Vapor-extraction system for removing hydrocarbons from soil
First Claim
1. A process for performing soil remediation comprising the steps of:
- burning a hydrocarbon fuel at a fire well at a first location to produce combustion gasses and injecting the combustion gasses below grade with said fire well;
withdrawing gaseous vapors with an extraction well at a second location; and
reinjecting said gaseous vapors into said fire well at said first location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a closed-loop, thermal process for remediating soil contaminated with hydrocarbon chemicals; it is particularly well suited for the remediation of soils containing hydrocarbons with relatively high boiling points and for the remediation of soils which contain clays or silts. The process uses a combination of at least one extraction well which is used to withdraw vapors from contaminated soil and at least one injection well, called a "fire" well which is used to burn both a source of hydrocarbon fuel and all of the hydrocarbons present in the recovered vapors and then inject the combustion gases into contaminated soil. The heat in the combustion gases is used to raise the temperature of the contaminated soil and volatilize hydrocarbons in the soil. Dielectric heating can be used to supplement the heating performed by the combustion gases.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A process for performing soil remediation comprising the steps of:
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burning a hydrocarbon fuel at a fire well at a first location to produce combustion gasses and injecting the combustion gasses below grade with said fire well; withdrawing gaseous vapors with an extraction well at a second location; and reinjecting said gaseous vapors into said fire well at said first location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for performing soil remediation comprising:
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a fire well extending below grade, having a first end, located nearer grade and provided with a gas-injection port near said first end, and a second end further from grade, having exit perforations near said second end; a burner in fluid communication with said fire well for transmitting combustion products through said fire well; a vapor-recovery well extending below grade, having a first end nearer grade and a second end further from grade, and having inlet perforations and having a withdrawal port; a fluid blower having a suction in communication with said withdrawal port and an outlet in fluid communication with said gas-injection port of said fire well. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification