating Site Closeout, Improving Performance, and Reducing Costs Through Optimization, June 15-17, 2004, Dallas, TX

This two and a half day conference sponsored by the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable included multiple sessions and evening workshops, including a session titled "Mathematical Optimization Approaches" and a workshop titled "A Workshop on Applying Optimization Algorithms and Contaminant Transport Models to Reduce Costs and Speed Remediation at Pump and Treat Sites".

Other Remediation Optimization Application Topics:

Proceed to "Application of Long-Term Monitoring Optimization Technologies"

Return to "Applications of the Remediation System Evaluation (RSE) Process"

Skip Ahead to Remediation Optimization Training Section