Month: January 2022

Efficient Remediation 

A cost- effective and timely remediation is often dependent on the implementation of innovative remedial technologies. RiskCom optimizes soil- and groundwater remediation by thoroughly analysing site conditions and selecting the most cost-effective remediation technologies. Examples of passive methods are capping and impermeable barriers; active methods include classic technologies such as pump & treat, air sparging, or soil vapour extraction, and newer approaches such as chemical, biological, or thermal in-situ treatment. Our i-SAV^© in-situ Efficiency Program offers targeted and  hydraulically induced stimulation and  emplacement  services to overcome the limitations of conventional in-situ approaches. For more details click here. This results in a significant improvement in overall remedial performance, even at sites  where existing in-situ remediation systems are in place.

Our services:

• Excavation and large diameter borings;
• Site safeguarding with Pump & Treat;
• Cold and warm soil vapour extraction;
• Thermal in-situ Remediation (TISR) using in-house equipment;
• Bioremediation;
• In- situ chemical oxidation (ISCO);
• Optimization of existing, operational remediation systems;
• I-SAV^© in-situ Efficiency Program with in-house equipment, protocols and experience.
• Our competencies also enable us to serve as prime contractor on our clients‘ behalf.

Top right: i-SAV^© in-situ efficiency program: Creation of pathways leading to a significantly improved injection 

Bottom right: Thermal in-situ remediation (TISR)

One of our core competencies for over 20 years is the effective assessment of Brownfield sites, environmental impact studies including potentially impacted properties, and targeted investigations using proven and new  investigative technologies to develop realistic conceptual site models, as well as the development of efficient remedial strategies. We place value on open and co-operative  collaboration  with our clients and on honest communication with all involved parties.

Our services:

• Phase I – Investigations;
• Phase II – Investigations;
• Assessment of Brownfields and of environmental impacts;
• Historical research and assessmens of existing investigations;
• Geological und hydrogeological investigations (preliminary, comprehensive, and remedial investigations);
• Hazard estimates, risk assessment, review of alternative options, and feasibility studies.

A successful remediation is only possible on the basis of accurately delineated contaminant source areas and associated contaminant plumes. The appropriate remediation strategy is dependent on the quality of the remedial investigation. Especially important is a dependable assessment of groundwater conditions using relevant site characterization data, pumping tests, and subsequent modelling.

RiskCom uses the advantage of numerical simulation for the determination of groundwater flow and contaminant transport properties, thus enabling a prediction of contaminant spreading. The results form the basis for the selection, preparation, and implementation of appropriate remedial technologies.

Our services:

• Pumping tests (air, water);
• Site characterization (geotechnical, hydrogeological);
• Multi-zonal contaminant investigations and development of conceptual site models;
• Groundwater-/Contaminant transport modelling, seepage predictions;
• Site decommissioning and remedial planning / optimization of remediation techniques using RiskCom’s in- situ Efficiency Program (I-SAV^©);
• Robust, quantitative and risk-based feasibility studies;
• Expert review, e.g. on preparation of remedial contracts;
• Acquisition and management of funding grants.

Risk Analysis to Optimize your Opportunities

A study from the Hertie School of Governance promulgated in May, 2015 confirmed the earlier results of research, including what we hear and read in the daily media, namely: 170 major projects in Germany, for which 141 billion Euros were budgeted, ended up costing 200 billion Euros more. The reported average cost overrun for completed major projects was 73% and 41% for uncompleted projects. The study named a combination of technical, economic, political, psychological factors, conflicts of interest, over- optimism, and a systematic underestimation of risk and overestimation of benefits as reasons for the project specific cost overruns.

The Federal Ministry for Transportation and Digital Infrastructure developed an „Action Plan for Major Projects“ to address this problem, and the plan was subsequently passed in December 2015 by the Federal Cabinet. 

The federal government will thereafter require that risk management plans for major projects be optimized accordingly.

The underlying causes often lie beyond the immediate sphere of influence of the project director. However it is exactly these causes that must be recognized and analysed in advance. We support your efforts at seeking clarity by transforming uncertainties into a farsighted vision based on the conceptualization of inherent project risks.

We improve the dependability of forecasts using our comprehensive and strategic Risk Analysis and Opportunity Models to ensure a successful outcome of your project.

