Frac Pp09

FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Delivery Methods for Optimizing in situDelivery Methods for Optimizing in situ
Remediation with TreatmentRemediation with Treatment
AmendmentsAmendments

OutlineOutline
 The trend towardsThe trend towards in situin situ RemediationRemediation
 New approaches: Many OptionsNew approaches: Many Options
 Delivery Methods: Injection vs. FracturingDelivery Methods: Injection vs. Fracturing
 Verification techniquesVerification techniques
 ApplicationsApplications
 BenefitsBenefits

Traditional ApproachTraditional Approach
 Excavation and Disposal (soils)Excavation and Disposal (soils)
 Monitored Natural Attenuation (Risk Management)Monitored Natural Attenuation (Risk Management)
 Ex situ treatmentEx situ treatment
 Physical extraction systemsPhysical extraction systems
BUT,BUT,
Excavation is expedient, but costly; retained liability is prorated toExcavation is expedient, but costly; retained liability is prorated to
waste generatorswaste generators
Risk Management is only a tool, not a remedial solutionRisk Management is only a tool, not a remedial solution
Ex situ options not always feasible due to site constraintsEx situ options not always feasible due to site constraints
(operations and facilities) and associated expense(operations and facilities) and associated expense
Physical extraction systems (P&T) not effective in low permeabilityPhysical extraction systems (P&T) not effective in low permeability
sedimentssediments
Transferring contamination or deferring the problem by riskTransferring contamination or deferring the problem by risk
management is NOT REMEDIATIONmanagement is NOT REMEDIATION

TraditionalTraditional
“Remediation”“Remediation”
3D Contaminant3D Contaminant
Plume ProfilePlume Profile
Free PhaseFree Phase ZoneZone Dissolved ZoneDissolved Zone
Alberta Reality –Alberta Reality –
Who wants to beWho wants to be
a millionaire?a millionaire?

““The New Remediation”The New Remediation”
Focus on DestructionFocus on Destruction of Contaminantsof Contaminants InIn
SituSitu to harmless end products :to harmless end products :
 ChemicallyChemically
 BiologicallyBiologically
using treatment amendments andusing treatment amendments and
enabling technologies (e.g. fracturing,enabling technologies (e.g. fracturing,
directional drilling, subsurface mapping)directional drilling, subsurface mapping)

Growing trend to RemedialGrowing trend to Remedial
Technologies that are …Technologies that are …
 CHEAPER (lower life-cycle cost)CHEAPER (lower life-cycle cost)
 Effective (meet criteria)Effective (meet criteria)
 Passive (simple infrastructure)Passive (simple infrastructure)
 Sustainable (natural processes)Sustainable (natural processes)
 Non-disruptive (minimal site disturbance)Non-disruptive (minimal site disturbance)
 Versatile (in soil and bedrock)Versatile (in soil and bedrock)
““Conventional Remediation that involvesConventional Remediation that involves
excavation is like amputating a patient’s armexcavation is like amputating a patient’s arm
when all she might need is a tetanus shot”when all she might need is a tetanus shot”

Examples of In SituExamples of In Situ
ApplicationsApplications
 Refineries and Tank FarmsRefineries and Tank Farms
 Gas Plants and Battery SitesGas Plants and Battery Sites
 Pipeline ROWsPipeline ROWs
 Bulk Fuel PlantsBulk Fuel Plants
 Former Flare Pit sitesFormer Flare Pit sites
 Retail Gasoline StationsRetail Gasoline Stations
 Dry cleaner sitesDry cleaner sites
 Grain TerminalsGrain Terminals
 LandfillsLandfills
 Industrial Manufacturing SitesIndustrial Manufacturing Sites
 Brownfield redevelopmentBrownfield redevelopment
propertiesproperties
 Military SitesMilitary Sites
 Geotechnical dewatering &Geotechnical dewatering &
slope stability applicationsslope stability applications

In Situ Remediation usingIn Situ Remediation using
Treatment AmendmentsTreatment Amendments
DELIVERY TREATMENT
GEOLOGY
EMPLACE
TECHNIQUE
DRILL
EQUIPMENT
TREATMENT
AMENDMENT
CONTAMINANT
TYPE

Treatment AmendmentsTreatment Amendments
AMENDMENAMENDMEN
TT
EXAMPLEEXAMPLE
SS
PROCESSPROCESS CONTAM.CONTAM.
Peroxygen
Chemicals
(powder slurry)
Calcium &
Magnesium
Peroxide
Oxidation and
Aerobic Bio-
degradation
Residual
Phase and
Dissolved
PHCs
Zero Valent Iron
(solids slurry)
CGI, MSI, NSI
Abiotic
Reductive
Dehalogenation
Chlorinated
solvents
Zeolites/Humates
(solids slurry)
Clinoptilolite/
Leonardite
Cation
Exchange/
Adsorp &
Chelatn
Salts,
metals,
hydrocarbons
Surfactants
(solution)
Non-ionic,
alcohol based
Reduced IFT;
enhanced Bio-
availability
Residual or
Free Phase
PHCs

