Microporous diffusion apparatus

Abstract

Apparatuses for removal of volatile organic compounds in a soil formation include a microporous diffuser for injecting air and gaseous ozone as bubbles into water in the soil formation. The gaseous ozone is present at concentrations to effect removal of volatile organic compounds by the gaseous ozone reacting with the volatile organic compound(s). Injection of air and gaseous ozone is controlled by a timer to allow separation of bubbles by size. In various embodiments, a plurality of microporous diffusers may be controlled by a single timer or each of the plurality of microporous diffusers may be controlled by one of a plurality of timers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,645,380, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 997,452, filed Nov. 24, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,706, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 943,111, filed Aug. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,318, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 606,952, filed Jun. 29, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,143, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 220,401, filed Dec. 24, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,407, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 756,273, filed Nov. 25, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,775, which is a-continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 638,017, filed Apr. 25, 1996, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29 / 038,499, filed May 5, 1995, now abandoned. Each of these applications is incorporated by referenc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The present system, hereinafter C-Sparger® system, is directed to low-cost removal of dissolved chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents such as perc from contaminated soil and groundwater aquifers. The C-Sparger® system employs microporous diffusers, hereinafter Spargepoints®, for producing micro-fine bubbles containing an oxidizing agent that decomposes chlorinated hydrocarbons into harmless byproducts. The C-Sparger® system also incorporates: means for pumping a multi-gas oxidizing mixture through the Spargepoint® into groundwater in a soil formation, a bubble production chamber to generate bubbles of differing size, a timer to delay pumping until large bubbles have segregated from small bubbles by rise time, and a pump which forces the fine bubbles and liquid out into the soil formation. The pumping means intermittently agitates the water in the well in which the C-Sparger® is installed in order to effectively disturb the normal inverted cone-shaped path of the bubbles injected by the Spargepoint®. Water agitation results in random bubble dispersion to ensure improved contact between the oxidizing agent (contained in each bubble) and the pollutant. The pulsing action promotes movement of the bubbles through the porous formation. It is the in situ stripping action and maintenance of low solvent gas concentration in the bubbles which increases the efficacy and speed of remediation of a site.

[0051]Another object of the present disclosure is to provide multi-gas systems to be used in combination with the microporous diffusers to promote an efficient removal of poorly biodegradable organics, particularly dissolved chlorinated solvents, without vacuum extraction.

Problems solved by technology

However, an apparatus using micro-fine bubbles including a multi-gas oxidizing agent for the controlled remediation of a site containing poorly biodegradable organics, particularly dissolved chlorinated solvents, has not been shown.

Notwithstanding the teachings of the prior art, there has not been shown an apparatus for remediating a site contaminated with poorly biodegradable organics, particularly dissolved chlorinated solvents, with micro-fine bubbles including an encapsulated multi-gas oxidizing agent in a controlled manner.

None of the models to date are designed for explosive environments.

The major problem in effectiveness is ozone's short half-life.

In actual practice diffusion is rate-limiting, resulting in the most effective removal with PCE (tetrachloroethylene).

Without reaction with a decomposing gas, such as ozone, a large mass can be transmitted in a short time, creating potential health problems near residential basement areas.

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