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Pneumatic fracturing and multicomponent injection enhancement of in situ bioremediation

  • US 5,560,737 A
  • Filed: 08/15/1995
  • Issued: 10/01/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing or eliminating non-naturally occurring subsurface, liquid contaminants from one or more soil formations, comprising:

  • a) pneumatically fracturing the soil formation, comprising;

    i) inserting a tubular probe partially into the soil formation such that at least one orifice of a nozzle fluidly connected with the tubular probe is positioned at a predetermined height; and

    ii) supplying a pressurized gas into the tubular probe such that the pressurized gas travels through the at least one orifice into the soil to produce a fracture network in said soil formation; and

    simultaneously with creation of said fracture network, or subsequently thereafter;

    b) inserting into said fracture network and thereby throughout adjacent portions of said soil formation, a pressurized gas stream, and introducing into said pressurized gas stream a mixture of one or more liquid amendments, and optionally water, wherein said pressurized gas, in conjunction with said liquid amendments and optionally water, has an oxygen or other electron acceptor content sufficient to promote the growth of aerobic or other microorganisms in said fracture network, and wherein said pressurized gas has a sufficiently high gas to liquid ratio to atomize said liquid amendments, whereby said amendments and optionally water are distributed throughout said fracture network and adjacent portions of said soil formation; and

    c) as necessary, repeating steps a) and b) on a sequential basis in order to treat additional portions of the soil formation(s), and on a periodic basis in order to replenish said liquid amendments and optionally oxygen or other electron acceptor to said fracture network and adjacent portions of said soil formation(s).

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