In situ water and soil remediation method and system
First Claim
1. A method for remediating a contaminated site comprising the steps of:
- increasing a porosity of soil at a site containing ground water, the soil having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein;
introducing a first compound into the site, the site essentially chemically untreated prior to the first compound introduction;
permitting the first compound to diffuse through the site;
introducing a second compound into the site, the second compound comprising an oxidizing agent reactable with the first compound to release a free radical;
permitting the first and the second compounds to react to release a free radical;
introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the site for optimizing the reaction between the first and the second compounds; and
permitting the free radical to act upon a site contaminant to form an environmentally neutral species.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The remediation treatment creates environmentally neutral species from hydrocarbon contaminants. For soils having a low porosity, fissures are created in the site by, for example, fluid, i.e., hydraulic or pneumatic, fracturing. A catalyst is injected into the site and is permitted to diffuse through the site. An oxidizing agent is then introduced into the site to release a free radical in a Fenton-type reaction. The compounds react to release a free radical, which acts upon the contaminants to form environmentally neutral species. Diffusion of both compounds is aided by turbulence induced in the groundwater. A pH-adjusting compound is added to optimize reaction conditions. Reaction vapors are collected above ground, filtered, and vented to the atmosphere, reducing the chance for gas pressure buildup and possibly dangerous, potentially explosive conditions.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method for remediating a contaminated site comprising the steps of:
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increasing a porosity of soil at a site containing ground water, the soil having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein;
introducing a first compound into the site, the site essentially chemically untreated prior to the first compound introduction;
permitting the first compound to diffuse through the site;
introducing a second compound into the site, the second compound comprising an oxidizing agent reactable with the first compound to release a free radical;
permitting the first and the second compounds to react to release a free radical;
introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the site for optimizing the reaction between the first and the second compounds; and
permitting the free radical to act upon a site contaminant to form an environmentally neutral species. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for remediating a contaminated site comprising the steps of:
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increasing a porosity of soil at a site containing ground water, the soil having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein;
introducing a first compound into the site;
permitting the first compound to diffuse through the site;
introducing a second compound into the site, the second compound comprising an oxidizing agent reactable with the first compound to release a free radical;
during the first and the second compound introducing steps, causing turbulence in the ground water to facilitate dispersion of the first and the second compound throughout the site;
permitting the first and the second compounds to react to release a free radical;
introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the site for optimizing the reaction between the first and the second compounds; and
permitting the free radical to act upon a site contaminant to form an environmentally neutral species. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
the first and the second compound introducing steps comprise injecting the first and the second compound at a first location; and
the turbulence-causing step comprises injecting a gas in a plurality of on/off pressure cycles at a second location in spaced relation to the first location.
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19. The method recited in claim 16, wherein:
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the first and the second compound introducing steps comprise injecting the first and the second compound at a first location; and
the turbulence-causing and the pH-adjusting steps comprise injecting cabon dioxide gas in a plurality of on/off pressure cycles at a second location in spaced relation to the first location.
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20. The method recited in claim 19, wherein the second location comprises a depth lower than a depth of the first location.
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21. A method for controlling a Fenton-type reaction at a contaminated site comprising the steps of:
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increasing a porosity of soil at a below-ground contaminated site containing ground water, the soil having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein;
introducing a Fenton reagent into the site;
enhancing a diffusion of the Fenton reagent throughout the site;
introducing an oxidizing agent into the site;
enhancing a diffusion of the oxidizing agent throughout the site;
permitting a Fenton reaction to occur, releasing a free radical;
introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the site for optimizing the reaction between the Fenton reagent and the oxidizing agent; and
permitting the free radical to act upon a contaminant to form environmentally neutral species. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method for delivering a Fenton-type reaction to a contaminated below-ground site comprising the steps of:
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creating a portal into a contaminated site beneath a water table thereof, the contaminated site essentially free from prior chemical treatment;
increasing a porosity of soil at the site;
introducing a Fenton reagent into the portal;
permitting the Fenton reagent to diffuse through the site;
introducing an oxidizing agent into the portal;
permitting a Fenton reaction to occur, releasing a free radical for acting upon contaminant bonds to create environmentally neutral species therefrom; and
introducing a pH-adjusting agent into the site to optimize the Fenton reaction. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
creating a second portal into the site in spaced relation to the first portal beneath a depth thereof; and
injecting a gas into the second portal in a plurality of on/off pressure cycles.
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28. The method recited in claim 27, wherein the gas comprises carbon dioxide.
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29. A system for remediating a contaminated site comprising:
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means for increasing a porosity of soil at a site containing ground water, the soil having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein;
means for sequentially introducing a first and a second composition into the site, the site essentially chemically untreated, the first and the second compositions comprising Fenton-type reactants;
means for adjusting a pH of the site to optimize a Fenton reaction between the first and the second compositions; and
means for introducing turbulence in the ground water, for facilitating a dispersion of the first and the second composition throughout the site and for enhancing a mixing thereof. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
means for creating a bore having a diameter sufficient to place the first and the second pipe thereinto and a depth sufficient to reach beneath a water table of the site; and
a fluid-permeable packing for surrounding the first and the second pipe in the bore.
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48. The system recited in claim 29, wherein the porosity-increasing means comprises means for creating fissures in the soil.
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49. The system recited in claim 48, further comprising means for injecting into the fissures means for holding the fissures open.
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50. The system recited in claim 49, wherein the holding means comprises a proppant.
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51. The system recited in claim 50, wherein the proppant comprises a graded sand.
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52. A remediation site for reducing a below-ground contaminant level, the site comprising:
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ground water and soil having been essentially chemically unpretreated, the soil having a porosity sufficiently low to inhibit liquid diffusion therethrough;
a contaminant plume having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein present in the ground water and the soil;
means for increasing a porosity of the soil;
means for sequentially introducing a first and a second composition into the contaminant plume, the first and the second compositions comprising Fenton-type reactants;
means for introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the ground water and the soil; and
means for introducing turbulence in the ground water, for facilitating a dispersion of the first and the second composition throughout the contaminant plume and for enhancing a mixing thereof. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54)
means for producing a partial vacuum; and
a vapor capture portal having a bottom opening below ground spaced above the contaminant plume and a top opening above ground in fluid communication with the vacuum producing means.
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Specification