Diffusion Membrane Wellbore for In-Situ Groundwater Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for groundwater remediation, such as pump and treat methods, are costly and inefficient, requiring the pumping of contaminated water to the surface for treatment and subsequent re-injection, which is energy-intensive and not always effective.
Innovation Solution
The use of diffusion membranes positioned within a wellbore to facilitate the dissolution of remediation gases in an aqueous solution, which is then injected into the aquifer for in-situ groundwater remediation, increasing the concentration of remediation gases delivered to the aquifer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pump and treat methods are used for groundwater remediation, then contaminated groundwater can be treated at the surface, but the process requires energy-intensive pumping and costly surface reactors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the remediation gas dissolution process from the surface treatment facility and relocates it directly into the subsurface wellbore environment. Diffusion membranes are deployed within the wellbore to dissolve remediation gas into groundwater in-situ, eliminating the need to pump contaminated water to the surface for treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
Diffusion membranes serve as intermediary devices that facilitate the transfer of remediation gas from the gas phase into the liquid groundwater phase directly within the wellbore. These membranes enable efficient gas dissolution without requiring mechanical pumping or surface-based contactors.
2Reliability
If conventional pump and treat methods are used, then groundwater can be treated, but the process requires transporting treated groundwater back to the aquifer which increases complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the re-injection step from the conventional pump-and-treat cycle by implementing direct in-situ treatment. Contaminated groundwater is treated within the wellbore itself through gas dissolution, and the treated water remains in the aquifer, eliminating the need for complex re-injection infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wellbore system performs self-service treatment by dissolving remediation gas directly into the groundwater within the wellbore environment. The system treats the water in place without requiring external surface facilities or complex transport infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If remediation gas is injected directly into groundwater, then groundwater remediation can be achieved, but the concentration of remediation gas in the groundwater may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Diffusion membranes with porous structures are employed to dramatically increase the surface area available for gas dissolution. The porous membrane structure allows remediation gas to diffuse through large surface areas, efficiently transferring gas into the groundwater and achieving high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
Thin-film diffusion membranes are deployed within the wellbore to maximize the gas-liquid interfacial area. These thin films provide large surface areas for mass transfer while maintaining flexibility and adaptability to the wellbore environment, enabling efficient gas dissolution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances the concentration of remediation gases in the aqueous solution, allowing for more effective in-situ groundwater remediation, reducing the need for costly surface treatment and energy-intensive pumping processes.
Implementation Method 1
diffusion membranes are configured to selectively permit remediation gas flow into an aqueous solution stream comprising at least a portion of the aqueous solution flowing within the outer tubing to thereby facilitate dissolution of the remediation gas within the aqueous solution
Implementation Method 2
facilitate dissolution of the remediation gas within the aqueous solution
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to systems for remediation of groundwater in geological formations and methods of groundwater remediation in geological formations. The system can include a wellbore within a geological formation comprising an aquifer, a casing, inner tubing, a water passage, outer tubing comprising a plurality of diffusion membranes, and a formation conduit in fluid communication with the aquifer. The method may include forming a dissolved remediation gas solution within a wellbore by: passing remediation gas through an inner tubing, passing an aqueous solution into the wellbore through a water passage and an outer tubing comprising a plurality of diffusion membranes, and passing the remediation gas through the diffusion membranes to be mixed with the aqueous solution in the outer tubing to produce the dissolved remediation gas solution; and transporting at least a portion of the dissolved remediation gas solution to an aquifer within the geological formation.