A Matrix Based Approach for Modelling of Treatment Processes for Contaminated Groundwater

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When dealing with contaminated sites, one of the main problems to be faced is the treatment of groundwater. In fact, in order to contain the contamination and to remediate the site, a common managing and operational option is to extract the groundwater and treat it at the surface prior to discharge. This remedial strategy is referred to as conventional pump-and-treat technology and its purpose is to remove or reduce contaminants concentrations so that, after the discharge of the treated water, the receiving waters meet the relevant quality objectives and provisions required by local or national regulations, directives or standards. Towards this aim, in the present research work, a matrix based approach has been adopted for modelling a treatment process for contaminated groundwater. In particular, it has been considered a modified Broadbent and Callcott breakage-matrix whose elements have been replaced by first-order kinetic equations that represent the depletion rate of contaminants’ concentrations. The adopted approach allows determining the proper recirculation ratio in a groundwater treatment process for achieving the water quality objectives for discharge. Field tests have been conducted for the setting up of the mathematical model to be used for the revamping of an evaporating tower. The results of chemical analyses carried out on groundwater samples, collected in the input and the output flows of the evaporative tower, confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed approach.