Encapsulated reactant and process

Abstract

An encapsulated reactant(s) having at least one encapsulant and at least one reactant. An outermost encapsulant is substantially nonreacting, impermeable and nondissolving with water. The reactant(s) contribute to at least one reaction with contaminants in environmental media rendering the environmental media less harmless. Processes for using the encapsulated reactant in environmental media is also hereby claimed.

1 . An encapsulated reactant for insertion into a subterranean zone of contamination which is contaminated by a targeted contaminant, the encapsulated reactant comprising:
 a plurality of reactant particles; and   a single encapsulant encapsulating each of the reactant particles, wherein the mass of said single encapsulant ranges from about 10% to about 80% of the total mass of the encapsulated reactant, wherein the encapsulated reactant has an outer dimension greater than one inch; and   wherein the encapsulated reactant is of sufficient size and mass such that it does not flow through the subterranean zone of contamination when inserted therein.   
     
     
         2 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 1 , wherein said single encapsulant comprises a substantially oleophilic compound. 
     
     
         3 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 2 , wherein said substantially oleophilic compound comprises a constituent selected from the group consisting of cellulose, wax, polylactic acid, and combinations and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 1 , wherein the single encapsulant is adapted to be capable of being degraded, weakened, or permeated by said targeted contaminant. 
     
     
         5 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 1 , wherein said single encapsulant comprises a component adapted to provide for accelerated degradation of said single encapsulant upon contact with said targeted compound. 
     
     
         6 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of reactant particles comprises an oxidant. 
     
     
         7 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 6 , wherein said oxidant comprises a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of persulfate, permanganate, and peroxygen. 
     
     
         8 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 7 , wherein said oxidant is potassium permanganate. 
     
     
         9 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 1 , wherein said reactant is reactive with said targeted contaminant such that it degrades said target contaminant. 
     
     
         10 . The encapsulated reactant of  claim 1 , wherein said size and mass of said encapsulated reactant are adapted to allow said encapsulated reactant to float, suspend or sink within a subsurface of the earth. 
     
     
         11 . A process of making a solid encapsulated reactant suitable for placement in a subterranean zone of contamination which is contaminated by a target encapsulant, the process comprising:
 preparing an encapsulant by melting a mass of the encapsulant to convert the encapsulant to a non-solid state thereby making a prepared encapsultant;   combining a plurality of reactant particles with the prepared encapsulant thereby melt coating the plurality of reactant particles with the prepared encapsulant thereby making an encapsulated reactant; and   cooling the encapsulated reactant thus forming the solid encapsulated reactant, wherein the solid encapsulated has an outer dimension of at least one inch, further wherein the solid encapsulated reactant is of sufficient size and mass such that it does not flow through the subterranean zone of contamination.   
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said prepared encapsulant comprises a substantially oleophilic compound. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein said substantially oleophilic compound comprises a constituent selected from the group consisting of cellulose, wax, polylactic acid, and combinations and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the prepared encapsulant is adapted to be capable of being degraded, weakened, or permeated by said targeted contaminant. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said prepared encapsulant comprises a component adapted to provide for accelerated degradation of said single encapsulant upon contact with said targeted compound. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein each of said plurality of reactant particles comprises an oxidant. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said oxidant comprises a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of persulfate, permanganate, and peroxygen. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said oxidant is potassium permanganate. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said reactant is reactive with said targeted contaminant such that it degrades said target contaminant. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said size and mass of said encapsulated reactant are adapted to allow said encapsulated reactant to float, suspend or sink within a subsurface of the earth.