WO2015195930A1

WO2015195930A1 - Soil and water contamination remediation injector and method of use

Info

Publication number: WO2015195930A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/036450
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lance I. ROBINSON; Erik R. Piatt
Original assignee: Enrx, Inc.
Priority date: 2014-06-20
Filing date: 2015-06-18
Publication date: 2015-12-23

Abstract

A method of remediating an environmental contaminant and device for performing the same is disclosed herein. The device uses a liquid carrier source with a venturi pump in liquid communication with the liquid carrier source and an output for the venturi pump and at least one injection port in fluid communication with the output of the venturi pump. The injection port injects a remediator, such as an oxidizing material or chemical, into the liquid carrier, which is then contacted with the environmental contaminant and permitted to degrade or dispose of the environmental contaminant.

Description

SOIL AND WATER CONTAMINATION REMEDIATION

INJECTOR AND METHOD OF USE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to pending U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 14/310,157, entitled "Soil and Water Contamination Remediation injector and Method of Use", fiied June 20, 2014 which ciaims priority to expired Provisional Patent Application No. 61/837,236, entitled "Soil and Water Contamination Remediation injector and Method of Use", fiied on June 20, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention reiates to remediation injection systems for in situ or ex situ remediation of contaminated soii and/or ground water. More specifically, the invention provides a novei method and device for injecting chemicais and/or faioiogicai material into soil or water using for remediation of contaminated soii and/or ground water.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Soi! contamination, such as by industrial activity and agricultural chemicais, is a serious concern throughout the world. The contamination may be a resuSt of spills, accidents, or improper disposal of waste. The problem of soil contaminated by organic pollutants such as hydrocarbons, po!ynuciear aromatics, organo-chiorinated products is becoming increasingly more dramatic in industrialized countries, not only in terms of interventions on pollution of soil and underground water, but the necessity to use contaminated lands for industrial and civi! use. There are many sources of pollution and various characteristics of soil subjected to contaminants. Contaminants in the soil can adversely impact the health of animals and humans when they ingest, inhale, or touch contaminated soil, or when they eat plants or animals that have uptaken contaminants from soil. Animals ingest and come into contact with contaminants when they burrow in contaminated soil For example, many of the widely used pesticides on agricultural lands are potentially carcinogenic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified 15 such chemicais from the 27 most common!y used. Remediation methods include ex situ methods such as excavation of affected soils and subsequent treatment at the surface, and in situ methods which treat the contamination without removing the soil.

Prior to determining the appropriate remediation, the contamination site must be identified, including delineating the extent of the contamination of both soil and groundwater, as the effectiveness of the in situ chemical oxidation technology is site specific. Further, the contaminants, and the characteristics of the contaminants, must be identified, including amounts and concentrations. Based on the contamination, the geology, hydrology and hydrogeology are determined. The injection of oxidants into the groundwater may cause contamination to spread faster than normal, depending on the contaminant and the site's hydrogeology. For example, some meta! contaminants increase solubility in an oxidizing environment or reducing environment, thereby increasing contamination migration rates. Once the site analysis is complete, a remedial action plan may be determined.

Solidification and stabilization technology that relies on the reaction between a binder and soil to stop/prevent or reduce the mobility of contaminants. For example, a reactive wail is assembled for remediation of contaminated underground water using granular iron has been in use as reactive medium, in one variation, a mixture of iron and ferrous sulfide is used to remediate soils of haiogenated hydrocarbons. In another, a tiered iron wal or co!umn, comprising in at least three zones of graduated sizes of iron partic!es as reactive medium is used for haiogenated hydrocarbons, iron (Fe°) undergoes oxidation, forming redox couples thereby de-halogenating and oxidizing the contaminants. Another variation uses Portland cement or other hydraulic ligand to bind the contaminants in location and physically block the contaminant inside the cementitious matrix preventing further migration of the contaminant into the surrounding environment. The technology has a good success record but suffers from deficiencies related to durability of solutions and potential long-term effects, !n addition CO2 emissions due to the use of cement are aiso becoming a major obstacle to its widespread use in solidification/ stabilization.

