In-well air stripping, oxidation, and adsorption

• US 6,283,674 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2000
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arcadis Geraghty & Miller Inc. (Arcadis N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Arcadis Geraghty & Miller Inc. (Arcadis N.V.)
• Inventors: Suthersan, Suthan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): SUCHFIELD, GEORGE A
• Application Number:
  US09/566,513
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 166/312, 405/52, 405/128, 405/128.15, 405/128.45, 405/128.5, 210/170, 210/747, 210/758, 210/760
• US Class Current: 210/747.8
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/002 involving in-situ ground water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/005 Extraction of vapours or gases using vacuum or venting
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/08 chemically
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 2101/00 In situ

Abstract

A method and system for removing contaminants for the phreatic zone, also known as the saturation zone, or groundwater. The technique involves gas sparging and oxidation while increasing the surface area for mass transfer by the placing of packing balls into the eductor tube. The system is comprised of a means for supplying gas/ozone mixture to the lower extent of a well which induces a flow of groundwater and gas bubbles up the well. The system contains a conduit within the well, which extends below the water table The conduit has a lower fluid-permeable section which is located below the water table and an upper fluid-permeable section which is adjacent the water table.

Claims

1. A method for removing contaminants from groundwater, comprising:

providing a well extending from the ground surface into the saturated zone;

providing a conduit within the well, the conduit having a lower fluid-permeable section below the water table and an upper fluid-permeable section at the water table;

injecting a gas into the lower extent of the well to induce a flow of groundwater and gas bubbles up the well;

providing material in the conduit so that the groundwater and gas bubbles flow over a surface of the material causing contaminants to be transferred to rising gas bubbles.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising treating the gas bubbles to remove contaminants.