Groundwater Remediation Benefit Analysis via Trend Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating the effectiveness of groundwater remediation systems are complex due to variability in input data, leading to difficulties in assessing plume stability and determining the necessity of additional remedial actions or risk-based closure.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates plume stability characteristics, determines mass and contaminant removal trend lines, and graphically displays these to assess the remediation system's benefit, categorizing its operation as effective, ineffective, overwhelmed, or beneficial, while also considering relative cost trends and cost/benefit indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If models are used to assess the efficiency of groundwater remediation systems, then assessment capability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increase due to wide range of variable input data and model manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core assessment function from complex models by using a simplified graphical display that directly shows plume stability characteristics, mass indicator trend lines, and contaminant removed trend lines. This extraction eliminates the need for stakeholders to navigate complex model inputs and interpretations while preserving the essential assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified graphical copy of the remediation system's performance state, displaying trend lines and stability characteristics that replicate the essential information from complex models in an easily interpretable visual format, reducing the complexity burden on users.
2Measurement precision
If models with wide range of variable input data are used, then assessment thoroughness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to replication complexity and modeler variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses graphical displays with different visual elements (trend lines, stability characteristics, mass indicators) to represent various assessment parameters, making complex information easily distinguishable and interpretable without requiring complex operational procedures for replication.
3Ease of operation
If graphical display of plume stability characteristics is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but information completeness may be reduced compared to detailed model output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assessment information into distinct graphical components: plume stability characteristics, mass indicator trend lines, and contaminant removed trend lines. This segmentation allows the graphical display to present comprehensive information in an organized, easily interpretable format that maintains information completeness while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for evaluating the benefit of a remediation system, the method comprising calculating plume stability characteristics, determining a mass indicator trend line; determining a contaminant removed trend line, graphically displaying the mass indicator trend line and the contaminant removed trend line, and determining a remediation system benefit trend based on a graphical relationship of the mass indicator trend line and the contaminant removed trend line shown on the graphical display. Also, a method for analyzing a remediation system, the method comprising determining a remediation system benefit trend, determining a relative cost trend, determining a cost/benefit indicator, and categorizing the remediation system according to the remediation system benefit trend, the relative cost trend, and the cost/benefit indicator.