Excavation or dredging is used to remove contaminated soil, and may a!so be used to aerate the soil to remove volatile organic compounds (VOGs). Bio-remediation, through bioaugmentation and biostimuiation of the excavated materia!, has shown promise for remediation of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Chemical oxidation has also been utilized in the remediation of contaminated soil. This process involves the excavation of the contaminated area into large bermed areas where they are treated using chemical oxidation methods. However, biological remediation is iimited to biodegradable compounds and compounds at non-toxic concentrations; in addition the Song period of time needed to complete remediation adversely affects the biological systems, limiting use of the technology. Solubilization and recovery, or surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation, injects hydrocarbon mitigation agents or surfactants into the soil to speed desorption and recovery of bound up contaminants, such as hydrocarbons. Some variations of solubilization and recovery use pollutants' affinity, either chemically or physically, to bind finer particles of the sediment. These particles can be separated from the remaining soil using differentia! separation techniques through size, density and surface properties. The separated, fine particles are a small fraction of soil, but contain the majority of pollutants. However, this process requires large volumes of surfactant and also possesses difficulty in recovering the surfactants.

In situ organic pollutants removal includes extraction, such as using lipophylic solvent and treating the purified soil with water to remove the residua! solvent {D'Angefi, et at,, PCT/EP2002/007495). in situ bioremediation has also been used by boring injection holes in the contaminated soi! and set casing info the hole to receive the treatment biological materials. This remediation is expensive, cumbersome, requires large equipment, and does not provide a fine adjustment of the remediation process because it relies upon a few large holes and not many small ones to tightly control the treatment area. High pressure gas and oxygen have been added to the hole to drive the biological materials out into the surrounding soil to effect treatment, in some cases this approach uses high pressure and iarge volumes which have caused contaminants to migrate to previously uncontaminated areas.

in situ oxidation involves the injection of strong oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone gas, potassium permanganate or persuffates, into the soil. Each type of oxidant is effective for a different group of contaminants. Among these three oxidants, hydrogen peroxide and ozone are the common selections used to treat petroleum hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethyl- benzene and total xylenes (BTEX) impacted soil and groundwater. Permanganate is believed to have limited effectiveness for BTEX, especially for benzene. The success of in situ chemical oxidation is dependent on effectively delivering chemical oxidants to the contaminant. Upon contact with organic contamination the chemical oxidants will convert them to carbon dioxide, and water in the case of hydrocarbons.

Injection success is a function of pressure and time and time often constitutes difficulty. Traditional injection is laborious, difficult and often the difficulty leads to injection problems like short circuiting to the surface (day lighting) or lack of confidence in injectate placement, which are addressed by the present invention,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome these disadvantages, an innovative venturi system has been designed to introduce oxidizing chemicals. The venturi principle also uses much less power than injection pumps (peristaltic, diaphragm, screw, piston, plunger, or centrifugal pumps), and much less power than compressors, blowers or positive displacement pumps for gas injection. The valves and setup provide sufficient control to utilize the jet pump set up. The Automated Remedial Low Power Injection System utilizes delivered water pressure to inject various reagents (oxidants, catalysts, reduction agents, augmentations, nutrients, binders, surfactants, buffers, pH modifiers, strippers) info the ground in a controlled manner with little power consumption. Due to the automation, this is completed with little effort, and due to the control system it is done with a power scaie of 0.0042 Kvvhr. The system uses a venturi pump to mix remediation materials, such as oxidizing chemicals or bio!ogical remediation organisms, in some cases, the oxidizing chemicals create disso!ved oxygen using 35% H2O2. When combined in water and added to the soli matrix, the released oxygen elevates dissolved oxygen to support biological reductive organisms. This feature allows for an effective use of peroxide and eliminates difficulty and pressure problems associated with conventional peroxide applications .

The delayed calorie release allows the reagents to be applied at very low pressure. The goal is to elevate groundwater to cover the vadose zone and use head pressure to naturally migrate reagent through groundwater void space, ft is important to realize that the successful delivery of the chemical oxidants to the impacted groundwater is the primary factor that influences overall performance.

The system is comprised of a venturi pump in fluid communication with at least one remediation system storage container, and a controller. The venturi pump allows liquids or gases to be pumped into the ground, thereby reducing the number of devices needed to one device, for any type of injectate. Advantageously, the venturi pump can be used to mix liquids and gases, liquids and solids, liquids and liquids, and liquids and bio!ogica!s, i.e. the liquid carrier can be mixed with the injectate. In such instances, the injectate is added using an injection port disposed in the venturi tubing. For exampie, to inject air the venturi tubing narrows thereby speeding up the flow of the liquid carrier, followed by an increase in the pipe diameter to decrease the venturi speed. The injection port is disposed in the narrowed tubing, allowing the gas to be sucked in through the injection port due to differential pressure, and forming a mixture of liquid carrier and gas at the increased diameter piping. The system alternatively uses multiple jet pumps to increase the number of components in the mixture. Where multiple jet pumps are used, the pumps are operated in series or paralef.

The injection port or ports are optionally valves. Exemplary valves include actuated valves, butterfly valves, trunnions, ball valves, pfug valves, globe valves, solenoid valves, needle valves, check valves, gate valves, angle seat piston valves, angle valves, ceramic disc valves, piston valves, and pinch valves. Solenoids (latching) and other valves, such as ASCO MU8263A627 3/8 valve, Rain Bird K80920 Latching solenoid with standard valve body, PeterPaul Electronics inc. mode! 22P9DEL1V1 12/DC, BC valve 2106X-402LV-B373CN, !rritrol DCL latching solenoid and standard valve body, Pneumadyne S15MML-20-12-2B, Aicon 04EA003A14PCA Solenoid Valve are particularly useful. The number of valves is determined by the application. For example, from 1 to 250 may be wired to the controller and manifolded together. Valves can operate at the same time or completely independently or as little or as often as needed.

The controller is a programmable timing controller or programmable logic controller, herein a PLC, to actuate liquid valves. However, other controllers may be used, as would be apparent to one in the art, such as a basic re!ay controiier or an individual timed valve controller. The most practical and controiiable design incorporates a DC controiier capabfe of operating for several months on a 9v aikaline battery such as a Toro DDCWP-4, Rainbird TSG5, Direct Logic DL-06 by Koyo, Control Solution !nc VPN-2290, Hunter XC Hybrid model XCH60G, Automation Direct CG-OGDR-D M!CRO PLC, DATAG Df-159 PLC, Sensaphone web 360, Sensaphone SCADA 3000, Sensaphone Express Si, Remote control technology Wireless Data Controiier part #: 3104. The controller operates the injection ports, which are selected based on chemical compatibility with the reagents to be selected. In some embodiments, the injection ports use a relatively smali Jet pump that operate between 0.1 and 2 gpm. However, other pumps may be used, based on the desired applications, and as wouid be apparent to one of skill in the art. Alternatively, the injection ports utilize the venturi injection system described above. These options offer a standard injection method while consuming a negligible amount of power.

Other devices can be added as a measure of controi including pressure gauges, pressures switches or transducers, f!oat switches, rotameters, flow meters, and other meters known in the art.

Because the device uses a venturi jet pump, the device may use any fluid that possesses an environmental benefit, including air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and ozone, and liquids. The iiquidfs) and gas(es) change the subsurface environment in any way, as one or multiple components, which may be branded or unbranded reagents or chemicals, slurries or pure fluids. Useful reagents and chemicals include bioremediation reagents, in situ chemical reduction reagents, in situ flushing reagents, nanotechnology-based environmental remediation reagents, permeable reactive barriers, soil washing reagents, and solvent extraction reagents.

Exemplary bioremediaiion reagents include, microorganisms (bioaugmentation), such as Regenesis Bio-Dechlor SNOCULUM Pius {Dehalococcoides sp.}, amendments (biostimulation), CI Solutions, such as CL-Out, Munox SR, Petrox, Petrox DN, Petrox EC, JRWRemediation: Wilclear Pius®, Lactoi!® , Accelerite®, Chstorem®, Wilciear®, air, oxygen, nitrogen, organic substrates, carbon dioxide, nitrates, and sulfates. Cometaboiic aerobic and anaerobic bioremediators, such as bacteria (McCarty, (1994) An overview of anaerobic transformation of chlorinated soivents in Symposium on intrinsic bioremediation of ground water: Washington, D.C., U.S. Environmentai Protection Agency, EPA 540/R-94/515, p. 135- 142; Alvarez-Cohen & McCarty, (1991) A co-metabolic biotransformation model for halogenated compounds exhibiting product toxicity: Environmentai Science and Technology, v. 25, p. 1381-1387; Hanson & Brusseau, (1994) Biodegradation of !ow-moiecular-weight halogenated organic compounds by aerobic bacteria, in Chaundry, G.R., ed., Biological Degradation and Bioremediation of Toxic Chemicals: Portland, Ore., Dioscorides Press, p. 277-297; Bradley & ChapeJfe, {1996} Anaerobic mineralization of vinyl chloride in Fe(lil)- reducing aquifer sediments: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 23, no. Θ, p. 2084- 208δ; McCarty & Semprini, (1994) Ground-water treatment for chlorinated solvents, in Morris, R.D., and Matthew, J.E., Handbook of bioremediation: Boca Raton, FSa., Lewis Publishers, p. 87-116; Wilson & Wilson {1985} Biotransformation of trichloroethytene in soil: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 49, no. 1, p. 242-243) or enzymes such as methane monooxygenase (MMO), ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), and toluene dioxygenase (Alvarez-Cohen & McCarty, (1991) A co-rnetabolic i∞trartsformation model for haiogenated compounds exhibiting product toxicity: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 25, p. 1381-1387; Henry & Grbie-Gaiic, (1994) Biodegradation of trichloroethytene in methanotrophic systems and implications for process applications, in Chaundry, G.R., ed., Biological Degradation and Bioremediation of Toxic Chemicals: Portland, Ore., Dioscorides Press, p. 314-344; Arciero, et ai., (1989) Degradation of trichloroethy!ene by the ammonia- oxidzing bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, v. 159, no. 2, p. 640-643; Nelson, et a!., (1988) Trichloroethytene metabolism by microorganisms that degrade aromatic compounds: Applied and Environmental MicrobtoSogy, v. 54, no. 2. p. 604-606: Hopkins, et at, (1993) Microcosm and in situ field studies of enhanced iaotransformatiori of trichioroethyiene by phenoi-utilizing rracroorganisms: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 59, p. 2277-2285). Additionally, other electron donors/acceptors, nutrients, sulfate reducing conditions, nitrate reducing conditions, and other compounds, such as Oxygen Release Compound. Advanced (ORC Advanced®), ORC Advanced® Pellets, Cata!ina Bio Solutions {Cool-Ox®}, soil bean oil, vegtible oi!, olive oil, Micro-blaze®, ETech: Carbstrat®, Nitnchior®, oxidized materials, fermentation, methanogenesis, and reductive dechlorination are useful. An exemplary organic substrate is ETEC: Carbstrate™ Electron Donor Substrate. Examples of other electron donors/acceptors, include 3-D MicroemuSsion®, 3-D Microemuision Factory Emulsified, Hydrogen Release Compound {HRC®}, Hydrogen Release Compound [extended release formula] (HRC-X®}, and Hydrogen Release Compound Prime.

Useful in situ chemical reduction and in situ flushing remediators include zero valent iron (ZVI), ferrous iron, sodium dithionite, sulfide salts {calcium poiysulfide), hydrogen sulfide, EHC® ISCR Reagent and surfactant in situ chemical oxidation. Useful surfactants include ETech: Petrosolv®, sodium stearate, sodium lauroyf sarcosinate, perfiuorononanoate, perfiuorooctanoate, octenidine dihydrochloride, cetyt trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), cety! trimethy!ammonium chloride, (CTAC) cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), benzaikonium chloride (BAC), benzethonium chloride (BZT), 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1 ,3-dioxane, cftmethyidiociadecyiammonium chloride, ceJrimonium bromide, dioctadecyldimethyiammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene glycol alkyi ethers, such as octaethySene glycol monododecyl ether and peniaethy!ene glycol monododecyl ether, polyoxypropyfene glycol aikyS ethers, glycoside alky! ethers, such as decy! glucoside, faury! glycoside, and octy! glucoside, polyoxyethyiene glycol octyfpheno! ethers, such as Triton X- 100, poiyoxyethy!ene glycol alkylphenol ethers, such as nonoxyno!-9, glycero! alkyl esters such as glyceryl laurat, polyoxyethyiene giycof sorbitan alkyl esters such as poSysorfaate, and dodecy!dimethylamine oxide, Ecovac; Surfac, EFR®, SSCO-EFR®, and CQSOLV®. Other useful reagents include hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, sodium percarbonate, such as Regenesis: RegenOx, catalyzed hydrogen peroxide, Fenton's reagent, Fentori's-iike reagent (chelated iron), modified Fenton's reagent, potassium permanganate, such as RemOx S® {Carus Cap., St, Peru, iL), sodium permanganate such as GeoCfeanse, RemOx UM> {Carus Corp., St, Peru, IL), Cap 18®® {Carus Corp., St, Peru, iL), CAP 18 ME® ® (Carus Corp., Si Peru, IL), and PermOx Plus® {FMC Corp., Phi!adephia, PA), sodium persuifate, such as Regenesis, PersuSfOx®, PersuffOx® SP, PerOxy Chem, and Klosur®, ozone, such as C-Sparge, and GWS: fvlaxQx.

Nanotechnology: Applications for Environmental Remediation include nanosca!e zero-valent iron (nZVI), titanium dioxide (TiCfe), zinc oxide (ZnO), cerium oxide (CeOz), iron oxide (FeaO^, self-assembled mono!ayers on rrtesoporous supports (SAMMSTM), ferritin, dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, metafloporphyrinogens, and sweliabSe organically modified silica (SOMS). Permeable Reactive Barriers include zero-vaient iron (ZVI), biosparging, slow release oxygen compound, mulch and other vegetative materials, apatite, zeolite, slag, organophiiic clay, solid carbon sources, and ZV!-carbon combinations.

Examples of sol! washing reagents include leaching agent, surfactant, such as those described above, and chelating agent. Examples of so!vent extraction reagents include acid extraction, such as hydrochloric acid using Rinsate, sodium hydroxide, lime, and floccu!ent, organic solvents, and carbon dioxide.

Also the carrier liquid is not limited to water to provide fluid motive force. The device is also designed to inject fluids as subpart to the final mixture (injectate) to provide an environmental benefit. For example, the carrier liquid or subpart of injectate is optionally recycled liquid or contaminated groundwater.

The injection device serves many remedia! environments, including any type of well (whether vertical, angled or horizontal} of any construction, open hole, trench, excavation, or other environmental remedial setup including ex situ treatments via injection or application via the device. This provides an improvement over former existing technologies for both lower power and versatility in reagent selection.

Lastly, the use of muitip!e jet pumps can similarly increase the number of components in the mixture by operation in series or parallel. Multiple jet pumps do not consume additional power and adds to the capabilities and versatility of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the venturi pump and reagent connections. FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the venturi pump.

FIG. 3 is a schematic lustration of a second embodiment of the venturi pump and reagent connections along with an aeration pipe.

FIG. 4 is a schematic iliustraiion of the venturi pump and reagent connections along v.1th an aeration pipe, showing liquid fiow through the second embodiment. FiG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of the venturi pump attached to the injection system, including the venturi pump and injection ports.

FIG. 6 is an eniarged schematic illustration of the injection system, showing liquid flow through the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the injection system, including optional electrical communication fines from a controller.

