Method for extraction and surfactant enhanced subsurface contaminant recovery
First Claim
1. A method for decreasing an amount of a contaminant at a site in a subsurface, wherein at least a portion of the contaminant is non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), comprising:
- introducing a liquid oxidant prior to or simultaneously with a surfactant into the subsurface;
generating gaseous oxygen in the subsurface in the form of bubbles by decomposition of the liquid oxidant;
allowing the oxygen bubbles to hydrodynamically scrub soil particles in the subsurface sufficient to release contaminant from the soil particles and form extractable NAPL contaminant in the subsurface;
extracting NAPL contaminant from the subsurface;
wherein the liquid oxidant is a gas phase generating oxidant; and
wherein the extracting of NAPL reduces the amount of the contaminant in the subsurface.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and compositions for removing contaminants from soil and groundwater by extracting the contaminants and assisting the extraction by provision of an oxidant introduced prior to or simultaneously with a surfactant into the subsurface. Extractable contaminant can be extracted from the subsurface. The amount and/or distribution of contaminant in the subsurface can be characterized. The extracting of contaminant and the introducing of oxidant and surfactant can be coordinated to reduce contaminant to a target amount. A portion of the contaminant can be oxidizable.
99 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for decreasing an amount of a contaminant at a site in a subsurface, wherein at least a portion of the contaminant is non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), comprising:
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introducing a liquid oxidant prior to or simultaneously with a surfactant into the subsurface; generating gaseous oxygen in the subsurface in the form of bubbles by decomposition of the liquid oxidant; allowing the oxygen bubbles to hydrodynamically scrub soil particles in the subsurface sufficient to release contaminant from the soil particles and form extractable NAPL contaminant in the subsurface; extracting NAPL contaminant from the subsurface; wherein the liquid oxidant is a gas phase generating oxidant; and wherein the extracting of NAPL reduces the amount of the contaminant in the subsurface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for decreasing an amount of a contaminant at a site in a subsurface, wherein at least a portion of the contaminant is non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), comprising:
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introducing an oxidant prior to or simultaneously with a surfactant into the subsurface; generating gaseous oxygen in the subsurface in the form of bubbles by decomposition of the oxidant; allowing the oxygen bubbles to hydrodynamically scrub soil particles in the subsurface sufficient to release contaminant from the soil particles and form extractable contaminant in the subsurface; extracting extractable contaminant from the subsurface; wherein the oxidant is a gas phase generating oxidant; and wherein the extracting of NAPL contaminant reduces the amount of the contaminant in the subsurface. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for decreasing an amount of a contaminant at a site in a subsurface, wherein at least a portion of the contaminant is extractable, comprising:
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introducing an oxidant prior to or simultaneously with a surfactant into the subsurface; introducing an antioxidant into the subsurface; extracting extractable contaminant from the subsurface; characterizing the amount and/or distribution of contaminant in the subsurface; wherein the extracting of contaminant and the introducing of oxidant and surfactant reduces the amount of the contaminant. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification