AbstractSoil parameters controlling vapor flow in the subsurface are necessary to design soil vapor extraction (SVE) cleanup systems. Previous work assumes a confined flow model, with concrete and asphalt surface covers providing the confining layer and preventing air leakage into the zone of vapor transmission. SVE field tests conducted as part of this investigation, however, exhibited responses that are inconsistent with a confined flow model; it appears that the real world leaks. This paper develops a transient soil vapor extraction (SVE) testing method that considers the effects of vertical leakage. Analytic methodologies are developed that allow use of commonly available ground‐water flow type curves to evaluate SVE test data. The key implications of leaky compared to confined flow are (1) smaller values of derived vapor permeability, and (2) decreased radial cleanup efficacy, both with time and distanc
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