Method of removing and controlling volatile contaminants from the vadose layer of contaminated earth
First Claim
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1. A method of recovering and controlling a volatile contaminant from a vadose layer of contaminated earth comprising the steps of:
- establishing a first borehole in said contaminated earth, said first borehole terminating in said vadose layer;
establishing a second borehole spaced from said first borehole in said contaminated earth and which terminates in said vadose layer;
positioning a first conduit in said first borehole, said first conduit extending from said borehole to above ground level, with said first conduit being of smaller diameter than said first borehole;
positioning a second conduit in said second borehole, with the second conduit extending from said second borehole to above the ground level, with said second conduit being of smaller diameter than said second borehole;
packing a fill material about each first and second conduit in their respective boreholes;
operatively connecting said first and second conduits by a third conduit wherein said first conduit is in fluid flow communication with said second conduit;
positioning means for neutralizing said volatile contaminant along said third conduit in flow communication therewith;
positioning first pump means for drawing gasses from said contaminated earth in flow communication with said first and second conduits;
activating said first pump means wherein gas is drawn out of said vadose layer to create an area of substantially reduced pressure which causes substantial quantities of said volatile contaminant to vaporize and be drawn up through said first conduit into said neutralizing means to produce clean air;
positioning a second pump means between said neutralizing means and said second conduit in flow communication therewith wherein said clean air is passed under pressure from said neutralizing means into said second conduit to enhance gas flow in said vadose layer towards said first borehole; and
positioning a cover formed of fluid impervious material atop said ground level about each borehole whereby said clean air remains in said vadose layer and urges said contaminant towards said first borehole.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus of collecting volatile contaminants from the vadose layer of earth. The apparatus is a closed-loop device which includes one or more contaminant withdrawal wells surrounded by multiple air reinjection wells connected by a conduit. One or more pumps serve to draw volatilized contaminant through the withdrawal well to the connecting conduit where it is captured or neutralized. Residual air from the withdrawal well is urged back into the ground through the air reinjection wells to encourage further contaminant to move toward the withdrawal well for collection.
103 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of recovering and controlling a volatile contaminant from a vadose layer of contaminated earth comprising the steps of:
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establishing a first borehole in said contaminated earth, said first borehole terminating in said vadose layer; establishing a second borehole spaced from said first borehole in said contaminated earth and which terminates in said vadose layer; positioning a first conduit in said first borehole, said first conduit extending from said borehole to above ground level, with said first conduit being of smaller diameter than said first borehole; positioning a second conduit in said second borehole, with the second conduit extending from said second borehole to above the ground level, with said second conduit being of smaller diameter than said second borehole; packing a fill material about each first and second conduit in their respective boreholes; operatively connecting said first and second conduits by a third conduit wherein said first conduit is in fluid flow communication with said second conduit; positioning means for neutralizing said volatile contaminant along said third conduit in flow communication therewith; positioning first pump means for drawing gasses from said contaminated earth in flow communication with said first and second conduits; activating said first pump means wherein gas is drawn out of said vadose layer to create an area of substantially reduced pressure which causes substantial quantities of said volatile contaminant to vaporize and be drawn up through said first conduit into said neutralizing means to produce clean air; positioning a second pump means between said neutralizing means and said second conduit in flow communication therewith wherein said clean air is passed under pressure from said neutralizing means into said second conduit to enhance gas flow in said vadose layer towards said first borehole; and positioning a cover formed of fluid impervious material atop said ground level about each borehole whereby said clean air remains in said vadose layer and urges said contaminant towards said first borehole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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- 4. Apparatus for recovery and neutralization of volatile contaminants from a vadose layer of contaminated earth, said apparatus comprising a first conduit positioned within a first borehole terminating in said vadose layer, said conduit extending from said first borehole above ground level, a second conduit positioned within a second borehole spaced from said first borehole and terminating in said vadose layer, said second conduit extending from said second borehole to above said ground level, said first conduit operatively connected to and in flow communication with said second conduit by a third conduit, first pump means positioned along one of said first and third conduits for drawing gasses from said vadose layer to produce a substantial area of reduced pressure in said first conduit wherein said volatile contaminant is vaporized and drawn from the ground, means for neutralizing said volatile contaminant positioned in flow communication with one of said first and third conduits to produce a purified fluid, said apparatus further including a cover formed of fluid impervious material positioned atop said ground level about each borehole whereby said purified fluid remains in said vadose layer and urges said contaminant towards said borehole, and second pump means for passing said purified fluid from said neutralizing means into said second conduit and back into said vadose layer under pressure to enhance gas flow in said vadose layer towards first borehole.
Specification