Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102022000002243 filed on February 8 , 2022 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and related method for the removal of a dense non aqueous phase fluid, with a density greater than that of water, from a body of water, in particular for groundwater remediation contaminated by nonaqueous organic phases present as separated phases .

Background

The treatment of water polluted by organic compounds and the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated aqui fers is a highly topical issue and, to date , much attention is given to this subj ect for the development of increasingly ef fective and costef ficient technologies in order to puri fy contaminated sites . Widespread use , improper disposal , and accidental spills and leaks of hydrocarbons , such as petroleum derivatives and organic solvents , have caused the formation of persistent sources of soil and aqui fer water contamination, which are dangerous due to their ef fects on the environment and human health . Depending on the density of the organic compared to water, water- immiscible liquid layers may float , known as LNAPLs ( Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids ) , or sink, known as DNAPLs ( Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids ) , in the aqui fer .

To date , several methods are known for treating contaminated water, but all of them require an assigned operator for the activities of monitoring the thickness of the DNAPL phase in the aqui fer, for positioning and activating and deactivating the pump for recovery . Known remediation systems are also characterised by a recovery of signi ficant amounts of water (up to 50% more than the recovered DNAPL phase ) with related costs for the treatment or disposal as hazardous waste . The pump drive is interrupted when the presence of water is observed in the collection tank and thus the entire pipeline rising from the aqui fer is full of water . In addition, using the known systems , the recovery of the DNAPL phase is performed with a frequency that depends on the production of the piezometric well and on its position . Under these conditions , periods of accumulation of DNAPL phase are originated within the piezometric well , slowing down the remediation procedure .

The di f ferent known systems described above do not fully meet the increasingly urgent requirements for the remediation of contaminated sites , responding to the need for fast , ef fective and low-cost interventions .

Many of the known systems have such an amount of water in the extracted fluid as to require a surface-separation posttreatment involving high water disposal/ treatment costs .

The aim of the present invention is to realise an apparatus and a process overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art , enabling the removal of a non-aqueous DNAPL phase from a body of water ef fectively, quickly and with a lower cost impact .

The invention relates to a compact apparatus for removing a DNAPL phase from a body of water that is able to pump and monitor the level of the DNAPL phase automatically by following fluctuations in order to optimise collection thereof .

Summary

The aim of the present invention is therefore an apparatus 100 for the removal of a DNAPL phase 300 from a body of water in a polluted aqui fer comprising a pumping device 110 for recovering and sending to the surface the DNAPL phase 300 , at least one first probe 120 for detecting the level of the DNAPL phase 300 , a recovery conduit 150 , connected to the outlet of the pumping device 110 , which channels the DNAPL phase 300 to the surface , a control unit 200 , positioned on the surface , which controls the power supply of the apparatus 100 , the acquisition and processing of signals from the first probe 120 , the sending of signals for starting or stopping the pumping device 110 based on the signals from the first probe 120 .

A process for the removal of a non-aqueous DNAPL phase from a contaminated body of water as described hereinafter is also an obj ect of the present invention .

Brief Description of the Drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear clear from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof , with reference to the figures of the attached drawings , wherein :

- Figure 1 is a simpli fied schematic view of the apparatus 100 , inserted into a piezometric well 10 , comprising at least a first probe 120 for detecting the level of the DNAPL phase 300 ;

- Figure 2 is a simpli fied schematic view of the apparatus 100 , inserted into a piezometric well 10 , comprising at least a first probe 120 and a second probe 130 for detecting the level of the DNAPL phase 300 ;

- Figure 3 is a simpli fied schematic view of the apparatus 100 , inserted into a piezometric well 10 , comprising conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 ;

- Figures 4a, 4b, 4c represent simpli fied views of the apparatus 100 at di f ferent level s of DNAPL phase and how this phase interacts with the conductivity probes 120 , 130 and 140 ;

- Figure 5 is a schematic view of the pumping device 110 of the apparatus 100 in case of pneumatic operation including actuating solenoid valves 181 , 182 , suction tube 112 and pneumatic line 170 with parts omitted for the sake of clarity;

- Figure 6 is a simpli fied schematic view of the installation of the apparatus 110 inside a piezometric well 10 including the control unit 200 and other accessory components ;

Description of Embodiments In the context of the present invention, a Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquid phase , present in a body of water, is defined as a phase separated from other phases with a speci fic gravity greater than that of water, so as to create a DNAPL layer lying below that of the water present in the aqui fer .

In the context of the present invention, the term "upper" is to be understood as indicating a position closer to the surface , while the term " lower" is to be understood as indicating a position closer to the bottom of the piezometric well 10 .

The present invention is applied in a context in which a contaminated body of water contains at least one non-aqueous , separated phase 300 .