Low Density SolidLow Density Solid
Bioamendment (Chitin)Bioamendment (Chitin)

High density SolidHigh density Solid
Amendment (ZVI)Amendment (ZVI)

Zeolite Column TestingZeolite Column Testing
To test for:To test for:
 Hydraulic ConductivityHydraulic Conductivity
propertiesproperties
 Use as a fractureUse as a fracture
proppantproppant
 Efficacy as an in situEfficacy as an in situ
treatment amendmenttreatment amendment
for sodium reductionfor sodium reduction

Amendment DeliveryAmendment Delivery
MethodsMethods
 FRACTUREFRACTURE
EMPLACEMENTEMPLACEMENT::
Slurry containingSlurry containing
amendment isamendment is
pumped downholepumped downhole
at a pressureat a pressure
sufficient to fail soilsufficient to fail soil
and create discreteand create discrete
fractures of radialfractures of radial
distributiondistribution
 PERMEATIONPERMEATION
INJECTION:INJECTION:
Amendment solutionAmendment solution
or slurry is injected ator slurry is injected at
sub-fracturingsub-fracturing
pressure to permeatepressure to permeate
pore space radiallypore space radially
outwards from pointoutwards from point
of injection.of injection.

Permeation InjectionPermeation Injection
 Only works if amendment can pass throughOnly works if amendment can pass through
the mean pore throat diameter of a soil, i.e.the mean pore throat diameter of a soil, i.e.
when:when:
Amendment Particle size,Amendment Particle size,
Ps <Ps < √ K/7√ K/7
Ps in microns and K in md (Haris and Odum, 1982)Ps in microns and K in md (Haris and Odum, 1982)
Otherwise, you are fracturing!!!Otherwise, you are fracturing!!!

Simplified Direct PushSimplified Direct Push
InjectionInjection

Oxidant Injection at Dry CleanerOxidant Injection at Dry Cleaner
SiteSite

What is Fracturing?What is Fracturing?
 Fracturing is a process in which a fluid isFracturing is a process in which a fluid is
applied to a soil or rock mass until failure ofapplied to a soil or rock mass until failure of
the soil or rock occurs, which results in athe soil or rock occurs, which results in a
tensile parting (i.e. fracture).tensile parting (i.e. fracture).
 Adapted for environmental use from theAdapted for environmental use from the
Petroleum Industry where it has been usedPetroleum Industry where it has been used
for increasing well production since 1949.for increasing well production since 1949.
 Fractures create high permeable pathwaysFractures create high permeable pathways
which increase subsurface fluid flow.which increase subsurface fluid flow.

Fracture EmplacementFracture Emplacement
 Low permeability soils: <10Low permeability soils: <10-6-6
m/s Hydraulicm/s Hydraulic
Conductivity (clays, silts, silty/clayey fineConductivity (clays, silts, silty/clayey fine
grained sands)grained sands)
 Provides permeability enhancement andProvides permeability enhancement and
simultaneous delivery of treatmentsimultaneous delivery of treatment
amendments (solid, liquid, or slurry)amendments (solid, liquid, or slurry)
 Fracture pathways can be used forFracture pathways can be used for
subsequent injections of treatmentsubsequent injections of treatment
amendment for multiple dosing.amendment for multiple dosing.

Typical Fracture PlanTypical Fracture Plan
1.1. Soil Fracturing to increase permeabilitySoil Fracturing to increase permeability
2.2. Injection of chemical oxidants or biologicalInjection of chemical oxidants or biological
reagents into fractures and surrounding soils.reagents into fractures and surrounding soils.

Fracture EmplacementFracture Emplacement
of Amendmentsof Amendments

Base Gel (Guar) carrierBase Gel (Guar) carrier
fluidfluid
 Water based,Water based,
natural or hydroxylnatural or hydroxyl
propyl guar polymerspropyl guar polymers
 pH buffer & claypH buffer & clay
stabilizerstabilizer
 CrosslinkerCrosslinker
 BreakerBreaker
 Sand proppantSand proppant
 AmendmentsAmendments

Equipment Required forEquipment Required for
Amendment PlacementAmendment Placement
 Mobile mixing tankMobile mixing tank
and pumpsand pumps
 Drilling equipmentDrilling equipment
 Downhole FracturingDownhole Fracturing
and Injection toolsand Injection tools
 Pressure, Flow vs.Pressure, Flow vs.
Time InstrumentationTime Instrumentation
 Fracture mappingFracture mapping
equipmentequipment

