Direct oxygen injection groundwater remediation method and system

• US 6,517,288 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2001
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Water Remediation Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Water Remediation Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Schindler, A. Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MITCHELL, KATHERINE W
• Application Number:
  US09/903,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20020187007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 465/128.45, 465/128.5, 465/128.7, 465/128.75, 210/758, 210/764, 210/610, 175/67
• US Class Current: 405/128.5
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/002 involving in-situ ground water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/10 microbiologically, biologically or by using enzymes

Abstract

A bioremediation method and system for destroying of reducing the level of contaminants in a contaminated subterranean body of water includes a plurality of spaced injection sites. The injection sites extend below ground and intersect a body of groundwater. Each of the plurality of injection sites are in communication with a supply of concentrated oxygen. The oxygen is conveyed by a delivery mechanism from the supply of oxygen to the injection points to naturally reduce the contaminants in the groundwater.

Claims

1. A method for remediating a contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of contaminants, comprising:

providing at least one injection point extending from above ground to the subterranean body of groundwater;

providing a supply of substantially pure liquid oxygen;

converting said liquid oxygen to vapor oxygen;

conveying said substantially pure oxygen vapor to a regulating mechanism;

delivering said substantially pure oxygen vapor through said regulating mechanism to said at least one injection point and into the subterranean body of groundwater until the level of contaminants in the groundwater is reduced or eliminated;

whereby pressurization of said supply of liquid oxygen and delivery thereof does not require electricity or any mechanical parts such that the method can operate continuously.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a plurality of injection points extending from above ground to the subterranean body of groundwater.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

placing said supply of liquid oxygen in communication with each said plurality of injection points.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

regulating the flow of oxygen from said supply of oxygen to said plurality of injection points.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said plurality of injection points are arranged in a grid pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

installing said at least one injection point through airjet installation techniques.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

regulating the flow rate of said pressurized oxygen vapor injected into said groundwater.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

monitoring the levels of oxygen in the groundwater to determine whether the flow rate of oxygen needs adjustment.

7. A system for naturally remediating a contaminated subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the levels of contaminants, comprising:

a plurality of injection points extending below ground to intersect the body of groundwater;

a supply of concentrated liquid oxygen in communication with each of said plurality of injection sites;

a mechanism for conveying said concentrated oxygen in vapor form to each of said plurality of injection points;

at least one monitoring well for evaluating the level of contaminants;

whereby contaminants in the groundwater are destroyed in a naturally occurring manner; and

whereby the system can operate twenty-four hours a day and requires no electricity or moving parts to operate.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a control panel interposed between said supply of concentrated oxygen and said mechanism for conveying said concentrated oxygen to each of said plurality of injection points to regulate the flow of oxygen.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said control panel includes a plurality of flow meters for regulating the flow rate of oxygen to said plurality of injection points.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said mechanism includes a plurality of plastic tubes for conveying said concentrated oxygen to said plurality of injection points.

11. A method for remediating contaminated groundwater, comprising:

providing a supply of liquid oxygen in a holding container;

allowing liquid oxygen to convert to vapor oxygen due to natural pressurization in said holding container;

removing oxygen vapor from said supply of liquid oxygen;

conveying said oxygen vapor to a pressure regulator;

injecting said pressurized oxygen vapor into the groundwater; and

whereby the contaminated groundwater can be remediated continuously without the need for electricity or moving parts.