LNAPL recovery optimization at former petroleum refinery
Former Derby Refinery Wichita, Kansas
Challenge
The El Paso Merchant Energy Petroleum
Company (EPME-PC) approached
Subsurface Environmental Solutions, LLC
(SES) to provide LNAPL expertise at this
100 acre oil refinery. EPME-PC had
commissioned a laser-induced fluorescence
investigation of the property, but was finding
calibration of the data a challenge.
EPME-PC was also finding on-site recovery of LNAPL to be both
successful and profitable, but could not predict where the best areas for
recovery could be found on-site. Significant emphasis had been placed on
using LNAPL thickness in wells to site recovery wells. But LNAPL thickness
proved to be a poor metric for LNAPL recoverability. SES developed an
innovative scope of work to calibrate site LIF data, and developed a site-
wide LNAPL mobility map to use in predicting high-recovery LNAPL areas.
SES Value Added
Negotiated the scope of an LNAPL Management Plan with the
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Directed installation of direct push
borings parallel to 30 of the previously
installed LIF borings
Analyzed over 300 soil samples in the
field using Ultraviolet Fluorescence
field screening for DRO/EPH and GRO/VPH
Created 3D site model with Surfer and Voxler showing CPT and LIF
Developed method to calibrate LIF data with field screening and
analytical laboratory data
Developed a site-wide mobility map to show EPME-PC where the
most favorable locations for LNAPL recovery would be found
