Back to results
US 5,302,286 AGranted
Method and apparatus for in situ groundwater remediation
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsLewis Semprini, Perry L. McCarty, Peter K. Kitanidis, Jae-Ho Bae
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for in-situ bioremediation includes a well extending into a saturated zone. The well includes a casing having two permeable sections in the saturated zone. Groundwater may be recirculated through the well and the saturated zone between the two permeable sections. Nutrients, such as oxygen and methane, may be added to the groundwater as it flows in the well. A venturi transfer device may be used to supply the nutrients.
Claims21
Apparatus for in-situ recirculation of groundwater, comprising:
- a well extending downward into a saturated zone;
- a casing having first and second permeable sections located in said saturated zone;
- said first permeable section located at a predetermined depth in the well and said second permeable section located above said first permeable section;
- means for causing groundwater to flow out of the well between said first permeable section and said second permeable section;
- and
- means for adding nutrients to the groundwater as it flows through the well, said nutrient-adding means including a passageway in the well between said first and second permeable sections for the flow of groundwater with a downward component therethrough, said passageway having a throat section located between two tapered sections, and said throat section sufficiently narrow to allow water to flow therethrough and to prevent upward movement of bubbles confined therebeneath, and a conduit means for transporting nutrients to said passageway in the vicinity of said throat section as the groundwater flows therethrough.
3 more elements
An apparatus for in-situ recirculation of groundwater, comprising:
- a first well extending into a saturated zone to a first level;
- a second well extending into said saturated zone to a second level below said first level;
- means for providing fluid communication between said first and said second wells;
- means for recirculating groundwater through said fluid communication means, and between said first and second wells;
- and
- means for adding nutrients to the recirculating groundwater, said nutrient-adding means including a passageway for the flow of groundwater with a downward component therethrough, said passageway having a throat section located between two tapered sections, and said throat section sufficiently narrow to allow water to flow therethrough and to prevent upward movement of bubbles confined therebeneath, and a conduit means for transporting nutrients to said passageway in the vicinity of said throat section as the groundwater flows therethrough.
3 more elements
A method for in-situ treatment of contaminated groundwater, comprising:
- (a) providing a well extending toward a saturated zone;
- (b) recirculating groundwater through said well by flowing groundwater down said well and out of said well at a first level, and drawing groundwater water into said well at a second level above said first level;
- (c) providing a passageway for the flow of groundwater with a downward component, having a throat section located between two tapered sections in the well between said first and second levels, and said throat section sufficiently narrow to allow water to flow therethrough and to prevent upward movement of bubbles confined therebeneath;
- and
- (d) adding nutrients to said groundwater in the vicinity of said throat section as it flows through said passageway.
2 more elements
A method for in-situ treatment of contaminated groundwater, comprising:
- (a) providing a first well extending downward below a water table into a saturated zone to a first level;
- (b) providing a second well extending below said water table into said saturated zone to a second level below said first level;
- (c) connecting said wells so they are in fluid communication;
- (d) causing groundwater to flow through said saturated zone between said first and second wells;
- (e) providing a passageway having a throat section located between two tapered sections so groundwater flowing in said wells flows with a downward component through said passageway, said throat section being sufficiently narrow to allow water to flow therethrough and to prevent upward movement of bubbles confined therebeneath;
- and
- (f) adding nutrients to said groundwater in the vicinity of said throat section as it flows through said passageway.
4 more elements
An apparatus for treatment of contaminated groundwater, comprising:
- a well extending toward the contaminated groundwater;
- and
- means disposed in the well for adding nutrients to the groundwater, said nutrient-adding means including:
- (i) a passageway for the flow of groundwater, with a downward component, therethrough,
- (ii) a constricted throat section in said passageway, said throat section being sufficiently narrow to allow water to flow therethrough and to prevent upward movement of bubbles confined therebeneath, and
- (iii) a tapered section located adjacent to and on opposite sides of said throat section, and
- (iv) conduit means for adding the nutrients to the groundwater in the vicinity of said throat section as it flows through said passageway.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.