INDUCED SANDINDUCED SAND
FRACTURESFRACTURES

Which Delivery System ?Which Delivery System ?
 Depends on physical properties ofDepends on physical properties of
Treatment Amendment and propertiesTreatment Amendment and properties
of receiving geologyof receiving geology
 Generally low permeability soils andGenerally low permeability soils and
coarse-grained solid amendmentscoarse-grained solid amendments
require Fracture Emplacementrequire Fracture Emplacement

Verifying Fractures andVerifying Fractures and
AmendmentAmendment DistributionDistribution
 Visually: Excavation, soil coringVisually: Excavation, soil coring
 Geophysics: Tiltmeters, GPR, ECGeophysics: Tiltmeters, GPR, EC
 Indirect methods: TracersIndirect methods: Tracers
 Effects on GW geochemistryEffects on GW geochemistry

Visual verification of fracturesVisual verification of fractures
in excavationin excavation

Verification of amendmentVerification of amendment
delivery by soil coringdelivery by soil coring

Verification usingVerification using
Tiltmeter GeophysicsTiltmeter Geophysics
 Tiltmeters areTiltmeters are
ground surfaceground surface
sensors that detectsensors that detect
tilt angle and tilttilt angle and tilt
direction indirection in
response to aresponse to a
fracturing orfracturing or
injection event ininjection event in
the subsurfacethe subsurface

Geochemical verification for AnaerobicGeochemical verification for Anaerobic
Reductive Dehalogenation of TCE byReductive Dehalogenation of TCE by
Poly-n-acetyl glucosamine (Chitin)Poly-n-acetyl glucosamine (Chitin)

Case Study 1:Case Study 1:
Condensate RecoveryCondensate Recovery
 Former gas plantFormer gas plant
leaked 400 mleaked 400 m33
ofof
liquid condensateliquid condensate
 Condensate underCondensate under
highway moving tohighway moving to
lake & water wellslake & water wells
 Low permeabilityLow permeability
clay soils do notclay soils do not
allow efficientallow efficient
recoveryrecovery

Fracturing ProgramFracturing Program
 18 Fracture Boreholes containing 96 fractures18 Fracture Boreholes containing 96 fractures
created in hydrocarbon plumecreated in hydrocarbon plume
 Fractures initiated between 8 to 12 metresFractures initiated between 8 to 12 metres
depth in contaminated silts and claysdepth in contaminated silts and clays
 High vacuum extraction and pneumaticHigh vacuum extraction and pneumatic
pumping system constructed to recoverpumping system constructed to recover
hydrocarbons.hydrocarbons.

Condensate Plume prior toCondensate Plume prior to
Fracture RemediationFracture Remediation

Condensate Plume after 5Condensate Plume after 5
years of MPE operationyears of MPE operation

Fracture PerformanceFracture Performance
ParameteParamete
rr
BaselineBaseline
Recovery WellsRecovery Wells
FracturedFractured
Recovery WellsRecovery Wells
KK
(m/s)(m/s)
3x103x10-8-8
4x104x10-6-6
QQ
(L/day)(L/day)
160160
(17% HC)(17% HC)
490490
(77% HC)(77% HC)
RR
(m)(m)
44 > 10> 10

Fracturing in ResidualFracturing in Residual
Condensate PlumesCondensate Plumes
(2006)(2006)

Results of FractureResults of Fracture
Enhanced RemediationEnhanced Remediation
 Subsurface condensate plume was reduced toSubsurface condensate plume was reduced to
residual levels and immobilized in 5 years.residual levels and immobilized in 5 years.
 Value of condensate recovered from fracturedValue of condensate recovered from fractured
recovery wells was $135,000 which almost paidrecovery wells was $135,000 which almost paid
for cost of fracturing ($152,000).for cost of fracturing ($152,000).
 Remediation cost: $1.4 millionRemediation cost: $1.4 million
 Best convenitional in situ alternative: $2.5Best convenitional in situ alternative: $2.5
millionmillion
 Estimated cost of excavation exclusive ofEstimated cost of excavation exclusive of
replacement cost of highway: > $4 millionreplacement cost of highway: > $4 million

Case Study 2:Case Study 2:
Fracture enhanced saltFracture enhanced salt
leachingleaching
•Former Oilfield facility with
extensive salt impacts: 1.6ha
•Farmer does not want
disturbance to land
•Remedy: salt leach drains

Fracturing ProgramFracturing Program
 Drainage field of 221 horizontal drainageDrainage field of 221 horizontal drainage
fractures in 65 boreholes over 1.6 ha sitefractures in 65 boreholes over 1.6 ha site
 Drainage fractures: 2 to 5 metres depthDrainage fractures: 2 to 5 metres depth
 Hydraulically connected to collection sumpHydraulically connected to collection sump
 Salt water treatment (flash distillation) andSalt water treatment (flash distillation) and
recirculation to fractured injection wellsrecirculation to fractured injection wells
 Landowner acceptanceLandowner acceptance

