WO1991003280A1 - Apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from soil - Google Patents

Apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from soil Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1991003280A1
WO1991003280A1 PCT/AU1990/000391 AU9000391W WO9103280A1 WO 1991003280 A1 WO1991003280 A1 WO 1991003280A1 AU 9000391 W AU9000391 W AU 9000391W WO 9103280 A1 WO9103280 A1 WO 9103280A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
soil
contaminants
air
pipe
vapour
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1990/000391
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ronald E. Hess
Albert A. Hooper
Steven R. Morrow
Dianne J. Walker
Erich Zimmerman
Nicholas J. Withers
Russell N. Synnot
Original Assignee
Dames & Moore Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dames & Moore Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Dames & Moore Pty. Ltd.
Publication of WO1991003280A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991003280A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/30—Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimizing the spacing of wells
    • E21B43/305—Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimizing the spacing of wells comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C1/00—Reclamation of contaminated soil
    • B09C1/005—Extraction of vapours or gases using vacuum or venting
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/005—Waste disposal systems

Definitions

  • TITLE APPARATUS FOR REMOVING VOLATILE CONTAMINANTS FROM SOI Field of the Invention
  • This invention relates to the removal of contaminants fro soil, and in particular relates to apparatus for removin volatile contaminants.
  • the invention provides apparatus for removing contaminant from soil or the like, including means to induce a flow of vapou and/or air containing vapour through said soil to treatmen means.
  • the invention also provices a method for removin contaminants from soil or the like, including the steps o inducing an air flow in said soil, delivering vapours and/or ai containing vapours from said soil to conduit means, and treatin said vapours and/or said air containing vapours.
  • the invention further provides a processor system fo removing contaminants from soil, including an extraction well, vacuum extraction unit adapted to extract said contaminants in gas flow from said soil through said well, and means for removin contaminants from said gas or destroying said contaminants.
  • Fig. 1 is a section through a vertical extraction well
  • Fig. 2 is a section through a horizontal extraction well
  • Fig. 3 is a generalised schematic chart of the contaminant extraction apparatus of this invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred treatment unit for extracted gases. Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, in each case there is shown contaminated soil 10, having a surface 12 and a water table 14.
  • FIG. 1 a vertical extraction well is shown.
  • a vertical bore 16 is produced by conventional means, such as by use of an auger.
  • the bore 16 may extend to within 0.3 m of the water table 14.
  • a pipe 18 Located in bore 16 is a pipe 18.
  • the pipe 18 has at least a portion thereof provided with apertures, and more preferably those apertures are slots.
  • the slots may be transverse and/or longitudinal with respect to the pipe.
  • a cap 19 is located over the lower end of pipe 18.
  • 100mm diameter PVC pipe be used with a slot width in the range 2.5mm to 3.5mm.
  • the slots are preferably evenly spaced about 25mm apart on opposite sides of the pipe or are longitudinal slots evenly spaced about the circumference of the pipe.
  • a 'filter sock' 20 is placed over at least the slotted portion of pipe 18, to prevent soil particles from being drawn through the slots.
  • Air is pumped by a vacuum extraction unit (to be described hereinafter) in the direction of arrow 22. This may be done by coupling unslotted pipe to pipe 18.
  • sheeting 24 is laid over the ground surface 12, to minimise vertical flow of air through the soil.
  • the sheeting 24 is intended to confine air flow to a horizontal flow and to extend the horizontal distance from bore 16 from which air will flow through soil 10 to bore 16.
  • the sheeting 24 is preferably PVC sheeting, laid by unrolling a 100m long by 4m wide roll of 100 to 200 micron thickness black PVC, with an overlap of adjoining lengths of approximately 300mm.
  • the sheeting is kept in place by laying objects such as soil or rocks on it to prevent it being blow away by the wind.
  • a horizontal well 26 is shown.
  • a trench (no shown) is dug and pipe 18 is laid.
  • An indicative length o trench for a single horizontal well is 35m.
  • the pipe 18 i similar to that of Fig. 1, although it is preferred to use 1mm b 5mm perforations, with approximately 1200m 2 of perforations pe metre of pipe.
  • a cap 19 is fitted, and a filter sock 20 locate over the pipe.
  • An unslotted pipe 30 is connected to pipe 18 an the trench backfilled.
  • the pipe 18 is preferably laid some 0.7 above water table 14.
  • the method of extraction of vapour or vapourisabl contaminants involves the use of vacuum extraction, with partial vacuum being created within the slotted pipes.
  • Thi causes air to be drawn through the soil to the pipe, the ai flow through the soil 10 extracts the volatile contaminants i the soil 10.
  • Air containing the vapour exits at the arrow 22 t the apparatus to be described hereinafter. It may be desired t lay plastics material sheeting 24 on surface 12, to minimis vertical flow of air through the soil, and to extend th horizontal distance from which air flows through the soil 10 t the respective well.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a horizontal extraction well 26 with a slotted-pipe arrangement 18 therein.
  • the wells 16 and/or 26 may be arranged in any suitabl pattern on a site, but one suggested arrangement is th connection of the wells by pipes forming a 'ring main' around th site, leading to the extraction apparatus (to be describe hereinafter). Another suggested arrangement is connection o the wells by pipes to a manifold, then by pipes from the manifol leading to the extraction apparatus.
  • Fig. 3 shows a generalised block diagram of an embodiment extraction apparatus according to the invention.
  • Arrows 32 show the direction of flow of contaminant- lad gas through mains 34,36 from wells 17 and/or 26.
  • Main suction line 38 has ports 40,42 for apparatus 44 which has a monitoring provision for pressure, temperature, concentration, flow rate and so on.
  • Apparatus 44 may also control an optional air bleed facility 46, preferably on the basis of concentration monitoring. Other types of monitoring and/or different locations for monitoring may also be utilised.
  • a liquid seal drum or liquid catchpot 48 is provided in line 38 before extraction pumps 50, to prevent possible flashback in the case of a liquid seal drum, and to remove liquids and solid particles from the flow stream. It is possible to decant hydrocarbons (52) and water (54) which might separate out in a liquid form in the liquid seal drum or liquid catchpot.
  • Pump(s) 50 are preferably 'liquid ring' type blowers or pumps, although other types of blowers (such as Root vacuum pumps) may be used, provided that an adequate suction is generated. For extensive extensive jobs, parallel arrangement of a plurality of pumps may be adopted.
  • a knock-out drum/liquid seal or liquid catchpot 56 is provided to prevent flashback from treatment apparatus 58 in the case of a liquid seal drum and to separate out any further condensate.
  • hydrocarbons (60) and water (62) may be decanted from liquid seal 56.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a vapour combustor arrangement 64, which has a flame arrestor 66 upstream thereof.
  • the vapour combustor 64 is a gas-assisted enclosed flare system and includes a ceramic fibre refractory 66 and an anti-flashback burner 68 producing an enclosed flame 70.
  • a gas line 72 supplies assist gas to burner 68.
  • a second gas line 74 supplies gas to an energy efficient pilot 76.
  • An auto igniter 78 serves to ignite pilot 76.
  • Assist air is supplied at 80, with an air assist blower 82 used.
  • a temperature sensor 84 in refractory 66 is connected to a temperature control 86 which in turn is connected to a valve 88 in gas line 72, to maintain refractory temperature.
  • the hydrocarbon-laden gas will usually burn in th refractory 66, but assist gas is used to maintain an adequat temperature. Emissions from the combustor 64 meet the require criteria.
  • treatment apparatus 58 may be used.
  • Example are activated carbon canisters, and catalytic converters.

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from soil (10) includes a well (16) in which is situated a slotted pipe (18). The pipe (18) is connected to vacuum apparatus (22) which pumps air from the pipe (18) vaporised contaminants or air containing vaporised contaminants pass through slots (17) to the interior of the pipe (18). The vapours and/or air containing vapours is then treated to remove the contaminants or to destroy them.

Description

TITLE : APPARATUS FOR REMOVING VOLATILE CONTAMINANTS FROM SOI Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the removal of contaminants fro soil, and in particular relates to apparatus for removin volatile contaminants. Background of the Invention
Industrial, commercial or storage use of a site may resul in contamination of the soil of the site. By way of examples, petrol or other materials may spill, leak from tanks, or from a industrial process. When such a site is to be re-developed, planning or other authority will now demand that the soil b cleared of such contaminants.
Any contaminant material present as a vapour or gas, or a a vapourisable liquid can potentially be removed. To date, n satisfactory apparatus for removing said materials has bee proposed. Brief Summary of the Invention
It is an object of this invention to provide an improve apparatus and/or system for removing volatile contaminants.
The invention provides apparatus for removing contaminant from soil or the like, including means to induce a flow of vapou and/or air containing vapour through said soil to treatmen means.
The invention also provices a method for removin contaminants from soil or the like, including the steps o inducing an air flow in said soil, delivering vapours and/or ai containing vapours from said soil to conduit means, and treatin said vapours and/or said air containing vapours.
The invention further provides a processor system fo removing contaminants from soil, including an extraction well, vacuum extraction unit adapted to extract said contaminants in gas flow from said soil through said well, and means for removin contaminants from said gas or destroying said contaminants.
An embodiment of the invention, which may be preferred, wil be described in detail hereinafter, with reference to th accompanying drawings, in which:- Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a section through a vertical extraction well;
Fig. 2 is a section through a horizontal extraction well;
Fig. 3 is a generalised schematic chart of the contaminant extraction apparatus of this invention; and
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred treatment unit for extracted gases. Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, in each case there is shown contaminated soil 10, having a surface 12 and a water table 14.
In Fig. 1, a vertical extraction well is shown. A vertical bore 16 is produced by conventional means, such as by use of an auger. In an exemplary case, the bore 16 may extend to within 0.3 m of the water table 14.
Located in bore 16 is a pipe 18. Preferably the pipe 18 has at least a portion thereof provided with apertures, and more preferably those apertures are slots. The slots may be transverse and/or longitudinal with respect to the pipe. A cap 19 is located over the lower end of pipe 18.
It is preferred that 100mm diameter PVC pipe be used with a slot width in the range 2.5mm to 3.5mm. The slots are preferably evenly spaced about 25mm apart on opposite sides of the pipe or are longitudinal slots evenly spaced about the circumference of the pipe.
A 'filter sock' 20 is placed over at least the slotted portion of pipe 18, to prevent soil particles from being drawn through the slots.
Air is pumped by a vacuum extraction unit (to be described hereinafter) in the direction of arrow 22. This may be done by coupling unslotted pipe to pipe 18.
Preferably, sheeting 24 is laid over the ground surface 12, to minimise vertical flow of air through the soil. The sheeting 24 is intended to confine air flow to a horizontal flow and to extend the horizontal distance from bore 16 from which air will flow through soil 10 to bore 16.
The sheeting 24 is preferably PVC sheeting, laid by unrolling a 100m long by 4m wide roll of 100 to 200 micron thickness black PVC, with an overlap of adjoining lengths of approximately 300mm. The sheeting is kept in place by laying objects such as soil or rocks on it to prevent it being blow away by the wind.
