Solar Powered Soil Vapor Extraction

Relevance:

Clients often need alternative remediation options in remote areas without a power source and solar-powered physical extraction systems are a perfect option for the southwest in porous the right lithologic conditions.
Eddy County, New Mexico

Project Characteristics:

Ensolum personnel installed a trailer mounted, solar powered soil vapor extraction (SVE) system to remove petroleum hydrocarbon impacts at depths ranging from 15 ft to 60 ft below ground surface. Ensolum personnel will continue to oversee operations and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and compliance with conditions of approval by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (NMOCD). Ensolum technicians will collect air samples to monitor results and calculate the volume of petroleum hydrocarbons removed via air emissions. Ensolum will also oversee the reporting to NMOCD throughout the lifecycle of the project. The system is anticipated to be in operation for the next 1 to 2 years. The SVE system was designed to maximize available runtime by initiating the SVE pump as soon as there is sunlight using a variable speed motor controller. System operation data and any alarms are available to view anytime via cellular telemetry. The system is expected to be moved to other viable SVE sites once cleanup goals are achieved, as the solar panels have a 25-year warranty. As the system is powered by sunlight and mounted on a trailer, the SVE system provides remediation flexibility to remote sites without electrical power. The minimal amount of required maintenance and telemetry allow for reduced site visits and a lower overall operational cost.