Approximate analysis of the containment of contaminated sites prior to remediation

This study presents an approximate analytical model, which can be useful for the prediction and requirement of vertical barrier efficiencies. A previous study by the authors has indicated that a single dimensionless parameter determines the performance of a vertical barrier. This parameter is termed the barrier Peclet number. The evaluation of barrier performance concerns operation under steady state conditions, as well as estimates of unsteady state conditions and calculation of the time period requires arriving at steady state conditions. This study refers to high values of the barrier Peclet number. The modeling approach refers to the development of several types of boundary layers. Comparisons were made between simulation results of the present study and some analytical and numerical results. These comparisons indicate that the models developed in this study could be useful in the design and prediction of the performance of vertical barriers operating under conditions of high values of the barrier Peclet number.