Contaminant Entombing Cap and Dam for River Plume Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Differential hydrostatic pressures after removing a decaying structure can move contaminated underground plumes into waterways, contaminating clean water supplies, and the cost of removing the structure and hazardous materials exceeds the cost of installing a dam.
Innovation Solution
A dam system comprising a preexisting structure, a dam, and a cap is constructed to entomb contaminants, using precast segments, impermeable fill, and stabilizing blankets to encapsulate and control water flow, with optional features like a powerhouse and fish ladder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a decaying structure is removed, then the waterway is cleared and navigation is improved, but contaminated underground plumes are moved into the waterway, contaminating the clean water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the problem into two separate structures: a new dam constructed downstream to control water flow and enable navigation, and the old decaying dam left in place but isolated by a cap structure. This segmentation allows navigation improvement while containing contaminants at the original location.
Solution Approach 2:
A cap structure acts as an intermediary element between the contaminated old dam and the clean waterway. This cap prevents direct contact between contaminated plumes and water, serving as a barrier that allows the old structure to remain while protecting water quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the decaying structure and hazardous material are removed, then the waterway is cleared, but the cost greatly surpasses the costs of installing a dam
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the old dam and building a single new structure, the approach is inverted: build a new dam downstream for navigation purposes, and simply cap the old dam in place. This reverses the conventional approach and achieves both navigation improvement and contaminant containment at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure serves as a relatively simple, cost-effective solution compared to full removal and replacement. It provides adequate containment without requiring expensive demolition, hazard material disposal, and complete reconstruction operations.
3Reliability
If a cap is applied over the preexisting structure to entomb contaminants, then water flow control is improved and contaminants are encapsulated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dam system is segmented into distinct functional components: the old dam structure for historical containment, the cap structure for sealing and isolation, and the new downstream dam for active water flow control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability.
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
Effectively encapsulates contaminants, preventing their release into waterways while controlling water flow and potentially generating power, thus reducing contamination risks and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A region between the preexisting structure and the dam may include an impermeable fill
Implementation Method 2
The cap may span and entomb the contaminants in at least a portion of the contamination zone
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of inventive concepts are directed to a dam system for entombing contaminants in a river. The dam system may include a preexisting structure, a dam, and a cap. The preexisting structure may be in the river and have associated therewith a contamination zone defined by a location of contaminants. The dam may be constructed upriver or downriver of the preexisting structure. The cap may be coupled to the preexisting structure and the dam. The cap may span and entomb the contaminants in at least a portion of the contamination zone.