We have developed an integrated management system for the hydraulic barrier
with checks on both operating parameters (which can be fully managed remotely),
and maintenance parameters (anomalies and blockages on the Barrier’s functional units).
The main advantages delivered by this system include:
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fast and effective remote monitoring of the hydraulic barrier
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lower operating costs thanks to high integration and centralisation
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lower maintenance costs
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much faster response time
Our integrated system brings together three main functions
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control of the amount of water drawn from each well and the wells’ piezometric levels
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control of Hydrocarbon (HC) recovery systems (Skimmer)
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collection, separation, measurement and recovery of hydrocarbons (HCs)
The entire system is controlled by a network of PLCs (programmable logic controllers) located near the well drilling sites and controlled by a SCADA system (System Control And Data Acquisition) for centralised management of all Barrier control parameters.


MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT
Hydraulic efficiency assessment
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measurement of the quantities of water drawn and of the volumes of extracted contaminants
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measurement of piezometric levels and water/NAPL interface
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reconstruction of the piezometric surface
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definition of the catchment front
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reconstruction of the NAPL plume
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management of pumping configurations


Example of NAPL plume reconstruction


Isoconcentration map
Verification of hydrochemical effectiveness
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groundwater sampling and testing
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graphic plotting of the spatial and temporal distribution of contaminants
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assessment of the evolution of contamination (isoconcentration maps)
To assess the hydrochemical effectiveness of the hydraulic barrier we use an operational protocol that includes:
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estimate of the mass of contaminant removed from each well
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concentration/time plotting for the target parameters measured by the piezometers
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basic statistical calculations on concentration values measured at all the monitored piezometers
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calculation of the cumulated frequency of the concentrations of each contaminant measured at all piezometers monitored
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isoconcentration maps
MAINTENANCE
Our hydraulic barrier maintenance services include:
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preparation of maintenance schedules
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maintenance of pumping system, wells and piezometers
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spare parts inventory management
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preparing reports
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periodic analysis of operational disruptions



Steps in the design and deployment of a hydraulic barrier.
A hydraulic barrier protects a site from the contaminants present in soil or groundwater.
The barrier isolates the contaminated areas.