Numerical modeling and performance evaluation of passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier(PC-PRB)

The passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier(PC-PRB)was proposed to address the limitations of traditional PRB configurations.To evaluate the hydraulic and pollutant removal performance of the PC-PRB system,we developed a simulation code named PRB-Trans.This code uses the two-dimensional(2D)finite element method to simulate groundwater flow and solute transport.Case studies demonstrate that PC-PRB technology is more efficient and cost-effective than continuous permeable reactive barrier(C-PRB)in treating the same contaminated plume.Implementation of PC-PRB technology results in a 33.3%and 72.7%reduction in PRB length(L_(PRB))and height(H_(PRB)),respectively,while increasing 2D horizontal and 2D vertical pollutant treatment efficiencies of PRB by 87.8%and 266.8%,respectively.In addition,the PC-PRB technology has the ability to homogenize the pollutant concentration and pollutant flux through the PRB system,which can mitigate the problems arising from uneven distribution of pollutants in the C-PRB to some extent.The L_(PRB)required for PC-PRB decreases as the water pipe length(L_(p))increases,while the H_(PRB)required initially decreases and then increases with increasing L_(p).The effect of passive well height(Hw)on H_(PRB)is not as significant as that of L_(p)on H_(PRB).Overall,PC-PRB presents a promising and advantageous PRB configuration in the effective treatment of various types of contaminated plumes.

Passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier (PC-PRB): An effective configuration to enhance hydraulic performance

A novel permeable reactive barrier(PRB)configuration,the so-called passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier(PC-PRB),is proposed to overcome several shortcomings of traditional PRB configurations,such as high dependency to site hydrogeological characteristics and plume size.The PC-PRB is designed to make the plume converge towards the PRB due to the passive hydraulic decompression-convergent flow effect.The corresponding passive groundwater convergence(PC)system is deployed upstream of the PRB system,which consists of passive wells,water pipes,and a buffer layer.A two-dimensional(2D)finite-difference hydrodynamic code,entitled PRB-Flow,is developed to examine the hydraulic performance parameters(i.e.,capture width(W)and residence time(t))of PC-PRB.It is proved that the horizontal 2D capture width(Wh)and vertical 2D capture depth(Wv)of the PC-PRB remarkably increase compared to that of the continuous reactive barrier(C-PRB).The aforementioned relative growth values in order are greater than 50%and 25%in this case study.Therefore,the PRB geometric dimensions as well as the materials cost required for the same plume treatment lessens.The sensitivity analysis reveals that the dominant factors influencing the hydraulic performance of the PC-PRB are the water pipe length(Lp),PRB length(LPRB),passive well height(Hw),and PRB height(HPRB).The discrepancy between the Wh of PC-PRB and that of the C-PRB(i.e.,∆Wh)has a low correlation with PRB parameters and mainly depends on Lp,which could dramatically simplify the PC-PRB design procedure.Generally,the proposed PC-PRB exhibits an effective PRB configuration to enhance hydraulic performance.