In-situ surfactant and chemical oxidant flushing for complete remediation of contaminants and methods of using same
First Claim
1. An abiotic process for polishing at least one surfactant remediated subsurface contaminant in order to further remediate at least one subsurface contaminant to substantially undetectable levels, comprising the step of:
- introducing an effective amount of at least one pre-selected chemical oxidant capable of degrading the remaining at least one of subsurface contaminant to substantially undetectable levels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to the removal of subsurface contaminants and methods of using same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an integrated method for remediating subsurface contaminants through the use of a low concentration surfactant solution (and methods of making and using novel surfactant solutions) followed by an abiotic polishing process to thereafter achieve a substantially reduced subsurface contaminant concentration that surfactant flushing alone cannot achieve. The present invention is focused on remediation of high viscosity hydrocarbons, such as heating oils or coal tars, with a combination of pre-injection of bio-co-solvent and surfactant (and polymer) flush approach.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An abiotic process for polishing at least one surfactant remediated subsurface contaminant in order to further remediate at least one subsurface contaminant to substantially undetectable levels, comprising the step of:
introducing an effective amount of at least one pre-selected chemical oxidant capable of degrading the remaining at least one of subsurface contaminant to substantially undetectable levels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for substantially removing subsurface contaminants, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an effective amount of at least one pre-selected surfactant solution, comprising the steps of; determining a contaminant solubilization of a surfactant system; determining a surfactant sorption and precipitation of the surfactant system; determining a surfactant non-aqueous phase liquid behavior properties of the surfactant system to assess a potential for surfactant losses under subsurface conditions; and performing contaminant extraction-column studies to simulate flow through conditions in the aquifer; introducing an effective amount of at least one pre-selected chemical oxidant, comprising the steps of; determining relative reaction rates of the reactant; determining the life span of the reactant; evaluating the chemical demand associated with pH adjustment; and identifying geochemical characteristics of the site; wherein the effective amount of at least one pre-selected surfactant in combination with the effective amount of at least one pre-selected chemical oxidant is capable of substantially removing subsurface contaminants. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method for determining chemical addition ratios and reaction times for a chemical oxidation system, comprising the steps of:
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determining reaction kinetics; determining pH conditions; determining naturally occurring interference within the subsurface of the specific site; and determining mobility control of the injected oxidant to the targeted area.
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10. A subsurface contaminant site substantially remediated by the process comprising the steps of:
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introducing an effective amount of at least one pre-selected surfactant solution; and introducing an effective amount of at least one pre-selected chemical oxidant, wherein the effective amount of at least one pre-selected surfactant in combination with the effective amount of at least one pre-selected chemical oxidant is capable of substantially removing subsurface contaminants. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A subsurface contaminant site substantially remediated by the process comprising the steps of:
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introducing at least one surfactant solution capable of remediating at least one subsurface contaminant; and sequentially introducing at least one pre-selected chemical oxidant. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification