Method and system for remediation of groundwater contamination
First Claim
1. A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of mutually spaced wells intersecting said groundwater region;
(b) providing a treating flow of acetic acid from one or more of said wells into said groundwater region, to establish acidic conditions therein;
(c) introducing a turbulent flow of an aqueous solution of ferrous ion into said groundwater region, for mixing with said acidified groundwater, thereby providing a catalyst for disassociation of hydrogen peroxide; and
(d) providing a treating flow of hydrogen peroxide solution from one or more of said wells into said groundwater region, said hydrogen peroxide undergoing a Fenton-like reaction in the presence of said acidic conditions and said ferrous ion to generate hydroxyl free radicals for oxidizing said contaminants.
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Abstract
A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants. A plurality of mutually spaced wells are provided which intersect the groundwater region. A treating flow of acetic acid is provided from one or more of the wells into the groundwater region, to establish acidic conditions. A turbulent flow of an aqueous solution of ferrous ion into the groundwater region is generated for mixing with the acidified groundwater, thereby providing a catalyst for disassociation of hydrogen peroxide. A treating flow of hydrogen peroxide solution from one or more of the wells into the groundwater region is then provided, so that the hydrogen peroxide may undergo a Fenton-like reaction in the presence of the acidic conditions and ferrous ion to generate hydroxyl free radicals for oxidizing the contaminants. An apparatus system for practicing the method is also disclosed.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a plurality of mutually spaced wells intersecting said groundwater region; (b) providing a treating flow of acetic acid from one or more of said wells into said groundwater region, to establish acidic conditions therein; (c) introducing a turbulent flow of an aqueous solution of ferrous ion into said groundwater region, for mixing with said acidified groundwater, thereby providing a catalyst for disassociation of hydrogen peroxide; and (d) providing a treating flow of hydrogen peroxide solution from one or more of said wells into said groundwater region, said hydrogen peroxide undergoing a Fenton-like reaction in the presence of said acidic conditions and said ferrous ion to generate hydroxyl free radicals for oxidizing said contaminants. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated subterranean static plume of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a plurality of mutually spaced wells intersecting said static plume groundwater; (b) measuring the change in water depth at each of said wells following atmospheric precipitation, to determine by common depth changes the likelihood of said plume; (c) confirming the existence of the static plume by generating a test flow of a solution of hydrogen peroxide or acetic acid from one of said wells and monitoring the absence of pH changes at each other of said wells as a function of time; and (d) providing a treating flow of solutions of acetic acid, of ferrous ion, and of hydrogen peroxide from each of said wells to establish a radial sweep about each said well, the total volumes and respective concentrations of treating solutions being effective to bring about a Fenton-like reaction generating hydroxyl free radicals for oxidizing said contaminants.
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22. A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants, comprising:
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establishing acidic conditions at said groundwater region; and introducing flows of aqueous solutions of ferrous ion and of hydrogen peroxide into said groundwater region, for mixing with said acidified groundwater;
said hydrogen peroxide undergoing a Fenton-like reaction in the presence of said acidic conditions and said ferrous ion to generate hydroxyl free radicals for oxidizing said contaminants. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification