Portable method for decontaminating earth

Abstract

Abstract Vertical and/or horizontal perforated pipes are embedded in the soil around an area of the earth which has been contaminated by a spill and these pipes are connected in a closed portable system with a pressure pump in series with an evacuator having a separator and scrubber. Thus some of the perforated pipes, preferably those surrounding the contaminated area, can have a flushing fluid forced into the soil below the area to flush out the contamination, and the other perforated pipes in and near the bottom of the contaminated soil in the area can be connected to the evacuators for sucking out the contaminated flushing fluid. The engine for driving the pump may be an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a hydraulic motor connected by pipes to a remote motor pump generator when noise and/or fire hazard is involved. The system maintains a positive pressure on the input perforated pipes and a negative pressure on the outlet perforated pipes. Valve means are used so that the direction of circulation of the flushing liquid may be reversed when and if desired. All of the apparati of this system are portable so that they can be set up at any location where a spill occurs. At least part of the circulating flushing fluid is bypassed for removing the contamination therefrom before being reintroduced into the closed system. The removal of the contamination from the flushing fluid may be by aeration (if the contaminant is volatile and can be released into the atmosphere without contaminating it), reaction with chemicals, and/or adsorption with filters. Solvents also may be used in the flushing fluid. The flushing fluid also may be a gas, such as an inert gas like nitrogen. This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 06/115,992 filed Jan. 28, 1980 now abandoned.

Inventors

• 👤 James L. Kirk
• 👤 Robert J. Ohneck

Bibliographic Details