Managing Complex Thermal Remediation at Superfund Wetland Site
Project Summary
Integral coordinated all aspects of a complex thermal remediation project, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and system optimization at a chlorinated solvent-impacted Superfund site.
Integral Consulting was retained to coordinate all site construction and environmental monitoring activities for a complex thermal remediation project at a contaminated Superfund wetland site. The project utilized Electro Resistive Heating – Multi Phase Extraction (ERH-MPE) technologies to recover chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs), requiring meticulous coordination between contractors, regulators, and technical teams while maintaining strict safety protocols in a sensitive environmental setting.
Challenge
Managing thermal remediation technology in a shallow wetland environment while coordinating multiple contractors, ensuring zero safety incidents, and meeting strict EPA requirements proved exceptionally complex.
The contaminated Superfund site presented unique challenges for implementing ERH-MPE technology. The shallow wetland environment demanded specialized approaches for CVOC recovery while protecting sensitive ecological features. The project required seamless coordination between site contractors, USEPA officials, USACE representatives, and the client—all while operating under the strict requirements of the EPA’s Record of Decision.
The dynamic nature of the remediation system created unforeseen technical obstacles that threatened project timelines. With hazardous materials including PCBs present on-site and the potential for fugitive vapor emissions, maintaining the health and safety of workers and the surrounding community became paramount. The project demanded someone who could not only manage logistics but also provide real-time technical expertise to troubleshoot system operations.
Our Role
We served as the central coordinator and technical advisor, managing all aspects of project execution from safety oversight to waste disposal while optimizing system performance.
Our team took ownership of the project’s most critical responsibilities. We implemented comprehensive daily air monitoring programs using PIDs and colorimetric gas detector tubes to screen for fugitive emissions and vinyl chloride. When any detection exceeded Site Health & Safety Plan limits, we initiated immediate corrective actions to restore system integrity.
Integral managed the fast-paced sampling program, developing safe procedures and fabricating specialized sampling systems for collecting “HOT” TO-15 and TO-13 vapor samples. We coordinated with multiple analytical laboratories, maintained equipment inventories, and ensured all sampling met regulatory requirements.
Drawing on years of remediation system experience, our team provided crucial technical assistance for ERH-MPE operations. We guided daily system operations through obstacles, troubleshot technical problems, and optimized treatment system functions. Every aspect of hazardous waste management—from characterization and profiling through proper containment and certified disposal—fell under our supervision, including materials containing PCBs.
To maintain seamless information flow, we conducted daily site meetings with USACE representatives, discussing system performance, maintenance schedules, and safety issues in detail. Our daily logs and field reports kept all stakeholders informed and aligned.
What We Delivered & Results
Through meticulous coordination and technical expertise, Integral achieved successful CVOC recovery with zero safety incidents while maintaining continuous system operations.
Our comprehensive approach delivered exceptional outcomes across all project metrics. The ERH-MPE system successfully recovered CVOCs from the challenging wetland environment, meeting all remedial action objectives defined in the EPA’s Record of Decision. Most importantly, we maintained a perfect safety record—zero incidents throughout the project despite handling hazardous materials and operating complex thermal remediation equipment.
Our proactive troubleshooting and system optimization kept the treatment system operational through multiple unforeseen challenges, preventing costly delays. The rigorous air monitoring program protected both workers and the surrounding community, with all fugitive emissions detected and addressed before they could pose risks.
Every waste stream, including PCB-contaminated materials, was properly characterized, handled, and disposed of in full regulatory compliance. Our daily communication protocols and comprehensive documentation satisfied all EPA and USACE requirements while keeping the project team fully informed. The client benefited from reduced downtime, optimized system performance, and the confidence that comes from sound safety and regulatory compliance.