US5067852A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil
Assignee: JB PLUNKETT ASSOCIATES Inc
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Filing: 1990-05-24
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2010-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil is provided wherein the contaminated soil is excavated and stockpiled upon a vapor-tight support structure. The contaminated soil is covered and sealed with an impervious vapor-tight liner such that a vapor-tight enclosure is created. A vacuum is created in the vapor-tight enclosure which induces air flow through the contaminated soil to volatilize contaminants from the contaminated soil. Vapors created as a result of the induced air flow are exhausted from the system and treated or managed as required by federal, state, or municipal regulatory requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 James B. Plunkett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:44
CPC Classifications
B; B09; B09C; B09C1/00; B09C1/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising the steps of: (a) excavating soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases and stockpiling the contaminated soil; (b) covering and sealing the contaminated soil with a vapor-tight liner to create a vapor-tight enclosure having air supply and exhaust means; and (c) inducing air flow via said air supply means, through the contaminated soil and out said exhaust means to thereby create sufficient negative pressure in the contaminated soil to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase; and (d) removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising the steps of: (a) excavating soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases and stockpiling the contaminated soil; (b) covering and sealing the contaminated soil with a vapor-tight liner to create a vapor-tight enclosure having air supply and exhaust means; and (c) inducing air flow via said air supply means, through the contaminated soil and out said exhaust means to thereby create sufficient negative pressure in the contaminated soil to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase; and (d) removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of perforated air supply and exhaust pipes are positioned within said soil stockpile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein the ends of said air supply and exhaust pipes protrude through sealed openings in said liner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein a layer of filter gravel is positioned in said soil stockpile around said air distribution or said exhaust pipes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein air is induced to flow through said soil stockpile by drawing a vacuum on said exhaust means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein air is induced to flow through said soil stockpile by blowing air into said stockpile via said air supply means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising the steps of: (a) excavating soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases and stockpiling said contaminated soil upon a first vapor-tight liner covering a clean sand bed; (b) incorporating a plurality of perforated air distribution and exhaust pipes within said stockpile during the stockpiling of said soil; (c) covering said stockpile with a second impervious vapor-tight liner having sealable air supply and exhaust vents through which air supply and vent pipes protrude; (d) sealing said second liner to said first liner such that a vapor-tight enclosure is formed therebetween; (e) applying a vacuum through said vent pipe to induce air flow through the contaminated soil to thereby create sufficient negative pressure in the contaminated soils to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase; and (f) removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising the steps of: (a) excavating soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases and stockpiling said contaminated soil upon a first vapor-tight liner covering a clean sand bed; (b) incorporating a plurality of perforated air distribution and exhaust pipes within said stockpile during the stockpiling of said soil; (c) covering said stockpile with a second impervious vapor-tight liner having sealable air supply and exhaust vents through which air supply and vent pipes protrude; (d) sealing said second liner to said first liner such that a vapor-tight enclosure is formed therebetween; (e) applying a vacuum through said vent pipe to induce air flow through the contaminated soil to thereby create sufficient negative pressure in the contaminated soils to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase; and (f) removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising: (a) a vapor-tight support structure upon which excavated soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases is stockpiled; (b) an impervious vapor-tight liner covering and sealing the contaminated soil to create a vapor-tight enclosure; (c) means for inducing air flow through the soil stockpiled in said vapor-tight enclosure so that sufficient negative pressure is created in the contaminated soils to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase; and (d) removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising: (a) a vapor-tight support structure upon which excavated soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases is stockpiled; (b) an impervious vapor-tight liner covering and sealing the contaminated soil to create a vapor-tight enclosure; (c) means for inducing air flow through the soil stockpiled in said vapor-tight enclosure so that sufficient negative pressure is created in the contaminated soils to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase; and (d) removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 having a plurality of air distribution and exhaust pipes positioned within said vapor-tight enclosure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said liner includes a sealable opening through which an air supply pipe and a vent pipe protrude.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the protruding ends of said pipes are sealed against said liner by vapor tight boots.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said structure includes a granular bed comprised of generally clean sand and a vapor-tight liner covering said bed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said air induction means is a centrifugal or regenerative blower.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said air induction means is a vacuum pump associated with said vent pipe.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising: (a) a generally clean sand bed covered by a first vapor-tight liner upon which excavated soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases stockpiled; (b) a plurality of perforated air distribution pipes positioned within the stockpile of contaminated soil; (c) a plurality of perforated exhaust pipes positioned within the stockpile of contaminated soil; (d) a second impervious vapor-tight liner covering the stockpile of contaminated soil and being sealed to said first liner to create a vapor-tight enclosure between said first and second liners, said second liner including sealable ports through which air supply and vent pipes protrude; and (e) vacuum means associated with said vent pipes to thereby create sufficient negative pressure in the contaminated soil to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase, and providing a means for removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from contaminated soil comprising: (a) a generally clean sand bed covered by a first vapor-tight liner upon which excavated soil contaminated with volatile contaminants in liquid and absorbed phases stockpiled; (b) a plurality of perforated air distribution pipes positioned within the stockpile of contaminated soil; (c) a plurality of perforated exhaust pipes positioned within the stockpile of contaminated soil; (d) a second impervious vapor-tight liner covering the stockpile of contaminated soil and being sealed to said first liner to create a vapor-tight enclosure between said first and second liners, said second liner including sealable ports through which air supply and vent pipes protrude; and (e) vacuum means associated with said vent pipes to thereby create sufficient negative pressure in the contaminated soil to encourage organic contaminants in the liquid and absorbed phases to achieve a vapor phase, and providing a means for removing the organic contaminants in the vapor phase from said enclosure.
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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) | 1994-11-25 | 1995-05-27 | 1995-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-25 | 1999-05-27 | 1999-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-25 | 2003-05-27 | 2003-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |