A model and experimental study for dissolution efficiency of gaseous substrates through in situ sparging

Delivering electron acceptors, electron donors, and nutrients in gas state has been practiced for in situ bioremediation. A mathematical model based on air-channel concept was developed in this paper to assess the dissolution transient behavior of gaseous substrates for an in situ sparging process using their chemical and physical properties, aquifer-media characteristics, and field operating conditions. Using toluene as an example, the model was verified with experimental data obtained at field sparging rates ranging from 40 to 80 L air/min. The verified model is a useful means of predicting the dissolution behavior of gaseous substrates during sparging in an unconfined aquifer.