Patent US5249888A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5249888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Enhanced gradient soil and groundwater remediation method
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1991-12-20
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Granted: 1993-10-05
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Expires: 2011-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An enhanced pressure gradient remediation system (10) for decontaminating a contaminated volume of soil incorporates at least one extraction well (40) operated independently or in conjunction with at least one injection well (12). The injection well (12) is employed to inject steam, or ambient or heated air, into the soil, and extraction probe (40) extracts fluids, contaminants (30,32,34) and possibly groundwater (58) from the soil. The invention further contemplates injection and extraction by means of recoverable extraction and injection probes (14) which obviate the need for permanent wells. The enhanced pressure gradient results from employing extraction in possible conjunction with injection at higher vacuum and pressure than previously known in the art.
Inventors
- 👤 Kathryn E. Braithwaite
- 👤 John F. Dablow, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:09
CPC Classifications
B; B09; B09C; B09C1/00; B09C1/06; B09C1/005; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; B09C2101/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An enhanced method for decontaminating a contaminated volume of soil, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting at least one injection probe into said soil such that a portion of said injection probe is located approximately within said contaminated volume of said soil; b) inserting at least one extraction probe into said soil such that a portion of said extraction probe is located approximately within said contaminated volume of soil and spaced apart from said injection probe, wherein said injection probe and said extraction probe comprise elongated hollow tubes with apertures formed to allow the flow of fluids in a substantially horizontal direction, said apertures located within said contaminated volume of soil; c) concurrently injecting a pressurized fluid into said injection probe with a relatively high injection pressure substantially within the range 20-120 inches of mercury and applying a vacuum to said extraction probe with a relatively high vacuum substantially within the range of 5-30 inches of mercury; d) removing said pressurized fluid and said contaminating substance from said extraction probe, whereby said pressurized fluid and said contaminating substance within said contaminated volume of soil are rapidly and forcibly drawn through said contaminated volume of soil in said substantially horizontal direction from said injection probe toward said extraction probe; and e) removing said injection probe and said extraction probe from said decontaminated soil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An enhanced method for decontaminating a contaminated volume of soil, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting at least one injection probe into said soil such that a portion of said injection probe is located approximately within said contaminated volume of said soil; b) inserting at least one extraction probe into said soil such that a portion of said extraction probe is located approximately within said contaminated volume of soil and spaced apart from said injection probe, wherein said injection probe and said extraction probe comprise elongated hollow tubes with apertures formed to allow the flow of fluids in a substantially horizontal direction, said apertures located within said contaminated volume of soil; c) concurrently injecting a pressurized fluid into said injection probe with a relatively high injection pressure substantially within the range 20-120 inches of mercury and applying a vacuum to said extraction probe with a relatively high vacuum substantially within the range of 5-30 inches of mercury; d) removing said pressurized fluid and said contaminating substance from said extraction probe, whereby said pressurized fluid and said contaminating substance within said contaminated volume of soil are rapidly and forcibly drawn through said contaminated volume of soil in said substantially horizontal direction from said injection probe toward said extraction probe; and e) removing said injection probe and said extraction probe from said decontaminated soil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the additional steps of: e) separating said pressurized fluid and said contaminating substance into component parts of liquid and vapor; and f) treating said vapor and treating said liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said step c) is performed with a heated pressurized fluid, such that said volume of soil is concurrently heated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said heated pressurized fluid is steam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-04-05 | 1997-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-04 | 2001-04-05 | 2001-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-04-05 | 2005-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |