Liquid purification or separation – Structural installation – Geographic
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-19
2001-07-10
Lithgow, Thomas M. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Structural installation
Geographic
C210S747300, C405S128350
Reexamination Certificate
active
06258261
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fluid-solid reactors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a permeable, reactive, wall element finding particular but not exclusive use in the subsurface in situ treatment of contaminated groundwater to remove contaminants therefrom.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,622 describes a barrier wall construction that confines and directs the underground flow of contaminated groundwater. openings or gates in the wall contain water permeable solid treatment material to remove the contaminants f rom th e water as it flows through the gate and material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,552 describes a barrier wall with a gate that includes a removable basket containing the treatment material. The basket can be removed from the gate by using a crane and the treatment material replaced or rejuvenated.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved permeable solid structure containing reactive material for reaction with fluids flowing therethrough, and more particularly for reaction with contaminated groundwater to remove contaminants therefrom.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the foregoing character which facilitates the removal and regeneration, rejuvenation or replacement of the reactive solid media or material.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an in situ, underground barrier apparatus for the removal of contaminants from groundwater in which change of the reactive material is readily and easily accomplished without the use of heavy equipment such as cranes or the like.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved permeable wall that is watertight except for the permeable reactive material through which the contaminated groundwater flows.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a permeable wall of the foregoing character in which the permeable reactive treatment material can be readily replaced or rejuvenated.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a permeable wall of the foregoing character in which the rejuvenated or replaced reactive treatment material can be readily an easily re-inserted into the in situ barrier gate for further use.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one specific aspect, the present invention is embodied in a permeable wall for the in situ treatment of groundwater flowing therethrough for the purpose of removing contaminants therefrom. The water is channeled to the permeable wall by in ground barrier walls or piling. The permeable wall is formed by a frame having bottom and side walls mounted in a gate between the barrier walls. A plurality of hexagonal cells are removably placed in the frame in watertight relation to the frame and each other. Each cell is formed by a hexagonal shell of water impermeable material, defining a central chamber extending therethrough. A water permeable reagent is contained in the shell chamber for removing contaminants from groundwater flowing through the permeable wall. More particularly, each cell is formed by a regular hexagonal shell of water impermeable material, defining opposed hexagonal faces joined by a peripherally hexagonal edge. The preferred sealing structure is formed by a peripheral sealing tongue projecting from each of three adjoining faces of the hexagonal edge and sealing grooves on the other three adjoining edge faces for sealingly receiving projecting tongues on a superimposed or adjoining cell in the wall. The shell further defines a central chamber opening into the faces of the shell, and a water permeable reagent is contained in the central chamber for removing contaminants from groundwater flowing therethrough.
In its more general aspects, of the present invention is embodied in a fluid permeable solid reactor element formed of cells of reactive material capable of reaction with a fluid flowing through the cells. The permeable reactor element is formed, as described above, by a plurality of hexagonal cells supporting solid, fluid permeable, reactive material. The cells are removably contained in a frame in fluid tight relation to each other. Each cell is formed by a hexagonal shell of fluid impervious material defining a central chamber extending through the cell and containing a reactive reagent capable of reaction with the fluids flowing through the permeable element. The construction of the individual cells is as described above.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4141821 (1979-02-01), Wolff
patent: 4409099 (1983-10-01), Wolff
patent: 5057227 (1991-10-01), Cohen
patent: 5266213 (1993-11-01), Gillham
patent: 5362394 (1994-11-01), Blowes et al.
patent: 5487622 (1996-01-01), Cherry et al.
patent: 5490743 (1996-02-01), Vales
patent: 5514279 (1996-05-01), Blowes et al.
patent: 5534154 (1996-07-01), Gillham
patent: 5624552 (1997-04-01), Vales et al.
patent: 5868941 (1999-02-01), Gillham et al.
patent: 2206501 (1989-01-01), None
Barry Creighton J.
Malloy Thomas M.
Moe Martin J.
Zaluski Marek H.
Crandell Ralph F.
Lithgow Thomas M.
MSE Technology Applications, Inc.
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