Patent · US Expired

Treatment of contaminated water in clays and the like

US5641020A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
8References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 19, 1995
Grant dateJun 24, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 19, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB09C2101/00
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The treatment system involves the use of hydrofracturing in drilled boreholes over the treatment area. The hydrofracturing fluid contains treatment material, of the kind that causes chemical breakdown of the contaminant. The breakdown leads to a contaminant concentration of zero in the hydrofracks, and therefore the contaminant diffuses towards the hydrofracks, where it is in turn broken down. Calculations and measurements indicate whether natural cracks in the ground are far enough apart to make hydrofracturing worthwhile. A formula indicates, from an assessment of diffusion coefficients, etc, whether the contaminant will be rendered safe within a given time period.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.