FiG. 8 is an image showing the injection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A device for introducing components to remediate environmentai contaminants, and a method of remediating such environmental contaminants is provided. The system and method re!y on a Venturi pump to efficiently provide remediation materials to an environmental substrate which has been deemed contaminated.

As used herein, "biological materials", means organisms usefui for degrading, metabolizing, or otherwise remediating an environmental contaminant. "Nutrients" are chemicals and/or other media used to promote the growth and/or sustaining of the "biological materials^*. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include pfurai referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a biological material" includes a mixture of two or more materials and the like. As used herein, "about" means approximately and is understood to refer to a numerical va!ue or range of ±15% of the numerical. Moreover, a!! numerical ranges herein should be understood to include ali integer, whole or fractions, within the range.

As used herein "substantially" means almost wholly within the specified characteristics. Where the term is used to designate a purity amount, substantially pure means at least 90% pure, more preferably more than 95% pure, and most preferably more than 99.9% pure.

As used heresn "venturi pump" means a device which relies on the Venturi effect, i.e. an increase in fiuid flow and concurrent reduction in fiuid pressure due to a reduction in the cross section of the system containing the fiuid.

As used herein "substrate" means a material containing an environmentai contaminant. Examples of substrates include soil, clay, and water sources, such as ponds and lakes.

As used herein "oxidizing chernicai" means a chemical that possesses the capacity to undergo a reaction in which electrons are obtained from another materia! identified as an environmental contaminant.

As used herein "reducing chemical" means a chernicai that possesses the capacity to undergo a reaction in which electrons are lost to another material identified as an environmental contaminant.

As used herein "binding chemical" refers to a chemical that has the ability to interact with another chemical, thereby forming a complex with the chemical.

As used herein "port" refers to an opening that Its onto a tube.

As used herein "electrical pump" refers to a device that uptakes a fluid and discharges the fluid at a different flow velocity, and which operates using based on electrical inputs.

Example 1

The injection system, seen in F!G. 1, is composed of input fluid tube 2, venturi pump 5 (Mazzie Eductor model 283, Mazzei Injector Company, LLC, Bakersileld, CA), and remediation solution output tube 20. Venturi pump 5 is comprised of entry nozzle 7 having a first circumference Ci which is substantially similar to the circumference of input iiquid tube 2, and narrows to a second circumference C2, thereby forming mixer 8. Second circumference C2 expands at diffuser 9, and ends at exit nozzle 10, as seen in FIG. 2. Remediation reagents are stored in one or more storage containers, such as storage containers 14a, 14b, and 14c. Remediation reagent input lines join the storage container to mixer 8, thereby providing fiuid communication between the storage container and the mixer of venturi pump 5. As seen in FiG. 1 , first remediation reagent input sine 12a connects first storage container 14a to mixer 8 second remediation reagent input iine 12b connects second storage container 14b to mixer 8. and third remediation reagent input line 12c connects third storage container 14c to mixer 8. Optionally, remediation fiuid vafve 13 controls the input of a remediation reagent into mixer 8.

!n the provided example, first carrier fiuid flow Fi enters entry nozzie 7, and becomes increasingly constricted thereby increasing the velocity of the fiuid to second carrier fiuid flow Fi. The increase in velocity results in a vacuum in mixer 8, allowing the remediation reagent or reagents to be uptaken with little or no additional motive force, i.e. a pump is not required though a pump may be used if desired, shown as fiow F½ through FM. Optionally, a vafve controls uptake of the remediation reagent into mixer 8. in some variations, one of the remediation reagent input lines provides air intake into mixer 8, as seen in FIG. 3, thereby aerating the remediation solution containing the carrier ffuid and any remediation reagents. The air intake is optionally air input Sine 15, which can include one-way valve 16. As seen with the reagents, the flow of carrier fiuid, Fi, results in a vacuum, and the vacuum draws ambient air through one-way valve 16 and into the carrier fluid via flow Fs, as seen in F!G. 4. The reagents and air are mixed together in mixer 8 due to the fiow of fiuid through the venturi pipe.

