High-vacuum groundwater and soil remediation system and related method and apparatus
OwnerParker E. Atkinsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and techniques for remediation of soil, vapor and groundwater contaminated with hydrocarbons. The system is ideally suited for easy integration into a mobile remediation unit that uses a liquid ring vacuum pump to extract a contaminated mixture from a sub-surface formation and direct it into a separator, which also serves to shield the high-flow vacuum pump from non-gaseous phases of the contaminated matter that would otherwise reduce its efficiency. Cooling systems are employed to render the unit more independent and self-contained, and an automatic vent and low-shear pump-down cycle is used to transfer liquid phases to fractionation subsystems with minimal emulsification.
Claims10
A method for remediating hydrocarbon-contaminated phases, comprising the steps of:
- (a) using a liquid ring vacuum pump to draw a flow of contaminated matter;
- (b) introducing said flow of contaminated matter into a first portion of a remediation system;
- (c) separating non-gaseous phases from said flow of contaminated matter in said first portion of the remediation system, thereby limiting said flow to predominantly gaseous materials;
- (d) reducing negative pressure induced by said pump to enable liquid phase portions of said non-gaseous phases to flow from said first portion of the remediation system;
- and
- (e) pumping said liquid phase portions from said first portion of the remediation system using a low-shear pump, thereby minimizing emulsification of said liquid phase portions.
A method for remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated phases, comprising the steps of:
- (a) using a liquid ring vacuum pump to draw a flow of contaminated matter;
- (b) introducing said flow of contaminated matter into a first portion of a remediation system;
- (c) separating non-gaseous phases from said flow of contaminated matter in said first portion of the remediation system, thereby limiting said flow to predominantly gaseous materials;
- and
- (d) using a diaphragm pump for pumping the liquid phase portions of said non-gaseous phases from said first portion of the remediation system to a fractionation system, thereby minimizing emulsification of said liquid phase portions.
A method for remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated phases, comprising the steps of:
- (a) using a liquid ring vacuum pump to draw a flow of contaminated matter;
- (b) introducing said flow of contaminated matter into a first portion of a remediation system;
- (c) separating non-gaseous phases from said flow of contaminated matter in said first portion of the remediation system, thereby limiting said flow to predominantly gaseous materials;
- and
- (d) using a double diaphragm pneumatic transfer pump for pumping the liquid phase portions of said non-gaseous phases from said first portion of the remediation system to a fractionation system, thereby minimizing emulsification of said liquid phase portions.
A method for remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated phases, comprising the steps of:
- (a) using a liquid ring vacuum pump to draw a flow of contaminated matter;
- (b) introducing said flow of contaminated matter into a first portion of a remediation system;
- (c) separating non-gaseous phases from said flow of contaminated matter in said first portion of the remediation system, thereby limiting said flow to predominantly gaseous materials;
- (d) pumping liquid phase potions of said non-gaseous phases using a low-shear pump, thereby minimizing emulsification of said liquid phase portions;
- and
- (e) reducing negative pressure induced on the liquid phase portions by said liquid ring vacuum pump to enable said liquid phase pumping step.
A mobile system for remediating three-phase subsurface hydrocarbon contamination, comprising:
- a centrifugal separating tank to separate solid, liquid and gaseous phases of subsurface contamination, said tank having a vapor phase outlet, a liquid phase outlet, and a multi-phase inlet, said inlet being connectable to a subsurface formation;
- a liquid ring vacuum pump fluidly connectable with the vapor phase outlet of said centrifugal separating tank for drawing a flow of a hydrocarbon-contaminated mixture of solids, liquids and gasses from the subsurface formation, through the centrifugal separating tank;
- a fill sensor for sensing the level of liquid within said separating tank;
- a solenoid-actuated vent in fluid communication with the separating tank for reducing negative pressure levels within the separating tank, thereby enabling flow of liquid phase from the liquid phase outlet of said tank, said vent being actuated in response to said fill sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.