Electrode heating with remediation agent

• US 20060110218A1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRS China LLC
• Original Assignee: Thermal Remediation Services
• Inventors: Beyke, Gregory L., Dodson, Michael E., Powell, Thomas D., Wolf, Jerry L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,290,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/128.800
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/00 Reclamation of contaminated soil
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/06 thermally
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/08 chemically
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/085 electrochemically, e.g. by electrokinetics
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/10 microbiologically, biologically or by using enzymes

Abstract

A remediation method and system is disclosed. A plurality of conductors is installed into the subsurface to introduce electrical current to produce heat in the subsurface. One or more agents are released into the subsurface to cause or accelerate the decomposition of one or more pre-existing halogenated organic compounds and release halogen ions, improving electrode performance.

Claims

1. A remediation method comprising:

installing a plurality of heating electrodes into the subsurface to introduce electrical current to produce heat in the subsurface;

producing halogen ions from within or near one or more of the heating electrodes by releasing one or more contaminant decomposing agents.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more agents are released at one time.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the one or more agents are released into the subsurface a plurality of times.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the one or more agents are released into the subsurface continuously over a period of time.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein more than one agent is released into the subsurface, and wherein one or more agents are released at one time and one or more agents are released either discreetly or continuously over a period of time, or both.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released by injecting it into the subsurface.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released by pumping it into the subsurface.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released before energizing the conductors.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released while the conductors are energized.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released after the conductors are energized.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of oxidant, biostimulant, catalyst, reducing agent and water with a pH increasing agent, or a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one conductor is selected from the group consisting of pipe electrode, cable electrode or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the conductor is formed by:

boring a hole in the ground;

providing a casing in the borehole; and

providing a conductive backfill within the casing.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the conductors is inserted horizontally with respect to the ground surface.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the conductors is inserted vertically with respect to the ground surface.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the conductors is inserted at an acute angle with respect to the ground surface.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the reducing agent is steel shot manufactured by cold working.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released within two radii from the outside surface of the electrode.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released within one radius from the outside surface of the electrode.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is released from within the electrode.

21. A system comprising:

a plurality of conductors positioned into the subsurface to introduce electrical current to produce heat in the subsurface;

a contaminant decomposing agent introduction device; and

a contaminant decomposing agent disposed at or near one or more of the conductors the agent capable of producing, a diffusion of halogen ions outward from the one or more conductors;

wherein the system is capable of carrying out the method of claim 1.

22. A remediation method comprising:

installing a plurality of conductors into the subsurface to introduce electrical current to produce heat in the subsurface;

releasing one or more agents to cause or accelerate the decomposition of one or more pre-existing halogenated organic compounds and release halogen ions;

wherein the one or more agents include steel shot used as a reducing agent.