Methods for isolating a water table and for soil remediation
AssigneeEnvironmental Resources Management, Inc.
InventorsAlan F. Hassett, Stanley M. Porfido
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of soil containment and soil remediation are disclosed. The methods contemplate selecting a surface area associated with a subterraneal volume wherein the subterraneal volume includes ground water beneath the surface area. Barrier means are arranged around at least part of the perimeter of the subterraneal volume for isolating the surface area and the associated subterraneal volume from adjacent subterraneal volumes. The ground water table is then lowered to a desired depth so that a contaminated vadose zone is exposed. The ground water is maintained at such lowered depth by means of gas pressure. Optionally, the exposed vadose zone may be remediated.
Claims86
A method of soil containment comprising the steps of:
- selecting a surface area associated with a subterraneal volume, said subterraneal volume including ground water located at a predetermined original depth beneath said surface area;
- arranging barrier means around the perimeter of said subterraneal volume for isolating said surface area and said associated subterraneal volume from adjacent subterraneal volumes;
- and
- applying gas at a predetermined positive pressure to preselected locations within said barrier means in order to lower said ground water from said predetermined original depth beneath said surface area to an altered depth, said altered depth being lower than said predetermined original depth.
A method of soil containment comprising the steps of:
- selecting a surface area associated with a subterraneal volume, said subterraneal volume including ground water located at a predetermined original depth beneath said surface area;
- arranging barrier means around the perimeter of said subterraneal volume for isolating said surface area and said associated subterraneal volume from adjacent subterraneal volumes;
- pumping said ground water from said predetermined original depth beneath said surface area in order to lower said ground water from said predetermined original depth to an altered depth, said altered depth being lower than said predetermined original depth;
- and
- applying gas at a predetermined positive pressure to preselected locations within said barrier means in order to maintain said ground water at said altered depth.
A method of soil remediation comprising the steps of:
- selecting a surface area associated with a subterraneal volume, said subterraneal volume including contaminated soil and ground water located at a predetermined original depth beneath said surface area;
- arranging barrier means around the perimeter of said subterraneal volume for isolating said surface area and said associated subterraneal volume from adjacent subterraneal volumes;
- applying gas maintained at a predetermined positive pressure at preselected locations within said barrier means in order to lower said ground water from said predetermined original depth beneath said surface area to an altered depth and to maintain said ground water at said altered depth, said altered depth being below at least a portion of said contaminated soil;
- and
- removing contaminants from said contaminated soil.
A method of soil remediation comprising the steps of:
- selecting a surface area associated with a subterraneal volume, said subterraneal volume including ground water located at a predetermined original depth beneath said surface area;
- arranging barrier means around the perimeter of said subterraneal volume for isolating said surface area and said associated subterraneal volume from adjacent subterraneal volumes;
- pumping said ground water from said predetermined original depth beneath said surface area in order to lower said ground water from said predetermined original depth to an altered depth, said altered depth being below at least a portion of said contaminated soil;
- removing contaminants from said contaminated soil;
- and
- applying gas at a predetermined positive pressure to preselected locations within said barrier means so that said ground water will be maintained at said altered depth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.