Dynamic flow chamber development for studies of vapor intrusion in contaminated sites

• Grant number: 22/16468-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Gardenalli de Freitas
• Grantee: João Braz Custódio de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50343-2 - Institutional development plan in the area of digital transformation: advanced manufacturing and smart and sustainable cities (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

The quantification of vapors emission in contaminated sites is of great importance, but rarely performed in Brazil. Vapor intrusion from the subsurface is one of the main exposure pathways. Furthermore, quantification of vapor emissions can be used to estimate biodegradation rates and assess the impact of remediation alternatives for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, this research aims to develop a dynamic flow chamber, instrumented with pressure equalization systems and sensors for monitoring temperature and vapors concentrations in real time. Initially, the system will be validated in bench tests under different operating conditions. In the second stage, pilot field tests will be performed in a contaminated site, to evaluate the efficiency of the system in obtaining data in field conditions. The availability of previous environmental characterization data for the site will be one of the criteria for defining the application site.