Method and apparatus for extracting hydrophobic napl

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL), including the use of a prior art hydrophobic adsorption system including a continuous loop of adsorptive material, with a weighted pulley on the free end of the loop to allow for the loop to be placed within a well being deeper than it is wide.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids material within a well being deeper than it is wide, said well containing water and a layer of non-aqueous phase liquids thereon, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) a continuous loop absorption apparatus itself including a continuous loop of adsorptive material having a dimension longer in its vertical direction than in its horizontal direction, said continuous loop absorption apparatus positioned relative to said well such that said continuous loop of adsorptive material extends through said layer of non-aqueous phase liquids; and    b) power means for powering said continuous loop apparatus such that said continuous loop of adsorptive material transfers said remediated non-aqueous phase liquids from within said well to outside of said well.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , further comprising a well liner placed within said well.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 2   , wherein said well liner placed within said well includes a plurality of passageways to allow fluid flow therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 3   , wherein said plurality of passageways to allow fluid flow therethrough are provided by a screen.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids within a well being deeper than it is wide, said well containing water and a layer of said non-aqueous phase liquids thereon, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) a continuous loop absorption apparatus itself including a continuous loop of adsorptive material;    b) a weight for maintaining said loop below said interface such that said continuous loop has a dimension longer in its vertical direction than in its horizontal direction; and    c) power means for powering said continuous loop apparatus such that said continuous loop of adsorptive material transfers remediated of said non-aqueous phase liquids from within said well to outside of said well    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 5   , further comprising a well liner placed within said well.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein said well liner placed within said well includes a plurality of passageways to allow fluid flow therethrough.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 7   , wherein said plurality of passageways to allow fluid flow therethrough are provided by a screen.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 5   , wherein said weight is a weighted pulley.  
     
     
         10 . A method for remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids within a well being deeper than it is wide, said well containing water and a layer of non-aqueous phase liquids thereon, said method comprising: 
 a) digging a well being deeper than it is wide;    b) providing a continuous loop absorption apparatus itself including a continuous loop of adsorptive material;    c) installing said continuous loop absorption apparatus at least partially within said well such that said continuous loop of adsorptive material extends through said layer of non-aqueous liquids and said continuous loop has a dimension longer in its vertical direction than in its horizontal direction; and    d) powering said continuous loop apparatus such that said continuous loop of adsorptive material moves along a continuous path and transfers said remediated non-aqueous phase liquids from within said well to outside of said well.    
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in    claim 10   , further comprising the step of placing a well liner within said well after step “a”.  
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in    claim 11   , wherein said well liner placed within said well after step “a” includes a plurality of passageways to allow fluid flow therethrough.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in    claim 12   , wherein said plurality of passageways are provided by a screen.  
     
     
         14 . A method for remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids material within a well being deeper than it is wide, said well containing water and a layer of non-aqueous phase liquids thereon, said method comprising: 
 a) digging a well being deeper than it is wide;    b) providing a continuous loop absorption apparatus itself including a continuous loop of adsorptive material and having a weight through which said continuous loop may pass;    c) installing said continuous loop absorption apparatus at least partially within said well such that said continuous loop of adsorptive material extends through said layer of non-aqueous phase liquids, said weight is at least partially submerged in said water, and said continuous loop has a dimension longer in its vertical direction than in its horizontal direction; and    d) powering said continuous loop apparatus such that said continuous loop of adsorptive material moves along a continuous path and transfers said remediated non-aqueous phase liquids from within said well to outside of said well.    
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in    claim 14   , further comprising the step of placing a well liner within said well after step “a”.  
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in    claim 15   , wherein said well liner placed within said well after step “a” includes a plurality of passageways to allow fluid flow therethrough.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in    claim 16   , wherein said plurality of passageways are provided by a screen.  
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in    claim 17   , wherein said weight is a weighted pulley.  
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in    claim 14   , further comprising the step of taking multiple readings including ground-water elevation and product thickness at certain times determining the most persistent ground-water elevation, and analyzing the original multiple readings in terms of time and