Frequently Asked Questions

What is provided by ART?

The minimum ART does is:
1.Review individual site information to evaluate applicability
2.If applicable, we work closely with client’s remediation design engineers to ensure proper design parameters – provide design assistance
3.Manufacture the patented ART/LowPerma wellhead
4.Install the ART/LowPerma system (wellhead completion, hookup to pre-installed remediation equipment – blower, compressors, associated piping)
5.Assist in starting up the ART/LowPerma system
6.Work with consultant to optimize system
7.Review site remediation data to ensure successful project completion

Trenching, piping and the associated blowers and/or compressors and the equipment building may be included as a turn-key project.  We are extremely flexible to the client/consultant’s particular needs.  We can become involved as much as you want us to be involved.

Have you attained closure at any of your sites using the ART Technology?

Yes, we have received closure at sites and are in the process of receiving closure at others.  Keep in mind that this technology is relatively new so many of our systems have only been operating for a short period of time.  At our site in Isleton, CA, we attained closure within one year.  At another site in Allentown, Pennsylvania action limits were reached in one year despite the challenging fractured bedrock formation. Put case histories link here. Also, we have installed the ART Technology at sites that had reached asymptote and immediately lowered contamination levels by orders of magnitude. 

What information do you need in order to determine the applicability at the site?

We only need basic information, which includes:
1.Lateral / vertical extent of contamination & contaminants of concern.
2.Cross sections and boring logs
3.Geological and hydro geological information
4.Any other information you  feel is relevant for that specific site
5.If there is a potential to retrofit to existing wells, we would also need to review the well information logs.

*Please see Site Assessment form. Place site assessment link here

Under what circumstances would the technology not be applicable?

The technology has to be evaluated on a case by case basis.  However, by rule of thumb, the ART Technology is not designed for sites with a permeability of 10-5 cm/sec or less.  If this is the case, we would want to look at the LowPerma Technology instead.  We also need at least 5 feet to groundwater, unless the well can be completed above grade in order to allow enough vertical drop for the stripping column. 

What is the average radius of influence you are experiencing with the ART Technology?

On the average, we are seeing a radius of influence of about 50 feet.  The smallest radius of influence has been approximately 30 feet; however, we have seen the radius of influence exceed 100 feet. 

How do you measure the radius of influence?

It is a function of several parameters including the height of the water column, the hydraulic conductivity, formation characteristics, as well as what we have seen at similar sites. If requested, we can begin with an ART demo to demonstrate the efficacy of the technology and determine design parameters.

How do you measure the radius of influence at a site?

The radius of influence is measured, at minimum, by monitoring changes in the following parameters, relative to conditions at start-up time (T0) in nearby monitoring wells.
1.Change in contaminant concentrations
2.Change in Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
3.Vacuum influences

Some clients have installed piezometers, pressure or temperature sensors. You are encouraged to install any technique you feel would assist you to confirm the radius of influence.

What are the typical O&M costs?

Incremental O&M costs should not exceed what you would expect with a typical air sparging/vapor extraction system.  It is anticipated that shortened project life will result in reduced overall O&M costs. At our site in South Bend, Indiana, the consultant determined that, with the ART system, time spent on O&M would be cut in half when compared to the projected time for a typical multi-point remediation system. 

Have you had any problems with rebound?

We have not experienced rebound at any of our closed sites. The Dynamic Subsurface Circulation cell flushes out those pockets of contamination that would otherwise remain trapped in the dead zone, the capillary fringe, etc.  These trapped pockets of contamination are what would normally contribute to rebound.

At our site in Isleton, California after clean up levels were reached, the ART system was shut off and sampling was continued.  Over the next few months, concentrations continued to decrease, proving that rebound was not occurring.  At this time, the site has received a letter of closure from the state of CA and the ART well has been pulled.  Link MTBE Site Closure

How will free product (LNAPL, DNAPL) affect the ART system?

This issue will be studied and addressed on a site by site basis. At many of our sites, LNAPL is present as coalesced droplets, squirts, ect.  Minor influxes of LNAPL into the well will be “chewed up” as we actively sparge, circulate, and vent within the well.In the event significant levels or slugs of LNAPL is encountered, the ART well can be configured as a total fluid recovery well to pump product to the surface.  This is another benefit of the field flexibility of the ART Technology. The ART Technology is designed to remove DNAPL via volatilization. At a site in Des Moines, Iowa one ART well removed approximately 10,000 pounds of VOCs in 5 months. Link to CH2M Hill Report

What about fouling of the well?

