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Refractive Flow and Treatment Systems: Conceptual, Analytical, and Numerical Modeling
Author(s) -
Edwards David A.,
Dick Vincent B.,
Little James W.,
Boyle Susan L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
groundwater monitoring and remediation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-6592
pISSN - 1069-3629
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6592.2001.tb00747.x
Subject(s) - permeability (electromagnetism) , environmental remediation , numerical modeling , vadose zone , subsurface flow , hydraulic conductivity , flow (mathematics) , numerical models , geotechnical engineering , groundwater , petroleum engineering , geology , environmental science , soil science , contamination , mechanics , chemistry , soil water , geophysics , physics , membrane , ecology , biochemistry , biology
Refractive flow and treatment (RFT) systems are designed for passive or low‐maintenance in situ ground water remediation for rock or soil of low to moderate permeability. An RFT system captures and refracts contaminated ground water and conveys it to an in situ permeable treatment zone without the need for pumping. Flow to the treatment zone is through one or more high‐permeability collection cells, and flow from the treatment zone back into the adjacent native media is through one or more high‐permeability dispersal cells. Conceptual, analytical, and numerical modeling demonstrates the potential for RFT systems to be successful. Analytical modeling shows that the most important factor for this success is that RFT system components be engineered to have comparatively high hydraulic conductivities. A numerical model, capable of representing site‐specific conditions, is required for actual RFT system design.