After the carrier fluid mixes with the remediation reagents in mixer 8, the fluid flows through diffuser 9, where the carrier fluid velocity drops down to third carrier fluid flow F;, as the circumference expands to circumference Ci. Carrier fiuid then exits venturi pump 5 via exit nozzle 10 into remediation solution output tube 20, whereby the remediation solution is carried to an in situ remediation injection site.

Example 2 Injection system 1 , seen in FiG. 5, is composed of venturi pump 5 {Mazzie Eductor model 283, Mazzei injector Company, LLC, Bakersfie!d, CA), connected to carrier liquid input 21 and injection pump 26. Carrier liquid permits transfer of remediation reagents to the in situ remediation injection site, and may be water. Carrier liquid input 21 includes master input vaive 23, controlling the input of carrier liquid into venturi pump 5, in some embodiments. Venturi input line 21 a is in fluid communication with input fluid tube 2.

Remediation reagent is transported from reagent storage containers {not shown) via storage port 22 through reagent transport tubing 12 and to injection port 25, which is in fluid communication with mixer 8 Injection pump 26 is in fluid communication with remediation solution output tube 20, allowing controi over flow of the remediation solution. In some embodiments, Injection pump 26 provides the remediation solution to manifold 29, where a bank of valves 28, such as latching solenoids or non-latching AC solenoids, are used to controi flow of reagent-mix to multiple injection locations. Remediation output fine 40 connects injection system 1 to each individual injection location.

Carrier fluid flow Fie shown in FIG. 6 enters the injection system via carrier liquid input 21 and flows into venturi input line 21a and through master input valve 23, such that the carrier fluid is delivered at a selected pressure and thereby provides fluid motive force through the jet pump that educts a reagent into the water stream. Carrier fluid flow Fie enters input fluid tube 2 and venturi pump 5. Reagent concurrently flows from a reagent storage container through reagent transport tubing 12 and to injection port 12, which is connected to venturi pump 5, shown as flow F12 in FiG. 6. The reagent mixes with carrier fluid in mixer 8 through the venturi effect, forming remediation solution. The resulting remediation solution is transferred through injection pump 26 for transfer to the field treatment injection well via remediation output line 40 as solution flow F14.

Where more than one reagent are used, multiple injection ports may be provided, as illustrated in example 1 , or the reagents may be combined prior to entering storage port 22.

In the example provided, a bank of valves 28, such as latching solenoids or non-latching AC solenoids, are used to controi flow of reagent-mix to multiple injection locations. The valves join at manifold 29, which is connected to the injection pump, thereby allowing the remediation solution multiple exit locations from the device at remediation output line 40. The bank of valves operate in a determined sequence, such as a cyclic sequence, to allowing injection of reagent-mix to the various field treatment injection wells.

Controller 50, seen in F!G. 7, is electronically connected to master input valve 23 by electrical input valve communication 51, and at least one valve 28 by electrical output valve communication 52. In some embodiments, the master valve 23 and valve 28 can be replaced with a master relay and external pump with variable flow control (variable frequency drive (ac), or variable voltage control (dc)} which provides the same function. For systems controlled remotely, a transceiver is electronically connected to the controller, which adjusts the voltage provided to the pumps, thereby controlling the flow rates through the device. The flow rates are defined by as little (0.1 gpm) or as much (2500 gpm) flow, depending on the size of the venturi pump. In some embodiments, controller 50 is also connected to injection pump 26, which operates between 0.1 and 2 gpm. Carrier liquid input 21 optionally spiffs into venturi input line 21a and deactivation Sine 21b, seen in F!G. 7. Deactivation line 21b can include carrier liquid pressure switch 27 (Ashcroft Inc., Stratford, CT) and flow switch 24, which are designed to deactivate system if carrier liquid flow is blocked. Deactivation line 21b is in fluid communication with remediation solution output tube 20, providing a bypass of venturi pump 5 and the remediation reagents. Pressure switch 27 and a flow switch 24 are optionally electronically connected to controller 50 via deactivation communication 54.

