Detection and extraction of NAPL contaminates
AssigneeNAPL Solutions, LLC
InventorDaniel Alexander Smedley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pump system for selectively extracting nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) from groundwater includes a fuel pump with current monitoring and a control assembly. The system utilizes a conductive probe within a probe body to detect a fluid interface, distinguishing NAPLs from water by measuring conductivity. The control assembly monitors the pump's current draw and adjusts operation to avoid water intake, thereby protecting the pump from damage. The probe body features an insulated shell to ensure accurate readings, and the control assembly uses real-time data to activate or deactivate the pump based on fluid type. The system is further configurable to calibrate for various contaminant conditions, optimizing efficient NAPL extraction from contaminated environments.
Claims20
A pump system for selectively extracting a contaminated fluid from a subsurface environment, the pump system comprising:
- a fuel pump having a current draw during operation, wherein operation of the fuel pump controls a flow of the contaminated fluid extracted from the subsurface environment;
- a probe body comprising a probe inlet in fluid communication with the subsurface environment and a pump connector in fluid communication with the pump inlet;
- a conductive probe housed within the probe body for detecting a position of the probe inlet relative to a fluid interface of the contaminated fluid;
- and
- a control assembly configured to control a pumping status of the fuel pump based, at least in part, on the current draw of the fuel pump during operation or on the position of the probe inlet relative to the fluid interface of the contaminated fluid, the control assembly being configured to monitor the current draw of the fuel pump when submerged in the contaminated fluid to establish an operational threshold.
A method for selectively extracting a contaminated fluid from a subsurface environment using a pump system, the method comprising:
- detecting, via a conductive probe, the position of a probe inlet relative to a fluid interface between the contaminated fluid and groundwater in the subsurface environment;
- monitoring, via a current monitoring system, a current draw of a fuel pump during operation of the pump system;
- activating the fuel pump to extract the contaminated fluid when the probe inlet is submerged in the contaminated fluid;
- comparing the current draw of the fuel pump during operation to a baseline current draw and an operational threshold;
- and
- controlling the pumping status of the fuel pump based, at least in part, on the current draw and the position of the probe inlet relative to the fluid interface.
A pump system for selectively extracting a contaminated fluid from a subsurface environment, the pump system comprising:
- a fuel pump comprising a current monitoring system configured to continuously monitor a current draw of the fuel pump during operation, wherein operation of the fuel pump controls a flow of the contaminated fluid extracted from the subsurface environment;
- a probe body comprising a probe inlet in fluid communication with the subsurface environment and a pump connector in fluid communication with a pump inlet of the fuel pump;
- a conductive probe housed within the probe body, the conductive probe configured to measure a conductivity condition associated with the contaminated fluid proximate to the probe inlet to determine a position of the probe inlet relative to a fluid interface between the contaminated fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the contaminated fluid;
- and
- a control assembly in communication with the current monitoring system and the conductive probe, the control assembly configured to:
- control a pumping status of the fuel pump based, at least in part, on the monitored current draw and the position of the probe inlet relative to the fluid interface;
- deactivate the fuel pump when the conductivity condition detected by the conductive probe indicates the presence of the second fluid at the probe inlet;
- and
- calibrate the conductive probe to detect a plurality of conductivity conditions associated with different fluids in the subsurface environment;
- wherein the probe body further comprises an insulated probe shell encasing the conductive probe to prevent electrical interference from the surrounding environment, and a perforated section adjacent to the probe inlet to allow unimpeded fluid contact with the conductive probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.