Direct oxygen injection groundwater remediation method and system

• US 6,866,781 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2002
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• 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): Barry, Chester T.
• Application Number:
  US10/079,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20030057153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 4051281-1289, 210/170, 210/620, 210/739, 210/746, 210758-763, 210/143, 210/150
• 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 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. The amount of oxygen delivered to the groundwater is maintained such that the amount of oxygen in the soil gas vapor is between 15% and 25%.

Claims

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

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

delivering oxygen to said at least one injection point and into the subterranean body of groundwater;

monitoring soil gas vapor to determine a level of oxygen in said soil gas vapor; and

regulating oxygen flow to said at least one injection point such that said level of oxygen in said soil gas vapor is approximately 15% or above.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a plurality of injection points extending from above ground and into communication with the subterranean body of groundwater.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing a supply of oxygen in communication with each said plurality of injection points.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said level of oxygen in said soil gas vapor is maintained within a range having a low end oxygen level of approximately 15% or above.

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

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said supply of oxygen is in liquid form.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

converting said liquid oxygen to oxygen vapor.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivered oxygen is substantially pure.

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

a plurality of injection points extending below ground and into communication with the body of groundwater;

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

a mechanism for delivering said concentrated oxygen to each of said plurality of injection points;

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

a device for regulating the delivery of oxygen to each of said plurality of injection points, to maintain a level of oxygen in the soil gas vapor at about 15% or above;

said device for regulating the delivery of oxygen to each of said plurality of injection points includes a plurality of flow meters with a respective one of said plurality of flow meters being associated with a respective one of said plurality of injection points.

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

a plurality of injection points extending below ground and into communication with the body of groundwater;

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

a mechanism for delivering said concentrated oxygen to each of said plurality of injection points;

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

a device for regulating the delivery of oxygen to each of said plurality of injection points, to maintain a level of oxygen in the soil gas vapor at about 15% or above;

said mechanism includes a plurality of conduits for conveying said concentrated oxygen to said plurality of injection points.

13. A method for remediating contaminated groundwater, comprising:

providing a supply of oxygen;

removing oxygen from said supply of oxygen;

regulating the pressure of said removed oxygen;

injecting said oxygen into the groundwater such that an oxygen level in a soil gas vapor of said groundwater is at least 15%; and

monitoring and maintaining said oxygen level in said soil gas vapor to be between approximately 15% and 25% during the remediation process.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said supply of oxygen is in liquid form.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said removed oxygen is in vapor form.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

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

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

monitoring the levels of oxygen in the soil gas vapor to determine whether the flow rate of oxygen needs adjustment.