Remediation output Sine 40 connects to at least one field treatment injection well in the soii, thereby providing the oxidizing chemicals to the soil or environmental contaminant. Optionally, pressure gauges may be included at certain locations along the system to provide user feedback on the operation of the system, as seen in FiG. 8.

The disclosures of all publications cited above are expressly incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety, to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover ail of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and al! statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fail there between.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of remediating an environmental contaminant, comprising: providing a device for applying a remediator, wherein the device further comprises;

a liquid carrier source;

a venturi pump in liquid communication with the liquid carrier source;

at least one remediation reagent storage in fluid with the mixer stage of the venturi pump;

an output for the venturi pump;

wherein the output is in fluid communication with a substrate to be remediated;

flowing the liquid carrier through the device; combining the remediator with the carrier in the device; flowing the carrier and remediator to the substrate to be remediated; and permitting the carrier and remediator to degrade, dispose of, or bind the environmentai contaminant.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier liquid is water.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising injecting the carrier and remediator into the substrate.

The method of claim 1 , wherein the remediator is air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon 4.

dioxide, ozone, at least one oxidizing chemical, reducing chemicals, binding chemicals, biological materials, nutrients, or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizing chemical is hydrogen peroxide and hydroxy! free radicals.

6. A device for applying an environmental contaminant remediator, comprising:

a liquid carrier source;

a remediator input iine having an input and an output, where the input Sine is in !iquid communication with the liquid carrier source;

a ventun pump disposed on the output of the input Sine, wherein the venturi pump has an input, and exit and a mixer stage; at Seasi one remediation reagent storage in fluid with the mixer stage of the venturi pump: and

a remediator output line disposed on the exit of the venturi pump.

7. The device of ciaim 6, wherein the injection port is an actuated valve, a butterfly valve, a trunnion, a bail valve, a piug valve, a g!obe va!ve, a soienoid valve, a needle vafve, a check valve, a gate valve, an angle seat piston vaive, an angle valve, a ceramic disc valve, a piston valve, or a pinch valve.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the injection port is an AC soienoid valve or an actuated vaive.

9. The device of ciaim 6, further comprising a controller in electrical communication with at least one vaive, wherein the at least one vaive is disposed on the remediator input line, between the remediation reagent storage and the mixer stage of the venturi pump, on the output for the venturi pump, on the remediator output line, or a combination thereof.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controlier is a programmabie timing controlier or programmable logic controller.

11. The device of ciaim 9, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with an electrical pump, wherein the eiectricai pump is disclosed on the output line or on the exit of the venturi pump.

12. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one remediation reagent storage is a plurality of remediation reagent storage devices.

13. The device of ciaim 12, wherein the plurality of remediation reagent storage devices further comprise

a storage container having at least a port; and

a remediation injection line having an input and an output, wherein the input is disposed on the port of the storage container and the output is disposed on a valve or one the venturi pump.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising an electrical pump in fiuid communication with a reagent in the remediation reagent storage device.

15. The device of ciaim 14, wherein the eiectricai pump is in eiectricai communication with a controlier.

16. The device of ciaim 6, further comprising an aeration device, wherein the aeration device further comprises:

an aeration tube having an input and an output, wherein the input is in fiuid communication with ambient air; and a one-way valve disposed on the output of the aeration tube, and where the one way valve is in fluid communication with the mixer stage of the veniuri pump.

17. The device of claim 6, further comprising a deactivation line having an input and an output, wherein the deactivation line input is disposed on the remediaior input line and the deactivation fine output is disposed on the remediator output Sine.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising at least one valve disposed on the deactivation line.

19. The device of dasm 8, further comprising a manifold disposed on the remediaior output Sine, and wherein at ieast one injection Sine is disposed on the manifoid.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising at Ieast one valve disposed on the manifoid or on the at least one injection line, and adapted to controi fluid flow from the manifold through the at ieast one injection line.