We have not experienced significant amount of fouling, bio or mineral, at any of our installations.  At one of our retrofitted sites, the previous traditional air sparging/SVE system had experienced fouling issues; however, we did encounter those issues.  One reason is the fact that we have consistently wetted surfaces vs. periodic wet-dry surfaces.  The wet/dry environment allows for evaporation and deposition of inorganic compounds such as calcium carbonate.  Further, we have consistent water flow velocity downhole, thus minimizing stagnant areas for fouling to occur. In the event we have a fouling issue, a drip system or a metered pump for remote, periodic feed of the appropriate remedy-e.g. bleach or pH adjustment or dispersant/surfactant can easily be installed. 

What are the standard system requirements?

Please note: The following are conceptual guidelines for requirements at the site.  Final determination of these parameters is made based on actual field parameters as part of startup process.

S  Compressed airflow to wellhead: approximately 10 scfm at pressure exceeding the water column in the well and friction loss in the sparging hose and head.  The compressor should have additional capacity of 5 to 10 scfm to increase sparging rate if needed.
S  Vacuum flow from wellhead: a function of the formation permeability, vadose zone contamination extent and other parameters.  Vacuum is usually approximately 3 times the sparging rate.
S  Power requirements for the pump: 110V or 220V, other information will be provided when a pump is selected.
S  Well screen interval: from bottom of contamination to 10 feet above high groundwater table levels within the same aquifer.  If separate distinct aquifers are to be crossed, additional evaluation will be required.
S  Well screen size and filter pack: adequate to mitigate migration of fines into well

What type of pump do you use?

When installing the ART Technology, the client will decide if they want to use an electric or pneumatic submersible pump.  The majority of our clients choose electric simply because it is less expensive.  However, in low flow situations or sites where water levels may drop below the bottom of the well, we may suggest pneumatic.  We typically use water pumps; however, environmental pumps are available at an additional charge.

Typically, we supply the pump.  The exact pump will be determined during project design.  The LowPerma Technology does not require a pump. I can see this working only at sites where SVE or Air Sparging would be viable. Because the technology consists of multiple versatile components, it can be used in a variety of geologic settings and with a range of contaminants.  The ART Technology has proven to work at sites where SVE, air sparging, pump and treat, and various injection technologies have not achieved remediation goals or simply stalled out.

This technology is effective and more forgiving for a wide range of soil types.  Design parameters can be tailored and manipulated depending on the hydraulic conductivity, soil types, etc.  For example, in tighter formations, tight soils can be compensated for by increasing sparged air, the recirculation rate or by intensifying the higher vacuum.  The system has proven effective in everything from tight, silty sands to shallow saturated thicknesses to fractured bedrock environments.  With this in mind, it is not the ‘magic bullet’.  It may not be the right technology for every site.  For example, the ART Technology is not designed for sites with lower soil permeability than 10-5 cm/sec.  If this is the case, the LowPerma Technology may be applicable.  This looks similar to UVB/DDC. Generally, the circulation wells of the past proved to be expensive, complicated, difficult to install and relied on one remediation concept to drive the circulation. The ART Technology uses five physical forces to drive the Dynamic Subsurface Circulation cell.

How much does the ART/LowPerma Technology cost?

The costs will be dependent on:
1.Number of wells – more wells, more discounts
2.Depth to groundwater
3.Geographic location
4.Site restrictions and conditions

Our costs include installing the ART or LowPerma system in an existing well, completing the ART or LowPerma wellhead, connecting it to pre-existing remediation facilities/utilities (except power), and starting the system (i.e. balancing the air flows) with the consultant.  We then turn the system over to the consultant for operation & maintenance.  We are available after start up to ensure system success and provide other follow up duties, as needed. 
Initial costs for a new installation at a relatively small site without remediation utilities in place are similar to those for an air sparging / soil vapor extraction system.  However, ART/LowPerma capital costs could be considerably less, depending on the radius of influence, soil types, and aerial extent of contamination.  The ART Technology has proven to do more with fewer points and demonstrated a larger radius of influence at every site where other technologies were already in place, therefore reducing the number of remediation points required, as well as the amount of trenching and piping.  The ART Technology has shown reduced time to site closure and lower O&M costs.  Therefore, for a typical site, TOTAL PROJECT COSTS may be approximately 50% (or less) than a typical air sparging/soil vapor extraction system alone and much lower than a pump and treat system. Retrofitted system total project costs are significantly lower than for a site with no existing remediation system equipment installed.  This is because much of the remediation capital infrastructure, such as blower, compressor, pump and wells, etc. may already be in place.  The client will be able to use capital equipment already purchased and won’t have to start over. 

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