Mobile injection device and method for delivery of remediation materials to underground contaminated soils and water

• US 5,511,907 A
• Filed: 05/12/1995
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph J. Tabasco
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Tabasco
• Inventors: Tabasco, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US08/439,640
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 405/128, 405/129, 405/258, 405/263, 405/269, 405/52, 175/67, 175/424, 210/747, 210/610, 210/922, 166/246, 435/262, 435/262.5
• US Class Current: 210/610
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/002 involving in-situ ground water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/10 microbiologically, biologically or by using enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 2101/00 In situ

Abstract

An apparatus and method for delivery of remediation material to treat underground contaminated soils and water having a hollow cylindrical pipe through which both to apply water under air pressure and to deliver the remediation materials. Tanks of water, nutrients, and bacteria are typically mounted on the platform of a flat-bed truck or on a trailer which is transported by means of a hitch. A compressor is connected to the tanks of water, nutrients, and bacteria to provide pressurized air to create flow of water, nutrients, and bacteria from the tanks to the underground contaminated soils and water.

Claims

1. Apparatus for delivery of remediation materials to underground contaminated soils and water, comprising:

a water tank for holding water under pressure;

a remediation materials tank for holding remediation materials under pressure;

a compressor to deliver pressurized air to said water tank and to said remediation materials tank to pressurize said tanks;

a hollow cylindrical pipe for drilling to a site of underground contamination and for delivering remediation materials to the site of the underground contamination;

a pressure tip attached to one end of said hollow cylindrical pipe; and

means selectively connecting the water tank and remediation materials tank, respectively, to the hollow cylindrical pipe so that when the water tank is connected to the hollow cylindrical pipe, water under pressure flows from the water tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe and from the pressure tip as a pressurized stream, the pressurized stream being capable of drilling into ground to allow the hollow cylindrical pipe to be inserted into the ground behind the pressurized stream to the site of underground contamination, and when the remediation materials tank is connected to the hollow cylindrical pipe, remediation materials flow from the remediation materials tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe and from the pressure tip.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water tank, remediation materials tank, and compressor are mounted on a vehicle for transport to a surface location above the site of underground contamination, and the means selectively connecting the water tank and remediation materials tank, respectively, to the hollow cylindrical pipe includes flexible hoses whereby the hollow cylindrical pipe is movable away from the vehicle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means selectively connecting the water tank and the remediation materials tank, respectively, to the hollow cylindrical pipe includes a manifold connected to the hollow cylindrical tank, a flow control valve between the manifold and the water tank, and a flow control between the manifold and the remediation materials tank.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the manifold is removably connected directly to the hollow cylindrical pipe at the end thereof opposite the pressure tip.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the manifold serves as a handle for manipulating the hollow cylindrical pipe.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flow control valves are connected directly to the manifold.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means selectively connecting the water tank and remediation materials tank, respectively, to the hollow cylindrical pipe includes at least one additional flow control valve between the manifold and the water tank, and at least one additional flow control valve between the manifold and remediation materials tank.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remediation materials tank includes two separate tanks, and wherein the means selectively connecting the water tank and remediation materials tank, respectively, to the hollow cylindrical pipe, separately connects each of the separate remediation materials tanks to the manifold.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressure tip includes a pipe coupler threaded onto the one end of the hollow cylindrical pipe leaving an open end of the pipe coupler, a pipe plug threaded into the open end of the pipe coupler, and a central hose extending through the pipe plug to form a nozzle.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the plug additionally includes a plurality of angled bases forming additional nozzles.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressure tip includes a pipe nipple threaded onto and over the one end of the hollow cylindrical pipe, and at least one bore extending through the nipple to form at least one nozzle.

12. Apparatus for delivery of remediation materials to an underground site of contamination, comprising:

a source of pressurized drilling fluid;

a source of pressurized remediation materials;

a length of pipe for insertion into the ground from the surface to the site of contamination, the pipe having a forward end;

means for selectively connecting the source of pressurized drilling fluid to the pipe so that when connected to the pipe the drilling fluid is forced, as a pressurized stream, from the forward end of the pipe, whereby the pressurized stream will drill a hole through the ground as the forward end of the pipe is inserted into the ground; and

means for selectively connecting the source of remediation materials flow from the forward end of the pipe.

13. A method for delivery of remediation materials to underground contaminated soils and water comprising:

obtaining a length of hollow cylindrical pipe;

forcing a drilling fluid as at least one high pressure stream from the forward end of the hollow cylindrical pipe into the ground adjacent to the forward end of the hollow cylindrical pipe to drill into such adjacent ground;

continually inserting the pipe into the drilled adjacent ground to move the pipe into the ground toward an area of underground contamination and present new ground to be drilled adjacent to the forward end of the pipe until the site of contamination is reached by the forward end of the pipe;

with the forward end of the pipe in the site of contamination, forcing remediation materials from the forward end of the pipe into the site of contamination.

14. A method for delivery of remediation materials to underground contaminated soils and water according to claim 13,

wherein the step of forcing a drilling fluid from the forward end of the hollow cylindrical pipe includes the steps of providing a drilling fluid tank, pressurizing the drilling fluid tank, and connecting the drilling fluid tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe so that pressurized drilling fluid flows from the drilling fluid tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe.

15. A method for delivery of remediation materials to underground contaminated soils and water according to claim 13,

wherein the step of forcing remediation materials from the forward end of the hollow cylindrical pipe into the site of contamination includes the steps of providing at least one remediation materials tank, pressurizing the at least one remediation materials tank, and connecting the at least one remediation materials tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe so that pressurized remediation materials flow from the at least one remediation materials tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe.

16. A method for delivery of remediation materials to underground contaminated soils and water according to claim 15,

wherein the steps of connecting the drilling fluid tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe and connecting the at least one remediation materials tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe include the step attaching a manifold to the hollow cylindrical pipe and attaching the drilling fluid tank and the at least one remediation materials tank, through respective hoses and valves, to the manifold whereby the valves are operated to selectively connect the drilling fluid tank and the at least one remediation materials tank to the hollow cylindrical pipe.

17. A method for delivery of remediation materials to underground contaminated soils and water according to claim 16,

wherein the length of hollow pipe is made up of sections, and the step of continually inserting the pipe into the drilled adjacent ground includes the steps of attaching a manifold to a section of hollow cylindrical pipe of a length to be handled by an operator, forcing a drilling fluid as at least one high pressure stream from the forward end of the section of hollow cylindrical pipe, continually inserting the section of pipe into the drilled adjacent ground until the section of pipe is inserted into the ground a desired distance, discontinuing the forcing of drilling fluid from the forward end of the section of pipe, disconnecting the manifold from the section of pipe, connecting an additional section of pipe that has been inserted into the ground, attaching the manifold to the additional section of pipe, resuming the step of forcing the drilling fluid from the forward end of the pipe and continually inserting the section of pipe and the additional section of pipe into the drilled adjacent ground, and repeating steps of disconnecting the forcing of drilling fluid, disconnecting the manifold from the section of pipe, connecting an additional section of pipe to the pipe in the ground, attaching the manifold to the additional section of pipe, forcing drilling fluid from the forward end of the pipe and continually inserting the pipe and additional sections into the drilled adjacent ground until the site of contamination is reached.