ResultsResults
 Permeability enhancement of 2 to 3Permeability enhancement of 2 to 3
orders of magnitudeorders of magnitude
 Hydraulic control over entire plume areaHydraulic control over entire plume area
 Very little above ground infrastructureVery little above ground infrastructure
 Negligible disturbance to landNegligible disturbance to land
 Less than half the $3.0 M cost ofLess than half the $3.0 M cost of
excavation (Wiebe Env.- RemTech ’06)excavation (Wiebe Env.- RemTech ’06)

#3 - PCE Remediation at a#3 - PCE Remediation at a
Mall ComplexMall Complex
 Former dry cleaning operation at an urbanFormer dry cleaning operation at an urban
shopping mall leaked “PERC” (component inshopping mall leaked “PERC” (component in
dry cleaner fluid) into clay soils anddry cleaner fluid) into clay soils and
groundwater over 1,000 mgroundwater over 1,000 m22
areaarea
 Mall was redeveloped without addressingMall was redeveloped without addressing
contaminants residing to 8 m in subsurfacecontaminants residing to 8 m in subsurface
 New stores built over contamination andNew stores built over contamination and
remediation now required as part of real-remediation now required as part of real-
estate transaction.estate transaction.

Former Dry Cleaner SiteFormer Dry Cleaner Site
Challenges:Challenges:
 Clay soils (K = 10Clay soils (K = 10-8-8
m/s)m/s)
required permeabilityrequired permeability
enhancementenhancement
 Site constraints: traffic,Site constraints: traffic,
deliveries, shoppers,deliveries, shoppers,
impact on businesses,impact on businesses,
buried utilities,buried utilities,
contamination undercontamination under
liquor storeliquor store

Field ProgramField Program
 13 Fracture Boreholes13 Fracture Boreholes
 10 boreholes completed as10 boreholes completed as
injection wellsinjection wells
 Total of 42 sand fracturesTotal of 42 sand fractures
emplaced in clays (30 t)emplaced in clays (30 t)
 Fractures directed intoFractures directed into
contaminated soils undercontaminated soils under
liquor storeliquor store
 Subsequent injections ofSubsequent injections of
Oxytek MFR and KMnOOxytek MFR and KMnO44 intointo
fracture networkfracture network

Project SummaryProject Summary
 Fracture network facilitated injection of oxidizing solutionsFracture network facilitated injection of oxidizing solutions
modified Fentons Reagent, KMnOmodified Fentons Reagent, KMnO44 ) into contaminated clays) into contaminated clays
 Negligible disturbance to mall commerce – 6 day fracturingNegligible disturbance to mall commerce – 6 day fracturing
programprogram
 50% reduction in PCE in GW after 2 months (Oxytek)50% reduction in PCE in GW after 2 months (Oxytek)
 95% reduction (perimeter wells) & 11% reduction (core wells)95% reduction (perimeter wells) & 11% reduction (core wells)
 85% reduction in PCE GW plume & 30% reduction of soil plume85% reduction in PCE GW plume & 30% reduction of soil plume
 Ongoing oxidant injections to treat PCE rebound from claysOngoing oxidant injections to treat PCE rebound from clays
Cost analysis:Cost analysis:
Excavation and rebuilding: $ 2.5 M + loss of revenuesExcavation and rebuilding: $ 2.5 M + loss of revenues
Fracture Remediation : $ 0.5 M (est. 3 years)Fracture Remediation : $ 0.5 M (est. 3 years)

BenefitsBenefits
 Cost savings: 30% to 70%Cost savings: 30% to 70%
 Eco-friendly – small footprintEco-friendly – small footprint
 Best Available TechnologiesBest Available Technologies
 Dovetails with “Sustainability” conceptDovetails with “Sustainability” concept
 ““Stakeholder friendly” = acceptanceStakeholder friendly” = acceptance

CLOSURECLOSURE
 Innovative and cost-advantagedInnovative and cost-advantaged
technologies are increasingly in demandtechnologies are increasingly in demand
 These technologies are being leveragedThese technologies are being leveraged
for competitive advantage, includingfor competitive advantage, including
Master Service AgreementsMaster Service Agreements
 In situ vendors and technologies arrivingIn situ vendors and technologies arriving
in Canadain Canada
 The status quo is being left behindThe status quo is being left behind

THANK YOU !!THANK YOU !!
Additional case histories, technicalAdditional case histories, technical
papers & SITE DATA CHECKLIST arepapers & SITE DATA CHECKLIST are
available at:available at:
www.fracrite.cawww.fracrite.ca

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