Enhanced dissolved oxygen groundwater remediation method and system

• US 6,719,904 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2002
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• 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): Upton, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US10/078,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 210/620, 210/747, 210/758, 210/170, 210/220, 405/128.45, 405/128.5, 405/128.7, 405/128.75, 405/129.2, 405/129.25
• US Class Current: 210/620
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/00 Reclamation of contaminated soil
• 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 or reducing the level of contaminants in a contaminated subterranean body of water includes a plurality of injection conduits. Each injection conduit extends below ground and intersects a body of groundwater. A plurality of bore holes are formed in which a plurality of injection conduits are disposed. Each of the injection conduits includes an injection site formed at an end thereof, which are to be located in the groundwater at predetermined locations and depths. The injection conduits and thus 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 sites.

Claims

1. A system for remediating a contaminated subterranean body of groundwater, comprising:

a supply of concentrated oxygen;

a control mechanism for controlling the release of oxygen from said supply of concentrated oxygen;

a plurality of injection conduits in communication with said control mechanism and extending below ground through a single entry hole, said plurality of injection conduits extending in a non-vertical fashion as they extend below a surface of groundwater; and

a plurality of injection sites formed adjacent an end of each of said plurality of injection conduits to release oxygen from said supply of concentrated oxygen into the groundwater.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of injection conduits are positioned in a first bore hole and each have a different length.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said entry hole for said first bore hole is located adjacent said control mechanism and said first bore hole has an exit point located remotely from said entry hole.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of bore holes, with each of said plurality of bore holes having a plurality of injection conduits located therein.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of injection sites is comprised of an expendable screen coupled to an end of a respective one of said plurality of injection conduits.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of injection sites is comprised of one or more holes formed adjacent an end of a respective one of said plurality of injection conduits.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a supply of microbials in communication with said plurality of injection conduits to release said microbials into said groundwater through a respective one of a said injection sites.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said control mechanism is interposed between said supply of concentrated oxygen and said plurality of injection conduits, said control mechanism regulating the flow of oxygen to said plurality injection conduits.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said control mechanism includes a plurality of flow meters with each of said plurality of injection conduits being in communication with a separate one of said plurality of flow meters in communication therewith.

10. A method for remediating a contaminated subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce contaminants comprising:

determining a location for a plurality of injection sites in the body of groundwater;

boring a first hole in ground having an entry point and an exit point located remotely from said entry point;

inserting a plurality of injection conduits each having a respective injection site formed thereon into said first bore hole and in communication with the body of groundwater, such that said plurality of injection sites are positioned in said determined location; and

delivering substantially pure oxygen to said at least one injection conduit and said plurality of injection sites.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

regulating the flow of said substantially pure oxygen to said plurality of injection sites, such that the level of oxygen in the soil gas vapor is between a range of approximately 15% and 25%.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

inserting a plurality of injection conduits each having a different length into said first bored hole.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said substantially pure oxygen is delivered to said plurality of injection conduits and thus said plurality of injection sites from a supply of liquid oxygen.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

delivering an amount of microbials to said plurality of injection conduits and said plurality of injection sites located thereon and into the body of groundwater to assist in reducing the level of contaminants.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

forming a plurality of bore holes; and

locating a plurality of injection conduits having a respective injection site located at an end thereof into each of said plurality of bore holes.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of inserting said plurality of injection conduits includes pulling said injection conduits from said exit point through said first bore hole and out said entry point.

17. A method for remediating a contaminated groundwell, including a subterranean body of water, comprising:

providing a supply of oxygen;

conveying oxygen from said supply of oxygen to a control mechanism;

providing a plurality of injection conduits each having a first end in communication with said control mechanism, a middle portion extending below ground through a single entry hole and terminating at an injection site in communication with the body of groundwater, said injection site being located remotely in a horizontal direction from said first end;

locating said injection sites of each of said plurality of injection conduits at predetermined locations in the body of groundwater; and

delivering oxygen from said control mechanism to said plurality of injection sites.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

regulating the flow rate of oxygen injected from said control mechanism to said plurality of injection conduits.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

monitoring the level of oxygen in the soil gas vapor; and

maintaining said level of oxygen in a range between about 15% and 25%.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

regulating the pressure of oxygen as it is conveyed to said control mechanism.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing a mechanism to monitor the levels of contaminants contained in the body of groundwater before and during the remediating process.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining the location for said plurality of injection sites; and

boring a hole along a path where said injection sites are to be located.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

inserting said plurality of injection conduits into said bored hole.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

boring a plurality of holes along a respective plurality of paths where associated injections sites are to be located; and

inserting a plurality of injection conduits into each of said plurality of holes.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein each of said plurality of bore holes enter ground through the same entry hole.