Enhanced dissolved oxygen groundwater remediation method and system

• US 6,740,238 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• 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:
  US09/919,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 210/610, 210/620, 210/747, 210/170, 210/220, 405/128.45, 405/128.7
• 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 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. Each of the plurality of injection sites are also in communication with a supply of microbials. The oxygen is conveyed by a delivery mechanism from the supply of oxygen to the injection points. The microbials are also conveyed 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 non-electrically operated regulating mechanism;

delivering said substantially pure liquid oxygen vapor through said regulating mechanism to said at least one injection point and into the subterranean body of groundwater; and

delivering an amount of microbials to said at least one injection point and into the subterranean body of groundwater to assist in reducing the level of contaminants;

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, wherein said plurality of injection points axe arranged in a grid pattern.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of delivering said oxygen is accomplished through the use of a control panel interposed between said supply of concentrated liquid oxygen and said plurality of injection points.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said control panel includes a plurality of flow meters for regulating the flow rate of oxygen to said plurality of injection points.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

monitoring the level of contaminants in the subterranean body of groundwater periodically.

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 supply of microbials in communication with each of said plurality of injection sites;

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

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

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. The system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of injection points are arranged in a grid pattern.

12. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a pressure regulator for regulating the flow of oxygen from said supply of liquid oxygen to each of said plurality of injection points.

13. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one monitoring well to allow for periodic monitoring of the level of contaminants in the subterranean body of groundwater.

14. A method far remediating contaminated groundwater, comprising:

providing a supply of liquid oxygen;

allowing said 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;

providing a supply of microbials; and

injecting an amount of microbials from said supply of microbials into the groundwater;

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

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

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

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

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

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said oxygen and said microbials are injected into the groundwater by a plurality of injection points.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of injecting said oxygen is accomplished through the use of a control panel interposed between said supply of concentrated liquid oxygen and said plurality of injection points.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said control panel includes a plurality of flow meters for regulating the flow rate of oxygen to said plurality of injection points.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said plurality of injection points are arranged in a grid pattern.

21. A method for remediating a contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater comprising:

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

providing a supply of a substantially pure liquid having substantially a single element;

converting said substantially pure liquid into a vapor;

conveying said vapor to a non-electrical regulating mechanism;

delivering said vapor through said regulating mechanism to said at least one injection point and into the subterranean body of groundwater; and

delivering an amount of microbials to said at least one injection point and into the subterranean body of groundwater to assist in reducing the level of contaminants.

22. A system as in claim 21 wherein said single element is oxygen.

23. A system as in claim 21 wherein said amount of microbials are oxygen-utilizing bacteria.

24. A system as in claim 21 whereby pressurization of said substantially pure liquid and delivery thereof is performed using non-electrically operated or controlled devices.

25. A system as in claim 21 wherein said non-electrical regulating mechanism comprises at least one ball float valve.

26. A system as in claim 21 wherein said amount of microbials is combined with said substantially pure liquid at a substantially constant pressure.