Electrically induced radon barriers
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
InventorRonald B. Mosley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for forming a blocking layer of water-saturated soil surrounding the foundation of a building to be protected from ingress of radon gas or other soil gas contaminents. The system includes at least one set of parallel positive and negative electrodes positioned in the soil, adjacent and spaced from the foundation. Typically, the negative electrode will be positioned closest to the foundation. A low level voltage is applied to the electrodes from a DC power source. One or more sets of such electrodes will be positioned in the soil surrounding the foundation or at least that portion of the foundation most susceptible to gas ingress.
Claims19
A system for forming a blocking layer of water-saturated soil preventing ingress of a gas into a building structure, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one set of parallel positive and negative electrodes buried in the soil and positioned adjacent and spaced from the structure, one of said electrodes being positioned intermediate the structure and the other of said electrodes;
- and
- a DC power source for applying a voltage between said electrodes.
A method for preventing ingress of a gas through soil into a a building structure, said method comprising:
- positioning at least one set of parallel positive and negative electrodes in the soil adjacent to and spaced from the building structure with one of said electrodes located between the building structure and the other of said electrodes;
- and
- applying a DC voltage across said positive and negative electrodes to establish a water-saturated soil layer between said electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.