Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc.

Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc

Other

The United States of America as Represented by the United States

U.S. Department of Energy

Mark D Ankeny

James A Kelsey

Mark E Burkhard

Robert Horton

Thomas C Kaspar

Richard M Cruse

Hugh J Brown

Mark Prieksat

Jeffrey R Forbes

Tom Kaspar

Environmental enhancement systems and methods are disclosed. The environmental enhancement system may include a ground source heat pump including a subsurface ground loop portion and a liquid supply system to apply liquid (e.g., wastewater) to soil that is proximate to the subsurface ground loop portion. Performance of the ground source heat pump is improved by increasing heat transfer between the ground loop portion and the soil that is proximate to the subsurface ground loop portion. A gas injection system may be used to inject a gas into the soil that is proximate to the subsurface ground loop portion thereby cooling the soil, liquid, and air at a surface of the soil.

Soil infrastructure systems for sustainable and integrated economic and environmental performance

A controlled-release fertilizer composition is provided that is substantially coated with an impermeable layer. The fertilizer composition may further include one or more hollow sections to allow for root penetration and efficient delivery of nutrients.

Controlled-release fertilizer composition substantially coated with an impermeable layer

An apparatus and method for controlling and/or monitoring volatile compounds such as those buried underground. A cover or cover layer is placed over the source of the volatile compounds in the ground. The cover is intentionally made to be relatively gas permeable, to allow movement of volatile compounds upward into the cover. Oxygen is encouraged to be mixed with the volatile compounds in the layer to promote oxidation and degradation of the volatiles. The treated volatile compounds can then be allowed to be emitted from the cover into atmosphere. According to an aspect of the apparatus and method, optionally, a conduit can be placed in the cover to carry and eject oxygen to and into the cover layer. It can also be used to gather in a mixture of volatiles and air (with oxygen) and transport the mixture to a desired location. Still further, another aspect of the invention includes measuring and monitoring the presence and/or amount of a volatile compound in the ground. The measurement can be used for a variety of purposes, including optimizing the control of volatile compounds.

Design, monitoring and control of soil carburetors for degradation of volatile compounds

An apparatus and method for the beneficial utilization or handling of run-off water. The apparatus includes a permeable underground water reservoir in combination with a siphon. Run-off water can be directed to the reservoir where its permeability allows infiltration of the water into an infiltration gallery which includes the soil around the system. Upon reaching a critical head, a siphon operates the siphon off water until the siphon is broken and infiltration resumes. The system can cycle between infiltration and siphon outflow unless an equilibrium between inflow and outflow is set up which can continue indefinitely. Alternative to a siphon, a valve could be used which allows outflow upon water in the reservoir reaching a critical head. The system could be used to clean or treat water, especially initial run-off from storms.

Apparatus and method for beneficial use or handling of run-off or collected water

An apparatus and method for controlling ground water flow within a contaminated soil zone. A constant head moat is created surrounding the contaminated volume by digging a trench encircling the volume. A closed loop pipe, slotted or perforated, is laid in the bottom of the trench and serves to cause a constant hydraulic head around the perimeter of the zone. This prevents ground water movement into the zone. An upward gradient is created within the zone by trees, plants or mechanical pumps to move ground water inward and upward. Leaching or movement of contaminants out of the zone is minimized or eliminated.

Constant hydraulic head moat and method for controlling regional ground

A method and apparatus for hydraulically isolating a volume in porous unsaturated material, such as soil. Air is forced through a permeable layer of material adjacent to the volume to be hydraulically isolated. The air flow through the permeable layer creates a water potential gradient. This causes water to migrate from more saturated areas which in turn would allow hydraulic isolation of any unsaturated area.

Means and method for hydraulically isolating unsaturated zones in soil

An apparatus and method for determining physical and chemical properties of a porous medium such as soil or rock. A sample of porous medium is held within a container. Conditions regarding the sample are sensed, including but not limited to weight, temperature, pressure, and humidity. Conditions at the sample can be brought to equilibrium or varied according to instructions. A control system can adjust or equilibrate the conditions according to desire and according to which properties or relationships between physical and chemical properties are desired to be derived.

Means and method for measurement of porous materials

A soil desorption device and method which utilizes an easily manufacturable and assemblable pressure cell to contain soil samples. The pressure cells are in turn easily attachable to pneumatic pressure manifolds and can be independently valved. The cells are also easily adapted to be connected to collection containers for any desorbed fluid. Each cell utilizes a cylindrical container having rubber gaskets at opposite ends and which can be sandwiched between top and bottom plates to seal the container. A thin nylon membrane having small pores is positioned at the bottom of the container and the bottom plate has apertures to allow fluid forced through the membrane to pass to the fluid collection devices. This cell presents low impedance to fluid flow, produces high flow rates, and allows maintenance of good seals and accurate pressurization of each cell. These and other features and advantages allow for more economical and better soil desorption procedures and soil hydraulic characteristic measurements.

Means and method of soil water desorption

A ponded infiltrometer including a bubble chamber formed in a base that supports a liquid reservoir. A single valve interposed in a channel between the bubble chamber and the reservoir controls both air flow into the device and water flow out of the device. A selectively movable bubble tube communicates between the bubble chamber and the atmosphere, and the position of the lower end of the bubble tube precisely regulates the amount of ponded water in the containment ring which contacts a section of soil. The base and attached reservoir are supported and secured above the containment ring by an adjustable tripod.

Automated ponded infiltrometer

An automated tension infiltrometer including a soil contacting base to which is mounted a porous plate for interfacing the infiltrometer with the soil to be analyzed. A Marriotte column is positioned in the base so that its open bottom end abuts the porous plate. A bubble tower is also positioned in the base and has a bubbling tube operatively connected between its interior and interior of the Marriotte column. The bubble tower is adjustable to provide variable tension to the Marriotte column. First and second transducers are positioned at the upper and lower parts of the Marriotte column and continuously measure pressure changes at those positions while water from the column infiltrates into the soil. By correlating these measurements, improved precision in measuring water level is achieved, which in turn allows improved results regarding deriving soil characteristic information.

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Mark D Ankeny