Containment of subsurface contaminants
US5345034A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB09C2101/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A barrier for reducing the spread of a plume of subsurface contaminants. The apparatus includes a well system for injecting a fluid, such as air, just outside and below the periphery of the plume. The fluid is injected at a pressure sufficient to lower the hydraulic conductivity of the soil from the point of injection to the surface thus establishing a curtain-like barrier to groundwater movement. The barrier is established upgradient of the plume to divert groundwater away, or preferably completely around the plume to reduce the flow of groundwater into or out of the plume. The barrier enables the remediation of the confined contamination and then, when the injection of the fluid is halted, the barrier quickly dissipates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.