Capture zone modeling for photovoltaic microgrid powered pump and treat remediation

Author

John Patrick Conroy

Abstract

"Remediation systems protect human health and the environment by removing harmful contaminants from the environment. Pump and treat groundwater remediation systems typically rely on utility power to continuously pump contaminated groundwater to an above ground treatment unit. However, the use of renewable energy (solar and wind) for a pump and treat remediation system can reduce the output of harmful greenhouse gases and the need for coal-based utility power.

This paper describes a hypothetical renewable energy powered pump and treat remediation system that uses an off-grid photovoltaic array to power a submersible solar water pump. The pump operates on an intermittent schedule predicted by the available solar irradiance via an empirically characterized microgrid prediction model. This model is based on data taken at an off grid PV-powered microgrid.

The intermittently operated pump generates an effective capture zone defined by multiple transient capture zones. Effective capture zones are modeled using Visual MODFLOW and MODPATH and are compared against a continuously pumped steady state capture zone. The comparison showed that a renewable energy powered, intermittently pumped, remediation system can perform 90% as effective as a utility powered, continuously pumped, remediation system"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Elmore, A. Curt

Committee Member(s)

Crow, Mariesa
Cawlfield, Jeffrey

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geological Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2012

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

Capture zone modeling for photovoltaic microgrid powered P&T remediation

Pagination

xiii, 56 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 53-55).

Rights

© 2012 John Patrick Conroy, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Groundwater -- Purification -- MethodologyPumping machinery -- DesignPhotovoltaic power generationRenewable energy sources -- Research

Thesis Number

T 10047

Print OCLC #

843942530

Electronic OCLC #

908638450

Recommended Citation

Conroy, John Patrick, "Capture zone modeling for photovoltaic microgrid powered pump and treat remediation" (2012). Masters Theses. 5989.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/5989