Directional Boring Permeable Reactive Barrier Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for in situ treatment of soil and groundwater contamination, such as permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), face challenges including disruption to the surface environment, high costs, and inefficiencies due to the need for trenching and the use of hazardous reactants that may clog soil or aquifers, leading to incomplete contaminant oxidation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of directional boring for PRB installation, which minimizes surface disruption by creating boreholes parallel to groundwater plumes, allowing for the placement of solid reactants that react with contaminants, thereby reducing hazardous waste and costs, and enhancing treatment efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional trenching methods are used for PRB installation, then the barrier can be installed effectively, but surface disruption and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePRB installation effectivenessVSAvoidsurface disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical trenching with directional boring technology, which uses a boring machine to create subsurface boreholes without exposing open trenches. This substitution eliminates surface disruption while maintaining the functional integrity of the permeable reactive barrier installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible liners or membranes within the boreholes to contain the reactive material and guide groundwater flow. These flexible elements allow the system to adapt to subsurface conditions while preventing surface exposure and disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If hazardous reactants are used for contaminant treatment, then treatment effectiveness improves, but risk of aquifer clogging and hazardous waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant treatment effectivenessVSAvoidhazardous waste production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of reactants by using controlled-release formulations and adjusting concentration gradients. This allows effective contaminant treatment while reducing the formation of hazardous byproducts and minimizing aquifer clogging risks through optimized reaction conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances or catalysts that facilitate contaminant degradation through intermediate reaction steps. These intermediaries break down complex hazardous compounds into simpler, less harmful substances, reducing the overall hazard level and waste production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If shallow PRB installations are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but treatment depth and effectiveness are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidbarrier installation depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple shallow trenching with directional boring equipment capable of creating deep subsurface boreholes. This mechanical substitution enables the installation of deep permeable reactive barriers that extend into the aquifer while maintaining operational simplicity through specialized drilling technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface-level trenching to three-dimensional subsurface borehole installation. This dimensional change allows the barrier to extend vertically and horizontally through the aquifer, achieving greater treatment depth and effectiveness while maintaining installation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 approach enables effective, cost-efficient, and environmentally safer treatment of contaminated groundwater and soil by reducing traffic disruption, lowering installation costs, and minimizing hazardous waste production, while ensuring deeper and longer installations with increased safety and effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a reactive material comprising a solid reactant configured to react with the at least one contaminant in the groundwater plume to produce at least one product having less hazardous characteristics than the at least one contaminant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9061333B2Process for insitu treatment of soil and groundwater

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 SPECIALTY EARTH SCIENCES LLC

AI summary

A process for insitu treatment of at least one contaminant in groundwater, the process comprises the steps of: installing a permeable reactive barrier in the flow path of the at least one contaminant, wherein the installation of the permeable reactive barrier comprises the steps of: boring a first borehole with a portion longitudinally extending; filling the longitudinally extending portion with a reactive material comprising a solid reactant configured to react with the at least one contaminant in the groundwater to produce at least one product having less hazardous characteristics than the at least one contaminant; boring a second longitudinally extending portion and filling the second longitudinally extending portion with the reactive material.