Air Sparge System for a Former Heating Plant at a Space launch base
MAE2 was selected after a competitive bid process to build and start up an integrated Air Sparge system for a former heating plant at a space launch base.
The system was designed to remediate a solvent plume and source area at the site of the former heating facility. There are 125 sparge wells spread across the site in order to create high air flow and radius of influence across the plume.
The design required two separate compressors and sparge manifolds. The first compressor was designed for the shallow depth wells and included a refrigerant dryer so that the air supply remained dry and at ambient temperature when leaving the system.
The completed system included a 60 HP variable speed rotary screw compressor capable of providing up to 295 CFM. The compressor automatically adjusts to provide only the air demand needed at any given moment which saves electricity and prolongs the life of the equipment. The system design included programmable timers that allow the user to rotate air delivery through the different site zones as desired. The project included remote operation and monitoring so that the performance could be viewed and adjusted as required.
The System controls display and log temperature, pressure, and CFM flow for the compressor and well field areas. The set points and operation timers can be adjusted remotely by phone or computer to maintain optimum efficiency.
The second compressor was designed for the deeper wells located in the more concentrated source area. The completed system included a 40 HP rotary screw compressor capable of providing up to 215 CFM. This system was piped directly from the compressor through the sparge manifold into the sparge wells. The concept was to use the elevated air sparge temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit to optimize source area mobilization and solvent breakdown. The manifold, electric valves, temperature, flow, and pressure transmitters all had to be designed and assembled to withstand the higher temperature of the sparge process air flow.
The systems were each installed in two utility trailers, custom designed to handle the size and weight of the compressors. Custom ductwork and climate control were designed to keep the interiors of each trailer at the low temperature and low humidity that the compressor requires for proper operation. The doors and vent openings on the trailers were also designed to support the compressor operation and maintenance needs.
The Master Control System (MCP) was designed to provide monitoring of the temperature, pressure and CFM flow for the compressor as well as the individual zones going out to the well field. The MCP allows the user to change the set points and zone operation timers to operate in any combination desired for optimum efficiency. Each trailer unit has its own operations control panel which is accessed by the MCP. The MCP was connected to internet based access via a cellular modem allowing for complete system control via any web connected computer or from a smart phone. The password protected remote access provides the same control screens and operational control that you get on site from the MCP.
