Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

National Center for Manufacturing Sciences

Abdul S Abdul

Thomas L Gibson

Alva E Fincham

Carolina C Ang

Paul David Chalmer

William A Glasson

A tall cylindrical silicone rubber gas permeable tube is adapted to fit in an injection well at least partly below the water table for the bioremediation of organic contaminants and to contain pressurized oxygen and/or other gases supportive of the anaerobic micro-organism activity. The gases slowly diffuse through the bladder at rates that permit their full utilization by dissolution in the underground water.

Apparatus for enhanced bioremediation of underground contaminants

An earth contamination site groundwater testing well having a borehole which passes though subsurface soil zones of interest is provided with a probe assembly that is installed in the borehole, that has a core stem which carries spaced-apart flexible disc seals that divide the borehole into different borehole zones that correspond to the subsurface soil zones of interest, and that includes microporous sampler points in the different borehole zones. The groundwater testing well borehole may be formed with a well casing that is afterwards removed while retaining the probe assembly in position.

Groundwater testing well

A method and apparatus for achieving in situ bioremediation of dissolved or dispersed organic contaminants in the groundwater phase at a contaminated site. The apparatus of this invention is configured to be used within an injection well of the type employed with known remediation techniques and enhances the biological treatment of soil contaminants in situ with microbes through achieving optimal levels of oxidizing agents within the soil. As such, the present invention is adapted to be employed in conjunction with conventional remediation systems to treat water-borne contaminants more efficiently. Importantly, the apparatus is also capable of delivering oxidizing agents in a manner that prevents or at least reduces the occurrence of biofouling of the injection and recovery wells.

A method and apparatus for achieving in situ bioremediation of volatile contaminants in the vapor phase and dissolved or dispersed contaminants in the groundwater phase at a contaminated site. The apparatus of this invention is configured to be used within a remediation well of the type employed with vapor extraction and dewatering techniques, and serves to biologically treat soil contaminants in situ with microbes and any suitable microbial nutrients. As such, the present invention is adapted to be employed in conjunction with vapor extraction and dewatering remediation techniques to treat vapor and water-borne contaminants more effectively. The apparatus securely retains the microbes in a manner that serves to prevent leaching into the surrounding soil while simultaneously protecting the microbial population from predatory, competitive and inhibitory microorganisms.

In-well device for in situ removal of underground contaminants

In a preferred method, a spilled fluid, lighter than and immiscible with water, is removed from the subsurface by first penetrating through the fluid zone and at least partially through the groundwater zone to provide a bore in communication therewith. Then, at suitable intervals, an amount of fluid is extracted from the fluid zone through the bore at a selected rate. In addition, at suitable intervals, an amount of water from the groundwater zone is extracted through the bore at a selected rate. Meanwhile, a vacuum is applied to one or more selected portions of the subsurface to draw air therethrough, to volatilize volatilizable components of the fluid, and to induce movement of the volatile (vapor) and liquid and heavy components of the fluid into the bore for extraction. A recovery well has a perforated first tube in the bore and a second tube which moves axially within the first tube to expose a varying portion of the perforated axial extent of the second tube to the vacuum, whereby the vacuum is applied to a selected portion of the subsurface directing movement of air therethrough to volatilize light components and to induce movement of the vapor and liquid components to and through the tubes and to the top surface.

Method and apparatus for in situ removal of a spilled fluid from the

In a preferred method, a spilled fluid, lighter than and immiscible with water, is removed by, first, penetrating through the fluid zone and at least partially through the groundwater zone to provide a bore in communication therewith. Then, at suitable intervals, an amount of fluid is extracted from the fluid zone through the bore at a rate selected to maintain contact between at least a portion of the fluid being extracted through the bore and at least a portion of the fluid remaining in the fluid zone. In addition, at suitable intervals, an amount of water from the groundwater zone is extracted through the bore to produce a head of fluid above the fluid/water interface adjacent the bore sufficient to cause gravity drainage of the fluid from the fluid zone in a direction generally toward the bore. Meanwhile, a major portion of the fluid/water interface and any unstressed portions of the water table are maintained at levels closely adjacent the levels occupied prior to commencing any extraction of the fluid and the water to prevent further spread of the fluid. A combination well to practice the method comprises two preferably concentric tubes, an inside tube and a shallower, larger diameter outside tube which are disposed in a well bore and hydraulically isolated from one another by sealing means. Respective suction means extract fluid and water from the respective fluid and water zones, while maintaining the fluid/water interface and any unstressed portions of the water table at about the pre-extraction position.

Method for in situ removal of a spilled fluid from soil

An in-place soil sampler assembly includes an outer barrel or tube coupled to a corer point at one end thereof. An inner samping tube is contained within the outer tube. A soil sample retainer has a support ring connected to one end of the inner sampling tube. The support ring carries a plurality of flexible arcuate leaves each having a base portion secured to the ring and each having an apex moveable with respect to the support ring between opened and closed position. A collar is mounted at the end of the outer tube to form a cavity for receiving the soil sample retainer when the leaves are opened for passage of a soil sample from the corer point into the inner sampling tube; the leaves are closed when the support ring is removed from the cavity so as to form a convex soil sample support surface facing in the direction of the inner sampling tube for holding a soil sample therein. The inner sampling tube and soil sampler retainer are removable from the outer tube as a unit while the outer tube remains in place to avoid disturbing soil samples taken from succeeding core sections.

In-place soil sampler

A method is disclosed for the use of an aqueous surfactant solution to remove water-insoluble, organic contaminant from subsurface soil layers. The process is carried out continuously with the application of the surfactant solution and the removal of the leachate from a recovery well within the treatment area. It is contemplated that the leachate will be treated above ground to remove the dispersed contaminant.

Process for in-situ surfactant washing of contaminated soil

A soil sampler assembly for obtaining undistrubed soil samples having an outer corer member for coring the soil during sampling and including first and second ends and also having an inner sampling member having first and second ends with the inner sampling member being removably disposed within the outer corer member for receiving a soil sample and adapted to be removed from the outer corer means without disturbing the soil sample.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Abdul S Abdul