In Fig. 2, a horizontal well 26 is shown. A trench (no shown) is dug and pipe 18 is laid. An indicative length o trench for a single horizontal well is 35m. The pipe 18 i similar to that of Fig. 1, although it is preferred to use 1mm b 5mm perforations, with approximately 1200m2 of perforations pe metre of pipe. A cap 19 is fitted, and a filter sock 20 locate over the pipe. An unslotted pipe 30 is connected to pipe 18 an the trench backfilled. The pipe 18 is preferably laid some 0.7 above water table 14.
The method of extraction of vapour or vapourisabl contaminants involves the use of vacuum extraction, with partial vacuum being created within the slotted pipes. Thi causes air to be drawn through the soil to the pipe, the ai flow through the soil 10 extracts the volatile contaminants i the soil 10. Air containing the vapour exits at the arrow 22 t the apparatus to be described hereinafter. It may be desired t lay plastics material sheeting 24 on surface 12, to minimis vertical flow of air through the soil, and to extend th horizontal distance from which air flows through the soil 10 t the respective well.
In Fig. 2, there is shown a horizontal extraction well 26 with a slotted-pipe arrangement 18 therein. A conduit 28 i located in vertical bore 30, and is connected to the horizonta well at approximately right angles.
The wells 16 and/or 26 may be arranged in any suitabl pattern on a site, but one suggested arrangement is th connection of the wells by pipes forming a 'ring main' around th site, leading to the extraction apparatus (to be describe hereinafter). Another suggested arrangement is connection o the wells by pipes to a manifold, then by pipes from the manifol leading to the extraction apparatus.
Fig. 3 shows a generalised block diagram of an embodiment extraction apparatus according to the invention.
Arrows 32 show the direction of flow of contaminant- lad gas through mains 34,36 from wells 17 and/or 26. Main suction line 38 has ports 40,42 for apparatus 44 which has a monitoring provision for pressure, temperature, concentration, flow rate and so on. Apparatus 44 may also control an optional air bleed facility 46, preferably on the basis of concentration monitoring. Other types of monitoring and/or different locations for monitoring may also be utilised. A liquid seal drum or liquid catchpot 48 is provided in line 38 before extraction pumps 50, to prevent possible flashback in the case of a liquid seal drum, and to remove liquids and solid particles from the flow stream. It is possible to decant hydrocarbons (52) and water (54) which might separate out in a liquid form in the liquid seal drum or liquid catchpot.
Pump(s) 50 are preferably 'liquid ring' type blowers or pumps, although other types of blowers (such as Root vacuum pumps) may be used, provided that an adequate suction is generated. For extensive extensive jobs, parallel arrangement of a plurality of pumps may be adopted.
After pumps 50, a knock-out drum/liquid seal or liquid catchpot 56 is provided to prevent flashback from treatment apparatus 58 in the case of a liquid seal drum and to separate out any further condensate. As with liquid seal drum or liquid catchpot 48, hydrocarbons (60) and water (62) may be decanted from liquid seal 56.
Any appropriate treatment system 58 may be used to treat the contaminant-laden extracted gas. In Fig. 4, there is shown a vapour combustor arrangement 64, which has a flame arrestor 66 upstream thereof.
The vapour combustor 64 is a gas-assisted enclosed flare system and includes a ceramic fibre refractory 66 and an anti-flashback burner 68 producing an enclosed flame 70. A gas line 72 supplies assist gas to burner 68.
A second gas line 74 supplies gas to an energy efficient pilot 76. An auto igniter 78 serves to ignite pilot 76. Assist air is supplied at 80, with an air assist blower 82 used.
A temperature sensor 84 in refractory 66 is connected to a temperature control 86 which in turn is connected to a valve 88 in gas line 72, to maintain refractory temperature. Clearly, the hydrocarbon-laden gas will usually burn in th refractory 66, but assist gas is used to maintain an adequat temperature. Emissions from the combustor 64 meet the require criteria.
Other forms of treatment apparatus 58 may be used. Example are activated carbon canisters, and catalytic converters.

Claims

1. Apparatus for removing contaminants from soil or the like, including means to induce a flow of vapour and/or air containing vapour through said soil to treatment means.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means to induce a flow includes conduit means located in said soil, said conduit means including apertures communicating with said soil.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said conduit means is a slotted pipe.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said slotted pipe has transverse and/or longitudinal slots.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said means to induce a vapour includes air pumping means to extract air from said conduit means, to allow vapour and/or air containing vapour to pass from said soil to said conduit means.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said contaminants are volatile.
7. A method for removing contaminants from soil or the like, including the steps of inducing an air flow in said soil, delivering vapours and/or air containing vapours from said soil to conduit means, and treating said vapours and/or said air containing vapours.
8. A processor system for removing contaminants from soil, including an extraction well, a vacuum extraction unit adapted to extract said contaminants in a gas flow from said soil through said well, and means for removing contaminants from said gas or destroying said contaminants.
9. A processor system according to claim 8 wherein said includes a slotted conduit, said gas being adapted to enter said conduit through said slots.
10. A processor system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein a substantially air-impermeable sheet is placed on the ground surface over and/or around said well.
PCT/AU1990/000391 1989-08-31 1990-08-31 Apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from soil WO1991003280A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPJ608489 1989-08-31
AUPJ6084 1989-08-31

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WO1991003280A1 true WO1991003280A1 (en) 1991-03-21

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4225125A1 (en) * 1992-07-30 1994-02-03 Filter Und Wassertechnik Gmbh Device for extracting gases from the ground
EP0640001A1 (en) * 1992-05-13 1995-03-01 Donald R Justice Linear contaminant remediation system.
WO1995007773A1 (en) * 1993-09-15 1995-03-23 Tauw Milieu B.V. Method and device for detecting soil pollution or cleaning up polluted soil in situ, respectively
DE19606379A1 (en) * 1996-02-21 1997-08-28 Peter Dipl Biol Dr Harborth In-situ cleaning method for contaminated soils

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4593760A (en) * 1984-01-04 1986-06-10 The Upjohn Company Removal of volatile contaminants from the vadose zone of contaminated ground
US4660639A (en) * 1984-01-04 1987-04-28 The Upjohn Company Removal of volatile contaminants from the vadose zone of contaminated ground
DE3739126A1 (en) * 1987-11-19 1989-06-01 Schuette Reiner Process and system for decontaminating a soil zone
US4890673A (en) * 1987-03-04 1990-01-02 Midwest Water Resource, Inc. Method of removing volatile contaminants from contaminated earth strata
US4895085A (en) * 1988-01-11 1990-01-23 Chips Mark D Method and structure for in-situ removal of contamination from soils and water

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4593760A (en) * 1984-01-04 1986-06-10 The Upjohn Company Removal of volatile contaminants from the vadose zone of contaminated ground
US4660639A (en) * 1984-01-04 1987-04-28 The Upjohn Company Removal of volatile contaminants from the vadose zone of contaminated ground
US4593760B1 (en) * 1984-01-04 1989-06-20
US4890673A (en) * 1987-03-04 1990-01-02 Midwest Water Resource, Inc. Method of removing volatile contaminants from contaminated earth strata
DE3739126A1 (en) * 1987-11-19 1989-06-01 Schuette Reiner Process and system for decontaminating a soil zone
US4895085A (en) * 1988-01-11 1990-01-23 Chips Mark D Method and structure for in-situ removal of contamination from soils and water

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0640001A1 (en) * 1992-05-13 1995-03-01 Donald R Justice Linear contaminant remediation system.
EP0640001A4 (en) * 1992-05-13 1996-05-15 Donald R Justice Linear contaminant remediation system.
DE4225125A1 (en) * 1992-07-30 1994-02-03 Filter Und Wassertechnik Gmbh Device for extracting gases from the ground
WO1995007773A1 (en) * 1993-09-15 1995-03-23 Tauw Milieu B.V. Method and device for detecting soil pollution or cleaning up polluted soil in situ, respectively
NL9301596A (en) * 1993-09-15 1995-04-03 Tauw Milieu Bv Method and device for signaling soil contamination or remediation of contaminated soil in situ.
DE19606379A1 (en) * 1996-02-21 1997-08-28 Peter Dipl Biol Dr Harborth In-situ cleaning method for contaminated soils
DE19606379C2 (en) * 1996-02-21 1999-05-27 Peter Dipl Biol Dr Harborth Process for in-situ cleaning of contaminated soils

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