Perforated casing method and system
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsHarold J. Vinegar, George L. Stegemeier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A perforated casing may be placed within contaminated soil. Perforations within the casing may be covered during insertion of the casing into the ground. Covering the perforations may inhibit plugging of the perforations during installation. Covering the perforations may also inhibit worker exposure to contaminant dust or vapors during insertion of the casing into the ground. The covering for the perforations in a casing may be plugs that are placed or formed in the casing perforations. Alternately, the covering for the perforations may be a sleeve placed adjacent to the perforations. After installation of the casing, heating or chemically treating the perforation coverings may remove the coverings and allow insertion or removal of fluids and vapor through the casing.
Claims67
A method of establishing an elongated conduit that allows for flow of fluid into or out of soil to be remediated, comprising:
- applying heat to the elongated conduit from at least one well external to the elongated conduit;
- wherein applying heat to the elongated conduit comprises heating the well, transferring heat from the well to the soil, and transferring heat from the soil to the elongated conduit;
- and
- wherein the heat applied to the elongated conduit at least partially removes material positioned in openings in the elongated conduit to open the elongated conduit to allow fluid flow into or out of the elongated conduit, and wherein the material is positioned in the openings before insertion of the elongated conduit into the soil.
A method of establishing an elongated conduit that allows for flow of fluid into or out of soil to be remediated, comprising:
- applying an electrical current to the elongated conduit to resistively heat the conduit;
- wherein heat applied to the elongated conduit by resistive heating at least partially removes material positioned in openings in the elongated conduit to open the elongated conduit to allow fluid flow into or out of the elongated conduit, and wherein the material is positioned in the openings before insertion of the elongated conduit into the soil;
- and
- consolidating packing or soil adjacent to the elongated conduit with melted material from the openings.
A method of establishing an elongated conduit that allows for flow of fluid into or out of soil to be remediated, comprising:
- applying heat to the soil from at least one well external to the elongated conduit;
- wherein applying heat to the soil comprises heating the at least one well, and transferring heat from the at least one well to the soil;
- and
- exposing openings in the elongated conduit by removing a sleeve abutting the elongated conduit that blocks the openings with heat supplied from the at least one well, wherein the sleeve is placed in a position to block the openings before insertion of the elongated conduit into the soil.
A method of establishing an elongated conduit that allows for flow of fluid into or out of soil to be remediated, comprising:
- applying an electrical current to the elongated conduit to resistively heat the conduit;
- wherein heat applied to the elongated conduit by resistive heating at least partially removes a sleeve that blocks openings in the elongated conduit to open the elongated conduit to allow fluid flow into or out of the elongated conduit, and wherein the sleeve is positioned to block the openings before the elongated conduit is inserted into the soil;
- and
- consolidating packing or soil adjacent to the elongated conduit with melted material from the sleeve.
A method of establishing an elongated conduit that allows for flow of fluid into or out of soil to be remediated, comprising:
- introducing a chemical into the soil from one or more wells adjacent to the elongated conduit;
- contacting the elongated conduit with a portion of the chemical to react the chemical with material placed in openings in the elongated conduit, wherein the material is placed in the openings before insertion of the conduit into the soil;
- wherein the reaction between the chemical and the material at least partially removes some of the material from the openings to open the elongated conduit to fluid flow into or out of the elongated conduit;
- and
- consolidating packing or soil adjacent to the elongated conduit with melted material from the sleeve.
A method of establishing an elongated conduit that allows for flow of fluid into or out of soil to be remediated, comprising:
- introducing a chemical into the soil from one or more wells adjacent to the elongated conduit;
- contacting a sleeve that blocks openings of the elongated conduit with a portion of the chemical to react the chemical with the sleeve and expose at least some of the openings, wherein the sleeve is positioned to block the openings before the elongated conduit is inserted into the soil;
- and
- consolidating packing or soil adjacent to the elongated conduit with melted material from the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.