Modeling Pd-Catalyzed Destruction of Chlorinated Ethenes in Groundwater

Groundwater contamination by chlorinated ethenes is a widespread environmental problem. Shortcomings in conventional remediation methods have motivated research into novel treatment technologies. A palladium/alumina catalyst in the presence of molecular hydrogen gas (referred to hereafter as the Pd/H2 system) has been demonstrated to destroy chlorinated ethenes in contaminated groundwater. This study presents a model for aqueous-phase destruction of chlorinated ethenes in contaminated groundwater using the Pd/H2 system that includes catalyst deactivation and regeneration. The model is validated using published data from laboratory column experiments from Stanford University. The model is then coupled with an analytical groundwater flow model to simulate application of in-well Pd/H2 reactors for in situ treatment of chlorinated ethene contaminated groundwater in a recirculating horizontal flow treatment Well (HFTW) system. Applying the model under realistic conditions results in approximately 130 days of HFTW system operation without significant catalyst deactivation. This suggests catalyst deactivation will not significantly affect system performance in a real remediation scenario. The model presented in this study, which simulates deactivation kinetics and regeneration of an in-well catalyst that is a component of a recirculating well system designed for in situ treatment of contaminated groundwater, represents an important step in transitioning the Pd/H2 technology to the field.