RECON system investigation of a former manufactured gas plant in Illinois

Illinois Power Company is voluntarily investigating 23 former manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites in Illinois. The multi-phased program consists of a Phase 1 noninvasive investigation, a Phase 2 invasive investigation, and a Phase 2 feasibility study/remediation. Illinois Power has successfully utilized the RECON System during the Phase 1 investigation of the Champaign, Illinois, MGP to determine the lateral and vertical extent of coal-tar/oil samples from depths up to 50 feet. The samples are then analyzed immediately with an on-board gas chromatograph for total petroleum hydrocarbons and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. The RECON System also has the capability of installing one-inch-diameter stainless-steel or PVC piezometers. The results of the RECON investigation were used to design the Phase 2 intrusive investigation. The number of test boreholes, monitoring wells, and chemical analysis samples needed to investigate the MGP were reduced significantly. Preliminary results from the ongoing Phase 2 investigation have confirmed the extent of contamination determined in the RECON investigation. By using the RECON System during Phase 1, Illinois Power's costs for conducting the intrusive Phase 2 investigation have been significantly reduced because test boreholes and monitoring wells were strategically placed in areas where they were needed