Method and apparatus for treating hydrocarbon and halogenated hydrocarbon contaminated ground and ground water
First Claim
1. A method of treating hydrocarbon-contaminated ground water to reduce the level of contamination comprising:
- (a) removing ground water from a location proximate to, and down gradient of ground water flow through, an area of ground containing hydrocarbon contamination;
(b) treating the removed ground water with nutrients and gases for a period of time sufficient to reduce the level of hydrocarbon contamination and to enhance the growth of hydrocarbon consuming microorganisms in the removed ground water, said nutrients and gases being suitable for enhancing the growth of hydrocarbon-consuming microorganisms and for reducing the level of contamination; and
then;
(c) returning the treated water containing microorganisms, nutrients and gases to the ground at a position upgradient of ground water flow through the contaminated area toward said removal location; and
(d) adding gases into the ground of the contaminated area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating ground and ground water contaminated with hydrocarbon and halogenated hydrocarbon compounds. Treatment of contaminated water removed from the ground is accomplished by microorganisms which consume the contaminants. Growth of microorganisms is enhanced under controlled conditions by addition of nutrients and gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a combination of these and other gases to the contaminated water. Treated water carrying microorganisms, nutrients and gases is returned for recirculation through the contaminated area of ground to leach out and biodegrade the contaminants deposited in the ground. Microorganism activity is also enhanced in the ground by injection of nutrients and oxygen or other gases into the ground and ground water in the contaminated area.
150 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of treating hydrocarbon-contaminated ground water to reduce the level of contamination comprising:
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(a) removing ground water from a location proximate to, and down gradient of ground water flow through, an area of ground containing hydrocarbon contamination; (b) treating the removed ground water with nutrients and gases for a period of time sufficient to reduce the level of hydrocarbon contamination and to enhance the growth of hydrocarbon consuming microorganisms in the removed ground water, said nutrients and gases being suitable for enhancing the growth of hydrocarbon-consuming microorganisms and for reducing the level of contamination; and
then;(c) returning the treated water containing microorganisms, nutrients and gases to the ground at a position upgradient of ground water flow through the contaminated area toward said removal location; and (d) adding gases into the ground of the contaminated area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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9. A method of treating an area of ground contaminated by hydrocarbon compounds comprising:
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(a) removing water from a location down gradient of the contaminated ground; (b) treating the removed water with gases and nutrients for a period time sufficient to enhance the growth of hydrocarbon-consuming microorganisms and reduce the level of contaminants; and
then(c) returning the treated water to the ground at a position upgradient of ground water flow through the contaminated ground in an amount sufficient to raise the ground water level in the contaminated area to a level at which all of the contaminated ground is contacted; (d) injecting gases into ground water in the contaminated area; and (e) allowing said returned and additional water to flow through the contaminated area toward said removal location. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for treating hydrocarbon-contaminated ground water with microorganisms to cause biodegradation of the hydrocarbon contaminants comprising:
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(a) means for removing hydrocarbon contaminated ground water from an area which is contaminated, said means being capable of extracting substantially all water flowing through said contaminated ground; (b) means for treating said removed water with nutrients and gases to increase the biodegradation activity of the microorganisms; (c) means for settling solid material from said treated water; (d) means for adding nutrients and gases to said treated water; (e) means for recirculating the nutrient-laden treated water to a position proximate the contaminated area, said proximate position chosen so that said water will flow through the contaminated area toward the removal means. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30)
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28. Apparatus for treating hydrocarbon-contaminated ground water with microorganisms to reduce the level of contamination, comprising:
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(a) means for removing substantially all water which has percolated through an area of ground in which contaminants are present from a location proximate said area; (b) means for transferring said removed water with hydrocarbon contaminants to a separate treatment area; (c) means for treating said removed water by addition of nutrients and gas to cause an increased growth of microorganisms capable of biodegrading said hydrocarbon contaminants; (d) means for settling the treated water; (e) means for adding nutrients and gases to said treated water; (f) means for transferring said nutrient-carrying water to a position proximate said contaminated ground such that natural or directed flow of water through said ground will carry said nutrient-carrying water through the area of contaminated ground to the removal means; and (g) means for injecting said treated nutrient-carrying water and gases into the ground at said position. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification