Modular Mobile Soil Treatment Unit for Contaminated Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopile systems for treating contaminated soils are inefficient and costly for small or medium-sized spills in remote communities due to the need for heavy machinery, trained personnel, and expensive infrastructure, making them impractical for smaller scale petroleum hydrocarbon and chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination remediation.
Innovation Solution
A modular, mobile soil treatment apparatus comprising a steel container with air circulating sections, a vacuum blower, air-water separator, and air filter, powered by solar energy, allowing for easy transportation and reuse, and capable of treating contaminated soils with petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biopile construction is used for treating contaminated soils, then treatment effectiveness is achieved, but heavy machinery and trained personnel are required, increasing cost and complexity for small or medium-sized spills
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the treatment system into modular components: a portable container unit with integrated aeration pipes, vacuum blower, and soil mixing apparatus. Each module can be independently assembled and deployed, eliminating the need for heavy machinery and complex infrastructure while maintaining treatment effectiveness through standardized design elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-contained with all necessary equipment (aeration pipes, vacuum blower, mixing apparatus) integrated into the portable container. The apparatus can be deployed and operated by personnel with minimal training, as the self-service design incorporates all functions needed for effective soil treatment within a single mobile unit.
2Reliability
If traditional biopile systems are deployed, then contaminated soil treatment is achieved, but transportation and setup require heavy machinery, reducing mobility and adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static, fixed-location biopile system into a dynamic, mobile apparatus. The portable container with integrated aeration pipes and vacuum blower can be easily transported to different sites and reconfigured for various treatment needs, providing both reliability and adaptability through its mobile design.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable apparatus is designed as a universal treatment system that can handle different types of contaminated soils and be deployed in various locations. The standardized container design with integrated components allows the same unit to serve multiple functions and be reused across different remediation projects, enhancing both adaptability and cost-effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biopiles are constructed with impermeable liners and containment berms, then contaminant leaching is prevented, but additional land area and construction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces bulky impermeable liners and containment berms with flexible, integrated sealing components within the portable container. The container's design incorporates leak-prevention features that provide equivalent protection against contaminant leaching while occupying minimal land area, as the containment function is built into the mobile unit itself rather than requiring extensive site preparation.
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 modular apparatus provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for treating contaminated soils in remote areas by reducing the need for heavy machinery and trained personnel, enabling easy transportation and reuse, while effectively degrading contaminants through biodegradation and air filtration processes.
Implementation Method 1
If air is extracted from the pile by applying a vacuum to the aeration piping, volatile constituent vapors will pass into the extracted air stream
Implementation Method 2
Biopiles are used to reduce concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in excavated soils through the use of biodegradation
Implementation Method 3
The enhanced microbial activity results in degradation of adsorbed petroleum-product constituents through microbial respiration
Implementation Method 4
volatile constituent vapors will pass into the extracted air stream which can be treated typically through a biofilter and/or carbon adsorption
Implementation Method 5
Biopiles are also typically covered by a semi-permeable liner to allow air circulation but minimize infiltration of excess water from precipitation
Implementation Method 6
A modular, mobile soil treatment apparatus comprising a steel container with air circulating sections, a vacuum blower, air-water separator, and air filter, powered by solar energy
Data Source
AI summary
A modular soil treatment system and apparatus for treating soils contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel and heating oil, chlorinated hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds is disclosed which can be transported to any site and reused.