Pressure-Controlled Soil Sanitation Injection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-situ chemical oxidation methods for soil remediation face challenges in achieving effective penetration and distribution of oxidizing agents in soils with low hydraulic permeability and heterogeneous pollutant distribution, leading to inadequate decontamination and prolonged remediation times.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-controlled injection system using a fluid substance, such as oxidizing agents or nutrient media, is introduced into the soil using a valve tube with a pressure-controlled outlet valve and mixing device, allowing for increased pressure injection up to 100 bar, enabling deeper and more homogeneous penetration even in poorly permeable soils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional injection lances are used to introduce oxidizing agents into the soil, then the injection process is simple, but the oxidizing agents do not penetrate the soil sufficiently and decontamination is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic pressure systems to inject oxidizing agents into the soil. The injection device uses controlled hydraulic pressure to force the oxidizing agent through the soil matrix, achieving sufficient penetration depth that overcomes the limitations of conventional gravity-based or low-pressure injection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the injection process, using elevated and controlled pressure levels to enhance the penetration capability of the oxidizing agent. By adjusting pressure parameters, the system achieves deeper soil penetration while maintaining control over the injection process.
2Productivity
If low hydraulic permeability soils are treated with conventional methods, then the injection process is straightforward, but the groundwater flow velocity is too low to achieve satisfactory decontamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic pressure to artificially induce groundwater flow in low-permeability soils. By applying external pressure through the injection system, the groundwater velocity is increased sufficiently to carry oxidizing agents through the soil matrix at rates that enable practical decontamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary hydraulic pressure to create initial flow pathways in the soil before the oxidizing agent fully engages. This preliminary action of pressurizing the system opens up flow channels in low-permeability soils, enabling subsequent oxidizing agent transport at adequate velocities.
3Productivity
If oxidizing agents are injected at low concentrations, then the injection process is gentle on the soil, but the degradation rate decreases significantly due to second-order reaction kinetics
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic injection system delivers oxidizing agents at controlled pressures that ensure adequate distribution throughout the soil matrix. The pressure-driven flow compensates for using moderate concentrations by ensuring thorough spatial distribution, maintaining effective degradation rates through enhanced contact between oxidizing agent and contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on high concentration to using pressure-driven spatial distribution as an additional dimension of effectiveness. By injecting at controlled pressures, the system achieves three-dimensional distribution of the oxidizing agent through the soil, compensating for moderate concentration levels through improved spatial coverage and contact efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If pressure injection is used to distribute oxidizing agents over large areas, then minimal quantities are needed, but the injection system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic pressure distribution system that efficiently transports oxidizing agents over large areas through existing groundwater flow pathways. The pressure injection mechanism leverages natural soil permeability and hydraulic gradients to achieve broad spatial distribution without requiring proportionally complex infrastructure at each treatment location.
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 significantly enhances decontamination efficiency, reduces remediation time and costs, and allows for effective treatment of pollutants in previously inaccessible soil layers by ensuring the oxidizing agents reach the contamination sites quickly and uniformly.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure-controlled injection device 4 with which a fluid substance can be introduced into the base 1 in a pressure-controlled manner. The operating pressure varies between 2 and 100 bar, particularly between 2 and 30 bar, depending on soil permeability and contaminant distribution.
Implementation Method 2
The operating principle of in-situ chemical oxidation is based on introducing and distributing suitable chemical oxidizing agents in the soil. This allows for the degradation of mineral oil hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, volatile chlorinated/halogenated hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soil.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the in situ sanitation of a soil (1) and/or water/groundwater with a contaminated soil area (2) containing degradable pollutants, in which a fluid substance is injected into the soil (1) with the aid of an injection device (4, 4'), and the fluid substance is injected into the soil (1) in a pressure-controlled manner using a pressure injection method. The invention also relates to an installation for carrying out the claimed method.