CRYOCELL is a containment system which provides real-time monitorable, earthquake resiliant, brownout proof, diffusion free full containment and isolation, that is removable and repairable in-situ. The system involves the formation of a flow-impervious, removable ice barrier which can fully circumscribe hazardous substances underground, provide diversionary boundaries for groundwater or waste streams, and can also be used in conjunction with all next step in-situ remediation technologies. The CRYOCELL design process begins with a client filling out a site questionnaire. The data obtained from a client is then modeled to determine the "best fit" and optimum operating configuration for a given site.
In general, the CRYOCELL design involves drilling parallel arrays of 4" to 6" freeze pipes outside and below a contaminated zone, completely surrounding the contaminated source or groundwater plume, much like the ribs of a canoe. Once installed, the array of freeze pipes is connected to freeze plants by a distributive manifold and supplied with cooled brine at -20 degrees C to -40 degrees C to freeze the volume of soil between the pipes and the entire inner volume of earth between the pipe rows, resulting in a barrier 35'-75' thick (thickness varies with site design). The depth of an installation can be in excess of 500'.
CRYOCELL engineering is site specific, with designs incorporating ISO 14000 standards. RKK, Ltd.'s proprietary Thermodynamic Modeling/Monitoring program incorporates all site characteristics into a three dimensional model, which RKK uses to design installations and estimate site costs. After barrier installation, this program's model data is compared with on-site monitoring systems data, such as flow and temperature systems, electromagnetic imaging and ground penetrating radar, to develop a real-time computer image of barrier status throughout its life-cycle. Barrier control is regulated via this same system.
For answers to commonly asked questions, Q&A
Field Tested, certified and documented in a US DOE Innovative Technology Summary Report (DOE/EM-0273) [known as a "Green Book"] entitled "Frozen Soil Barrier Technology", ready for immediate implementation. Also commercially installed.
This system provides monitoring of temperature, pressure, and soil moisture and will be installed along with rows of freeze pipes, providing real-time monitoring and control. In addition, ground penetrating radar and electropotential devices can be pre-installed prior to freezing to provide assurance that a barrier has formed a hermetic seal. Ground penetrating radar offers a visual representation of the forming ice barrier. An electropotential system measures changing electrical conductivity due to growth of ice in the soil and locates any unfrozen "windows" in the barrier. These devices are combined with the temperature monitoring systems for continuous real-time surveillance of the ice barrier, which can be remotely monitored using a personal computer and compatible communications software. Three-dimensional imaging through computer animation techniques enhance the monitoring process throughout the barrier's life-cycle. For a more in-depth description, Click Here.
Ground freezing has been used in civil engineering to provide groundwater control and structural excavation support over 100 years. Subsurface in-situ CRYOCELL barriers have been installed at:
CRYOCELL technology provides site specific design and performance standards capable of meeting the most stringent of regulatory requirements and allowing cost effective long-term and short-term applications. It is one of the few barrier technologies listed in the Environmental Protection Agency's SITE Technology Program, 7th & 8th Editions.
For information on how CRYOCELL is being used today in the civil market click here.
Initiatives On-line August issue contains a good article on our demonstration at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Check it out.
The Department of Energy Emergency Management (EM) Division has CRYOCELL frozen soil barriers listed in its online Technology Summaries. This is a definitive resource for DOE applications of frozen soil barrier technology.
The Department of Energy has published "Subsurface Contaminants Focus Area, Technology Summary, August 1996" which includes a great write-up on CRYOCELL and its application at WAG-9 in Oak Ridge. This document is available at:
The Commercial Environmental Cleanup--The products and services directory is available from Rust Geotech, Inc. Grand Junction , CO (United States); USDOE Grand Junction Projects Office, CO (United States). Nov 1995. 1200p. DOE Contract AC0486ID12584. Sup.Doc.Num.E 1.99:"DE96004909. NTIS Order Number DE96004909. Primary Report Number: DOE/ID/12584--230. Source: OSTI (DOE and DOE contractors only); NTIS (Public Sales); GPO Dep. (Depository Libraries) and lists RKK, Ltd. on pages T165 and T636.
Dan Mageau of GeoEngineers, Inc. is a specialist in the realm of frozen soil barrier containment of tritium.
Barriers for Hydraulic Diversion
One area that has attracted interest in the DOE remediation market is the use of barriers for hydraulic control. The barriers would be installed near the edges of contaminated plumes to direct the groundwater flow towards a treatment zone. The barriers would be designed to meet the conditions and site specific objectives. These hydraulic control barriers could be either cryogenic, sheet pile or tubular. The cryogenic barriers are virtually depth unlimited and can be rapidly installed and easily removed after the plume has been remediated. The capture treatment zone can be used with a CRYOCELL enclosure or other methods that are suitable for the specific conditions. Also, in support of an in-situ remediation project, it may be desirable to install a redundant barrier as a cut-off directional wall, or to reduce flow of groundwater into a contaminated zone.
RKK has in place a Cooperative Know-How and Licensing Agreement with the University of Washington. Under this Agreement, RKK works closely with Dr. Gregory Dash, Professor Emeritus of the Physics Department on R&D for development of new technologies and improvement of our current technologies.
Contacts at the University of Washington include: