METHOD OF REMEDIATION OF CONTAMINANTS IN POROUS MEDIA THROUGH MINIMIZATION OF BUOYANCY EFFECTS

摘要

A method for controlling vertical migration of contaminants in an aquifer includes introduction of a solubilizing solution having a surfactant and an alcohol or other light co-solvent. The surfactant is selected to solubilize the contaminant. The alcohol or other solvent is selected to provide the microemulsion with a substantially neutral buoyance with respect to groundwater. The neutral buyoancy of the microemulsion prevents the normal downward movement which is typical of the solubilized dense non-aqueous phase liquid in surfactant-enhanced a quifer remediation. Thus, the risk that any significant amount of solubilized dense non-aqueous contaminants will migrate vertically can be controlled. The relative tendency for vertical migration may also be reduced by increasing the injection rate or injected fluid viscosity by adding polymer or reducing the well (120, 130) spacing.