US4790688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Landfill leachate control process and product
Assignee: ENG Inc 1430 MASSACHUSETTS AVE CAMBRIDGE MA 02138 A CORP OF MD
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Filing: 1987-01-28
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Granted: 1988-12-13
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Expires: 2007-01-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention involves the selective emplacement of an impermeable polymeric barrier in the semi-permeable substructure, faulted or fractured geologic barriers which underlie leaking waste disposal sites. The emplacement of the barrier requires the creation of a horizontal fracture below the waste disposal site and the injection of a gellable solution containing a synthetic or biologically produced polymer into the fracture. The solution is then allowed or caused to gel in situ within the subterranean formation. A proppant may be dispersed in the gellable solution. The proppant may be a waste active material.
Inventors
- 👤 Trevor P. Castor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:11
CPC Classifications
B; B09; B09B; B09B1/00; E; E02; E02D; E02D19/00; E02D19/06; E02D19/12; E02D19/16; E02D31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for treating the geologic base of a waste landfill to prevent the migration of waste from the landfill to the surrounding environment comprising: selecting a gellable solution which in a gelled state is impermeable to and resistant to degradation by said waste, said gellable solution including a waste-active material capable of acting on the waste in the landfill, creating a fracture in said geologic base, filling said fracture with said gellable solution, and allowing or causing said gellable solution to gel thereby forming an impermeable barrier beneath the waste for blocking the migration of waste from the landfill.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for treating the geologic base of a waste landfill to prevent the migration of waste from the landfill to the surrounding environment comprising: selecting a gellable solution which in a gelled state is impermeable to and resistant to degradation by said waste, said gellable solution including a waste-active material capable of acting on the waste in the landfill, creating a fracture in said geologic base, filling said fracture with said gellable solution, and allowing or causing said gellable solution to gel thereby forming an impermeable barrier beneath the waste for blocking the migration of waste from the landfill.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gellable solution comprises a polymer in said solution, and said gellable solution is gelled within said fracture by cross-linking said polymer with a cross-linking agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising introducing a proppant into said fracture space prior to said gel forming.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said gellable solution has a viscosity sufficient to support said proppant, said proppant is dispersed in said gellable solution prior to creating said fracture, and said gellable solution and said proppant are introduced into said fracture simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said proppant is a waste active material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said proppant is selected from the group consisting of an ion exchange material and absorbent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said polymer in gellable solution is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamides, polysaccharides, PVP, sulfonated aromatic/aliphatic copolymers, phenolics and polysiloxanes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A product useful in forming a barrier to prevent the migration of waste from a landfill to the surrounding environment comprising: a gellable solution which in a gelled state is impermeable to and resistant to degradation by said waste, a waste-active material selected from the group of materials consisting of ion exchange materials and absorbent materials, and a selected proppant dispersed in said gel, said proppant having the ability to fill a fracture space and maintain said fracture space permeable to fluids.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A product useful in forming a barrier to prevent the migration of waste from a landfill to the surrounding environment comprising: a gellable solution which in a gelled state is impermeable to and resistant to degradation by said waste, a waste-active material selected from the group of materials consisting of ion exchange materials and absorbent materials, and a selected proppant dispersed in said gel, said proppant having the ability to fill a fracture space and maintain said fracture space permeable to fluids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product as claimed in claim 8 wherein said proppant is said waste active material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A product as claimed in claim 9 wherein said proppant is polystyrene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-13 | 1992-06-13 | 1992-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-13 | 1996-06-13 | 1996-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-13 | 2000-06-13 | 2000-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |