Matt S Spurlin

US Patent:

20120261125, Oct 18, 2012

Filed:

Apr 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/085434

Inventors:

Craig Eric Divine - Littleton CO, US
Gaston Leone - Highlands Ranch CO, US
Jeff Gillow - Highlands Ranch CO, US
Tracy Roth - Manchester CT, US
Harry Brenton - Phoenix AZ, US
Matt Spurlin - Boulder CO, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/12

US Classification:

166279, 166 52

Abstract:

The application relates to a sustainable and green remedial approach for in situ remediation. The system and method use directionally drilled horizontal wells filled with granular reactive media generally installed in the direction of groundwater flow for groundwater remediation. “Flow-focusing” behavior is leveraged to capture and passively treat proportionally large volumes of groundwater in situ. The system and method perform well in low hydraulic conductivity environments where the success of other in situ remediation methods is controlled by aquifer injectability. Reactive media are selected according to the contaminants to be treated and site characteristics. Energy conservation and other considerations result in considerable cost savings compared to current in situ remediation systems. Also disclosed is a source area bypass system comprising one or more horizontal wells, constructed in a manner to allow unimpacted or cleaner groundwater to bypass a nonaqueous phase liquid zone or high-concentration source area of contamination and discharge downgradient. Reactive media may or may not be used in a source area bypass system. In some configurations, groundwater pumps may be installed to enhance performance. Core elements of green remediation according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency are achieved.