Multi-arrayed vacuum recovery method and system for groundwater wells

• US 6,746,605 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2002
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• 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:
  US10/047,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195401A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 210/620, 210/747, 210/776, 210/170, 210/220, 210/242.3, 210/540, 210/94, 405/128.25, 405/128.3, 405/128.2, 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 method and system for removing free phrase product from the surface of a subterranean body of water includes a plurality of extraction sites. The extraction sites extend below ground and intersect the free product. Each of the plurality of extraction sites is in communication with a vacuum supply which provides suction to remove free product from the surface of the groundwater.

Claims

1. A method of removing free product from a groundwater, comprising:

determining the existence of any free product in the groundwater;

providing at least one extraction point in communication with the collection of free product;

placing said at least one extraction point in communication with a vacuum source; and

removing the free product from the groundwater via a non-float style mechanism using an entrained flow of fluid droplets in an air stream.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a plurality of extraction points in communication with the collection of free product.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the free product is located on top of a surface of the groundwater.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

disposing said at least one extraction point in communication with the free product just above said surface of the groundwater.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

monitoring an entrained flow of free product from said at least one extraction point to said vacuum source.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein monitoring said entrained flow of free product is performed via a clear mechanism disposed between said at least one extraction point and said vacuum source.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the free product is located in soil in the groundwater.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the depth of said at least one extraction point as required.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing said vacuum source and connecting said at least one extraction point to a source of oxygen to remediate the groundwater.

10. A system for recovering free product from subterranean groundwater, comprising:

a monitoring well in communication with the groundwater to determine the existence of any free product located therein;

at least one extraction point extending below ground and into communication with the groundwater; and

a vacuum source in communication with said at least one extraction point to supply suction and create an entrained flow condition of fluid droplets in an air stream free product from the groundwater through said at least one extraction point.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of extraction points extending below ground and into communication with the groundwater.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a manifold having a plurality of inlet portions each in communication with a respective one of said plurality of extraction points and an outlet portion in communication with said vacuum source.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said free product is located on a surface of the groundwater in a groundwell.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said free product is located in soil in the groundwater.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said vacuum source is a vac truck.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one extraction point is located in the groundwater to provide an entrained flow of free product.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a clear hose disposed between said at least one extraction point and said vacuum source allowing the fluid flow to be monitored.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one extraction point includes a tubular member extending downward from below ground and into communication with the free product.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said tubular member has a lower portion with a screen disposed thereon to allow free product to flow from the groundwater into said tubular member.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the height of said at least one extraction point is adjustable.

21. A system as in claim 10 wherein said vacuum source draws non-vapor fluids from the groundwater.

22. A system as in claim 10 wherein said vacuum source draws liquid and vapor fluids from the groundwater.

23. A system for recovering free product from a subterranean body of groundwater, comprising:

at least one monitoring well in communication with the groundwater to determine the existence of any free product located therein;

at least one extraction tube extending downward from below ground to form an extraction point adjacent the groundwater; and

a vacuum source in communication with said at least one extraction tube to draw an entrained flow of the free product and vapor from the surface of the groundwater via each of said at least one extraction tube.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

a plurality of extraction tubes extending downward from below ground to form respective extraction points adjacent the groundwater.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein each of said plurality of inlet portions has a valve associated therewith to control flow of fluid therethrough.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

a manifold having a plurality of inlet portions each in communication with a respective one of said plurality of extraction points and an outlet portion in communication with said vacuum source.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein a clear hose connects an upper end of each of said plurality of extraction points to a respective one of said plurality of inlet portions of said manifold.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein said at least one extraction tube has a lower portion with a screen disposed thereon to allow free product to flow from the groundwater into said tubular member.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein said at least one extraction tube can be adjusted in an upward and downward direction.

30. A system as in claim 23 further comprising:

a clear mechanism disposed between said extraction point and said vacuum source for monitoring fluid flow.

31. A method of removing free product from a groundwater, comprising:

determining the existence of any free product in the groundwater;

providing at least one extraction point in communication with the collection of free product;

placing said at least one extraction point in communication with a vacuum source; and

removing the free product from the groundwater utilizing an entrained flow of fluid droplets in an air stream.