[Home] [Master Table of Contents]

[Report Table of Contents] [Next Section]

AOC 65 Soil Vapor Extraction System - Operation and Maintenance Plan

Section 5 - System Maintenance

Although the blower system installed is very low maintenance, periodic system checks are required to ensure proper operation and long life. Recommended maintenance procedures and schedule are described below. Manufacturers’ equipment information is presented in Appendix B.

5.1 - Vacuum Blower, Piping and Instrumentation

5.1.1   Vacuum Blowers

Two blowers were installed, one existing and one new blower. The existing blower was used periodically at SWMU B-3 for approximately three years. The approximate operating life of a properly maintained blower may extend up to five years. However, this maybe shortened should abrasive particles pass the filter element.

The blowers and motors are relatively low maintenance and may not require any maintenance during the operational period. Both the blower and motor have sealed bearings that do not require periodic lubrication.

5.1.2   Piping

The different piping (or plumbing) materials used were selected both for durability and environmental resistance as well as ease of installation. Only periodic visual inspection is required to make sure the network is intact, tight, and undamaged. Damage to piping could occur due to landscaping, unloading activities or any other work activities in the area.

5.1.3   Blower Filter

Filter inspection must be performed with the system turned off. Do not change the FCV settings before re-starting a blower unless a rebalancing of the VEWs is desired.

The filter elements should be checked monthly and replaced a minimum of every six months. Typical filter element replacement intervals are estimated at three to six months depending on blower run time.

To remove the filter:

	Turn the system off by opening the disconnect,
	Loosen the three clamps or the wing nut on the filter top,
	Lift the metal top off the filter, and
	Lift the filter element from the metal housing.
	Reinstall new element by reversing order of disassembly.

The replaceable air filter element is manufactured by GAST Manufacturing, Inc. in Benton Harbor, MI (269) 926-6171. Spare filter elements were not purchased. However, replacement filter elements can be obtained directly from the manufacturer or from the supplier Southwestern Controls, San Antonio office, 210-613-2900 or Houston office at 713-777-2626 (replacement filter elements for both blowers are GAST Model AJ 135G).

5.2 - Granular Activated Carbon Adsorption Unit

The GAC adsorber is a Waterlink/Barnebey Sutcliffe V-1M Vapor Phase Adsorber with 16” manway on top for removal and fill of GAC. The unit has no moving parts and does not require any routine maintenance other than replacement of GAC when spent. Breakthrough of VOCs will indicate the GAC is spent, but this is strictly a function of blower flowrate and VOC concentration, or more precisely the mass quantity of VOC removed. Periodic monitoring of inlet and outlet concentrations should provide an indication of when GAC will require replacement. In general vapor phase adsorption is fairly efficient so a year or more would not be an excessive period between changeouts especially since removal rates are low and a 1000 lb of GAC is in place. Nonetheless, GAC analysis is proposed after the initial six months of operation so that the required changeout frequency can be analytically estimated.

5.3 - Maintenance Schedule

In general, SVE systems are very reliable when properly maintained. Occasionally, however, a motor or blower will develop a problem. If a blower fails to start, and an electrician verifies that power is available at the blower or starter, Parsons should be contacted to arrange for repairs.

Twice monthly inspections are recommended (see Section 4) for the blower systems. During the initial operation, more frequent monitoring may be needed to ensure that any startup problems are quickly corrected. See Appendix B data collection sheets for recording maintenance activities.

[Next Section]