System and method for groundwater remediation
AssigneeHDR, Inc.
InventorShane D. McDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A groundwater remediation system includes a capillary media supported and positioned such that it is partially submerged into a groundwater source to be remediated. Groundwater is drawn into the submerged portion of the capillary media and further into the non-submerged portion of the capillary material via natural capillary action. As the water evaporates from the non-submerged portion of the capillary media, the dissolved solids within the water precipitate onto the media leaving the precipitated solids for reclamation or disposal and allowing the cleaned water vapor to disperse into the ambient air. In some embodiments, heat may be added to the media, water, or air to accelerate the evaporative process.
Claims20
A system for groundwater remediation, comprising:
- a capillary media configured to absorb water and propagate the water from a first portion of the media to a second portion of the media via capillary action;
- a structure for supporting the capillary media within a contaminated water source such that the capillary media is partially submerged and partially exposed so that contaminated water is drawn upwardly through the capillary media via capillary action to precipitate soluble materials from the contaminated water onto the capillary media upon evaporation of the water from the exposed portion of the capillary media;
- an air source permitting air to circulate around the capillary media to facilitate evaporation of water from the exposed portion of the capillary media;
- a float base comprised of a buoyant material, wherein the structure is attached to the float base such that the structure is supported on the float base and such that the float base floats on the surface of the contaminated water source;
- wherein the capillary media and the air source are enclosed within an open-bottom cowling having a lower rim positioned at or below the surface of the contaminated water source and an upper exhaust outlet positioned above the surface of the contaminated water source, the cowling thereby defining a controlled airflow path from beneath the rim, through the partially exposed portion of the capillary media, and out the upper exhaust outlet;
- wherein the structure comprises a radially oriented spoke-and-panel support centered below the upper exhaust outlet and configured to support a plurality of capillary media panels while providing open passages between adjacent panels to facilitate upward airflow;
- and
- wherein the exhaust outlet comprises a telescopically height-adjustable riser.
A method for groundwater remediation, comprising:
- supplying a capillary media configured to absorb water and propagate the water from a first portion of the media to a second portion of the media via capillary action;
- positioning a structure for supporting the capillary media onto a float base and disposing the float base, structure, and capillary media within a contaminated water source such that the capillary media is partially submerged and partially exposed so that contaminated water is drawn upwardly through the capillary media via capillary action to precipitate soluble materials from the contaminated water onto the capillary media upon evaporation of the water from the exposed portion of the capillary media;
- providing an air source permitting air to circulate around the capillary media to facilitate evaporation of water from the exposed portion of the capillary media;
- enclosing the capillary media and circulating air within an open-bottom cowling having a lower rim positioned at or below a surface of the contaminated water source and an upper exhaust outlet positioned above the water surface to define a controlled airflow path from beneath the rim, through the exposed portion of the capillary media, and out the upper exhaust outlet;
- supporting the capillary media on a radially oriented spoke-and-panel frame centered below the upper exhaust outlet to maintain open airflow passages between adjacent panels;
- and
- adjusting a telescoping exhaust riser associated with the upper exhaust outlet to vary a height of the upper exhaust outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.