XFLOW: Training Software Simulating Contaminant Site Characterization and Remediation:
 Steve Lerman and Dennis McLaughlin , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.


Goal:


The objective of this project is to develop Microsoft Windows 95 compatible, educational software for training DoD personnel who are involved in the characterization and remediation of subsurface contamination at hazardous waste sites. The software to be provided is an enhanced version of XFLOW, a software package that has been used at MIT to teach characterization and remediation of hazardous waste sites. This project will extend the educational capabilities of XFLOW and will port the sub from the UNIX operating system to Windows 95. The project will also provide training documentation and develop sample applications to military sites.


Rationale:


NHSRC has indicated a need for training of government officials in site characterization and remediation (FY 95 Request for Proposals). This project will produce an interactive computing environment for instructing students in the concepts of characterization and remediation of hazardous waste sites. We believe the effectiveness of training can be greatly increased by exposing students to realistic sites at which budgets for site characterization and remediation activities are imposed and information is limited. The enhanced version of XFLOW will meet these requirements. In addition, this project builds on XFLOW software that has already been used successfully at MIT and represents an efficient transfer of proven technology to a professional training/retraining setting.


Approach:


The training software developed in this project will be based on XFLOW. An educational software package developed to introduce chemical and civil engineering students at MIT to the characterization and remediation of subsurface contamination. To extend the capabilities of XFLOW to meet the needs of the larger engineering community, four tasks have been identified:

  1. Enhance the capabilities of XFLOW to improve classroom effectiveness,
  2. Port the enhanced software from UND to MS Windows 95,
  3. Prepare training materials for instructors and users, and
  4. Host workshops on XFLOW and its use in training activities. Each of these tasks will be completed as part of this project .

The project is in its second year. To date, we have accomplished the following tasks. We have ported XFLOW from UNIX (MS Windows 95, renaming the Windows 95 software Cleanup!), and have prepared a beta Version for outside review. We have enhanced the simulation capabilities and user interface of Cleanup!. We are upgrading Cleanup! To make it compatible with MS Office applications such as Word and Excel. In so doing, we will efficiently provide full featured, easy to learn Notebook capabilities for student reporting by taking advantage of widely available Microsoft software. We have developed training materials based on a case study of Otis AFB, including more realistic parameters for the site as well as the capability of simulating three plumes at the site, CS-4, CS-10, and LF-I. We have begun development of an interactive Website that enables users to review example simulations and a case study and allows users to download Cleanup! and provide feedback.


Clients/
Users:


Clients and users including DoD and contractor personnel responsible for training DoD personnel in the characterization and remediation of hazardous waste sites.