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Apparatus and method for removing volatile contaminants from phreatic water

  • US 5,575,589 A
  • Filed: 04/11/1995
  • Issued: 11/19/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A closed-loop process for removing volatile contaminants from a contaminated area of the earth, wherein the contaminated area of the earth has a phreatic zone, the contaminant being present in the phreatic zone, which comprises the steps of:

  • establishing a trench extending downwardly from the surface of the ground within the contaminated area, said trench having a lower portion substantially within the phreatic zone and an upper portion substantially within the vadose zone;

    placing an injection pipe having a perforated surface in the bottom of said lower portion of said trench;

    filling fluid-permeable fill material into said lower portion of said trench above the water table so that said fill material will permit fluid to flow readily through said lower portion;

    placing an extraction pipe having a perforated surface into said trench upper portion;

    filling fluid-permeable fill material into said upper portion of said trench up to the ground surface so that said fill material will permit fluid to flow readily through said upper portion;

    sealing said trench at said ground surface to prevent gas passage between said trench and the atmosphere;

    applying air under pressure to said injection pipe effective to induce a flow of air from said injection pipe into said trench lower portion; and

    applying a vacuum to said extraction pipe effective to induce a flow of air and a gas containing vapor of said contaminant present in said trench upper portion into said extraction pipe so that said contaminant is removed from said ground.

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