Location: Bakersfield
Project Overview: The site is located on the southeastern portion of a 30-acre parcel, approximately 75 feet north of the Kern River in Bakersfield, California. From approximately 1964 until 1987, the site was used by various companies as a petroleum coke storage and production facility. Petroleum coke is a by-product of the petroleum refining process. Since 1987, the Site has remained vacant and unused. Manufacturing processes used in the past resulted in piles of excess petroleum coke being left on the surface of the site.

The scope of remedial action included preparation of a Remedial Action Workplan (RAW), upgrading the existing rail spur so that materials can be transported from the site via railway, mobilizing equipment, establishing a field office, and conducting a biological and wildlife survey to ensure no “taking” of endangered species.

The removal action was initiated in the spring of 2003 and involved separation and screening of approximately 100,000 tons of petroleum coke, sand, and debris by various methods including physical screening and use of a magnet.

The material that passed through this screening process and exhibited acceptable levels of BTU and ash content, was transported via rail to a limestone quarry and lime product plant in Arizona, where the material was used as fuel.

Debris material that was separated by the screening process and material that had unacceptable levels of BTU and ash content, was characterized and profiled for disposal at a Class I landfill located in Kettlemen Hills, California, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements. After the removal action, confirmation sampling was undertaken, and the results used to conduct human health and ecological risk assessments.

In addition to the remedial action, Trihydro also oversaw lead and asbestos surveys of the existing seven site structures, and asbestos abatement and demolition of approximately 27,000 square feet of combined office, storage, and warehouse facilities.

Location: Bakersfield, California
Project Overview: Trihydro was contracted to provide operation and maintenance services for an existing 4000 scfm soil vapor extraction system at an operating petroleum refinery in Bakersfield, California. Trihydro modified the 4000-scfm design and had the system fully operational within two months, significantly increasing the online performance of the unit.

Rapidly changing groundwater conditions at the refinery necessitated more aggressive subsurface remediation. Therefore, Trihydro personnel designed, assisted in the construction of, and operated an expanded 21,000-scfm vapor extraction system in addition to the original 4,000-scfm unit. The major components of the 21,000 scfm unit designed by Trihydro includes three Roots Blower systems (7,000 scfm each), one 450 hp Roots injection blower, six 13,500 pound granular activated carbon beds (desorbed by steam), all condensate handling equipment, an air stripper, an oil water separator, a cooling tower, and a 650 cfm air compressor.

The system is automatically controlled by PLC. Trihydro personnel were responsible for negotiating the air quality permit for the expanded VES with the San Joaquin Air Quality Control District (SJAQCD). Trihydro simultaneously designed, installed, and operated a 36-well air sparge network to remediate groundwater underlying the refinery. The system has been recently expanded and the system continues to operate. Both the VES and air sparge systems were constructed in accordance with the refinery's General Engineering and Material Specifications (GEMS).

Trihydro also conducted a number of related environmental activities at this refinery including:

• Monitoring groundwater quality throughout the refinery and producing reports for submittal to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)
• Negotiating cleanup standards with the RWQCB
• Designing and installing monitoring and remediation wells to increase their useful lifespan during rapidly changing groundwater levels (both rising and falling)
• Conducting refinery-wide soil and groundwater quality investigation, identifying possible sources of soil and groundwater degradation in previously unidentified areas
• Conducting numerous other environmental assessment and remediation projects at the refinery including projects utilizing technologies such as enhanced bio-venting, land farming, small scale soil vapor extraction, and free product recovery