PERMEABLE REACTIVE BARRIER INSTALLATION USING THE BIOPOLYMER SLURRY TRENCH METHOD

The Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) is a new form of technology involving the subsurface emplacement of zero valent iron or other reactive media for the purpose of the in situ treatment of contaminated groundwater by intercepting contaminated plumes and transforming them into environmentally acceptable forms. The PRB can be used to treat several forms of contamination such as chlorinated solvents, dissolved metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons.

The PRB has several methods of installation that are currently being used and are still being developed. Some methods tend to be more complicated than others, however the method of installation chosen should be dependent on the particular application and construction limitations. Aside from using conventional excavation techniques, PRB's have been installed using soil mixing, jet grouting, and slurry wall technologies. This paper will focus on the later, with a focus on biopolymer slurry trench construction methods.