Strategies for Project Execution and Business: Management Systems 

Corporations of all sorts realize the advantages of a professional Risk and Opportunities Management system. Long term success depends on a qualified informational foundation that manifests itself as increased freedom of action and decision making. We support you in the development of Risk and Opportunities Management Systems by combining systematic intelligence technologies with creative thinking in our analyses.  This enables a pro-active, constructive and intelligent capability for responding to challenges from existing and future business situations.

The result is a dependable and long lasting Opportunity and Risk Management system for redundant and diverse process- and project related procedures.

Our thorough research comes into effect on corporate and project specific threats and risks, before we define the criteria for a quantitative evaluation. This systematic approach is implemented for selected riskgroups, dominated by humans, technology, or force majeure. Realistic business scenarios are used in the simulation in order to build and quantify an overall situation profile along with the associated individual risks. The results are then used to develop a catalogue of mitigative and corrective measures so that you can respond to technical and business management challenges to the best interest of your corporate and project goals.

Risk Studies to Increase your Probability of Success

Societies are continually faced with new risks due to global political and economic changes. Solutions to these challenges are not always initially at hand, and are a cause for uncertainty among citizens. Even economies are significantly challenged by such change, and whoever wishes to remain current with the times needs to stand up to and face these challenges.  Contemporary examples, cited almost daily in the media, include among others, transition to green energy, industry 4.0, hydraulic fracturing, refugees, etc.

Risk studies on both large and small scales help to produce clarity and thereby reduce uncertainty. The ideal time to carry out a study is immediately before the introduction of new technology. The results of risk studies provide and valuable and fundamental contribution for subsequent discussions.

Risk studies help prevent the unnecessary focus on issues that are not scientifically or technologically relevant.

They enable an early detection of risks and provide a framework for a subsequent risk assessment. This also allows an improved ranking of priorities, if for example larger risks can be excluded from the beginning.

RiskCom has gained extensive experience in recent years from conducting risk studies for national and international regulators and industry. Since risk assessments are, as a rule, of immediate political, economic, and technical relevance, RiskCom places special emphasis on a scientifically based data and transparent and credible risk analysis process. Should the implementation of a risk study require a broad spectrum of expert knowledge, then RiskCom will organize a panel of experts that represent the various areas of interest that reflect those of the community. The results of a RiskCom risk study are guaranteed to elicit trust in the community due the plausibility and credibility of our expert testimony.

By introducing heat sources into the substrate, anhydrite swelling can be prevented. We own a patent for this.

Anhydrite is one of the most critical rocks in underground mining due to its massive swelling capacity through water absorption. For countless structures built on gypsum keuper (e.g. tunnels, roads, etc.), costly damage is repeatedly recorded and expensive repair measures have to be initiated. The renovation measures are extremely time-consuming and usually not sustainable. Damage caused by swelling elevations in tunnel structures in Switzerland and France as well as in the greater Stuttgart area are typical examples of this. In only short periods of time and even during the construction work, uplifts caused by swelling caused by anhydrite can occur.

In the case of anhydrite, which occurs in nature, hydration can lead to an increase in volume of up to 61% due to swelling. After that, lithological gypsum is present.

At normal pressure and freshwater conditions, the conversion of anhydrite into gypsum usually only takes place up to a temperature of 58 °C. Recent unpublished studies even assume conversion temperatures well below 58 °C.

When the subsurface is heated, the swelling rate is significantly slowed down and the swelling pressure is significantly reduced. Thus, artificial soil heating represents a sustainable and in the long term cost-effective remediation method.

RIMPro^© transforms complex projects, such as the construction of industrial plants or infrastructure projects, into reliably calculable undertakings in just seven steps.

• Risk Identification
• Risk Assessment
• Quantitative Analysis
• Control Measures
• Risk Management
• Risk Monitorting

The risks and opportunities can thus be calculated reliably to guarantee entrepreneurial success. A developer planning a pipeline must, for example, not only integrate the technical planning into the process but also the surrounding communities as well as the communication required to achieve acceptance.

For the operation of an industrial production plant, such things as environmental compliance and the acceptance of the population are perhaps as decisive a factor as the technical production orientation.

You recognise the individual risks, the overall risk and the risk-relevant relationships. Systematically, objectively and without information losses. The software is the result of our cooperation with science and practice. This future-safe instrument allows risks and opportunities to be precisely measured, quantified and handled. Risk management supported by RIMPro© corresponds to international standards, meets the legal requirements and receives tax recognition.