Funnel-and-gate wall with replaceable remedial permeable gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-ground systems for fluid and product recovery, such as trenches and walls, face challenges in efficiently directing and remediating contaminated liquids, particularly in deep excavations where traditional methods are cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A funnel-and-gate wall system comprising impermeable side walls and a remedial permeable wall, where the impermeable side walls and gate wall are made of bentonite and cement, and the remedial permeable wall includes zero-valent metals, chelators, or microbes, forming a 'V' shape to direct contaminated liquids for remediation, with the option to replace the remedial permeable wall for extended functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional in-ground systems are used for deep excavations, then the system structure is simple, but the efficiency of directing and remediating contaminated liquids is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional segments: impermeable side walls for containment, a funnel wall for directing flow, and a remedial permeable gate wall for active remediation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, resolving the contradiction by creating a complex but highly productive system where each segment contributes to overall remediation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the system have different permeability properties - the side walls and funnel are impermeable to direct contamination, while the gate wall is permeable to allow remediation. This local differentiation of properties enables the system to both contain and treat contaminated liquids effectively, improving productivity without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire structure.
2Ease of repair
If the remedial permeable wall is made permanent, then the system provides continuous remediation, but the cost of replacement and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate wall is designed as a dynamic, replaceable component rather than a permanent fixed structure. The system allows the remedial permeable gate wall to be removed and replaced as needed, transforming from a static to a dynamic configuration that balances ease of repair with maintained reliability through periodic replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The remedial permeable gate wall is designed to be removable and replaceable, allowing the contaminated or depleted wall to be discarded and a fresh one installed. This principle resolves the contradiction by enabling easy replacement (improving ease of repair) while maintaining continuous system functionality (preserving reliability) through a replace rather than repair approach.
3Reliability
If the impermeable side walls extend deeper into the ground, then the containment effectiveness increases, but the quantity of materials and construction effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply extending the side walls deeper (vertical dimension), the system introduces a funnel-shaped wall that angles inward, creating a three-dimensional containment structure. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve effective containment with potentially less material by utilizing spatial geometry rather than just increasing depth or height linearly.
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
The system effectively remediates contaminated liquids by directing them towards the permeable wall, separating contaminants from clean water, and allows for easy replacement of the remedial permeable wall, maintaining system functionality and reducing maintenance efforts in deep excavations.
Implementation Method 1
the remedial permeable wall includes zero-valent metals, chelators, or microbes
Implementation Method 2
the remedial permeable wall includes zero-valent metals, chelators, or microbes
Implementation Method 3
the remedial permeable wall includes zero-valent metals, chelators, or microbes
Implementation Method 4
the impermeable side walls and gate wall are made of bentonite and cement
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus include a first impermeable side wall disposed within a ground and a second impermeable side wall disposed within the ground. The apparatus even further includes a third impermeable gate wall disposed within the ground, the third impermeable side wall including a third height that is shorter than both a first height and a second height of the first and second impermeable side walls, a first end of the third impermeable side wall being coupled to a second end of the first impermeable side wall, and a second end of the third impermeable side wall being coupled to the second end of the second impermeable side wall. The apparatus yet further includes a remedial permeable wall disposed atop the third impermeable gate wall, the remedial permeable wall including a fourth height, a first end of the remedial permeable wall being coupled to the second end of the first impermeable side wall, and a second end of the remedial permeable wall being coupled to the second end of the second impermeable side wall.