Pilot Treatment Programs

Pilot treatment programs are frequently used by GCI to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of in-situ chemical oxidation on site-specific soils and contaminants. Pilot treatment programs typically target a small portion (about 50-ft by 50-ft) of source area or a small area upgradient of the source. All pilots contain a radius of influence study, intended to verify the spacing of the injectors and ensure that connectivity exists between injection locations. In addition, our pilots are designed to significantly reduce the contamination in the pilot area to determine what percentage reductions can be expected during a full-scale treatment program. The primary goals of a typical pilot treatment program are to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the oxidant on the contaminants of concern at the site.
  
  
• Reduce overall contaminant mass, free phase, soil-sorbed, and dissolved phase contaminant mass within the treatment area.
  
  
• Assess the site-specific soil physical characteristics that may affect oxidant distribution and injection procedures.
  
  
• Use the information obtained to design a full-scale treatment program for the site.

Pilot treatment programs provide valuable information about how the site and contaminants will react to the oxidant. This information is then used to design and optimize the full-scale treatment program at the site to provide the most efficient program possible. Observations include:

• Establishing a radius of influence (ROI) for injector grid design.
  
• Determining site-specific catalyst and oxidant formulations.
• Evaluating injection rates and injection point construction.
• Developing the optimum monitoring network for the site.