With reference to Figure 1 , the obj ect of the present invention is an apparatus 100 for removing a non-aqueous DNAPL phase 300 from a body of water in a polluted aqui fer which has a pumping device 110 for sucking and sending the DNAPL phase 300 to the surface . The apparatus 100 is lowered into a pie zometric well 10 so that it is immersed in the aqui fer fluid . The apparatus 100 has a first probe 120 for detecting the level of the DNAPL phase 300 . When the probe 120 detects the presence of a DNAPL phase 300 , the corresponding signal is sent to the control unit 200 which, upon receiving the information of the presence of a DNAPL phase 300 , activates the pumping device 110 . When the probe 120 no longer detects the presence of a DNAPL phase 300 , the corresponding signal sent to control unit 200 causes pumping operations to stop . The apparatus 100 also has a conduit 150 for recovering the pumped phase 300 , connected to the outlet of the pumping device 110 , which channels the DNAPL phase 300 to the surface to be collected in an on-s ite tank . A control unit 200 , positioned on the surface and electrically connected to the apparatus 100 arranged in the piezometric well 10 , controls the power supply of the apparatus 100 , the acquisition and processing of signals from the probe 120 , the sending of signals to start or stop the pumping device 110 based on the signals from the probe 120 . The control unit 200 then selectively activates the pumping of the DNAPL phase 300 based on predetermined algorithms using information received from the probe 120 .

Referring to Figure 2 , in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 as previously described comprises a second probe 130 for high-level detection of the DNAPL phase 300 , positioned above the first probe 120 configured for detection of a high level of DNAPL phase 300 , wherein the control unit 200 manages the acquisition and processing of signals from the first probe 120 and the second probe 130 , the sending of signals for starting or stopping the pumping device 110 based on the signals from the first probe 120 and from the second probe 130 . In this configuration, the apparatus 100 is able to detect both a predefined high level and a predefined low level for DNAPL phase 300 ; the control unit 200 can thereby selectively command the start and stop of the pumping device 110 based on the fact that the level of the DNAPL phase 300 is greater than the minimum level , while also having at its disposal , by means of the combined information of the probes 120 and 130 , the data relative to the level trend of the DNAPL phase 300 in relation to the flow rate of said phase 300 withdrawn from the aqui fer . Referring to Figure 3 , in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 for the removal of a DNAPL phase 300 from a body of water in a polluted aqui fer comprises a pumping device 110 for recovering and sending to the surface the DNAPL phase ; the apparatus is lowered into a piezometric well 10 so as to be immersed in the aqui fer fluid . The apparatus 100 has a first conductivity probe 120 for the low-level detection of the DNAPL phase 300 , a second conductivity probe 130 for the high-level detection of the DNAPL phase 300 placed below the first conductivity probe 120 and a third reference conductivity probe 140 placed above the first and second conductivity probes . The probes 120 and 130 operate by discriminating between electrically conductive and non-electrically conductive fluid by setting a reference limit threshold and closing the circuit via the reference conductivity probe 140 . Both probes 120 and 130 operate together with the reference probe 140 , closing an electrical circuit i f there is an electrically conductive phase in contact with the probes 120 , 130 . The conductivity probe 140 is immersed in water ( electrically conductive phase ) . When at least one of the probes 120 , 130 is immersed in an organic, non- electrically conductive DNAPL phase , the relative electrical circuit through the probe 140 remains open, trans ferring the information to the control unit 200 . Depending on a conductive or non-conductive liquid phase is present at the first probe 120 or the second probe 130 , it is possible to know whether the level of the non-conductive liquid phase 300 has reached the minimum level corresponding to the conductivity probe 120 or the maximum level corresponding to the conductivity probe 130 . The apparatus 100 also has a conduit 150 for recovering the pumped phase 300 , connected to the outlet of the pumping device 110 , which pumps the DNAPL phase 300 to the surface to be collected in an on-site tank . A control unit 200 , positioned on the surface and electrically connected to the apparatus 100 placed in the piezometric well 10 , controls the power supply of the apparatus 100 , the acquisition and processing of signals from the conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 , the sending of signals for starting or stopping the pumping device 110 based on signals from the conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 . The control unit 200 then, by means of the information received from the conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 , selectively activates the pumping of the DNAPL phase 300 based on predetermined algorithms . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the conductivity probe 140 may be replaced by the housing of the apparatus 100 itsel f , which acts as an electrically conductive element in the presence of aqueous fluid .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention as previously described, the pumping device 110 is made using an electric pump ; the electric pump, depending on the level of the DNAPL phase 300 detected by one or more of the previously described probes , is activated by means of the control unit 200 providing for suction and removal of said DNAPL phase 300 to the surface . When the level of the DNAPL phase 300 reaches a preset minimum at the positioning of the probe configured to detect the low level , the pump is switched of f , interrupting the recovery and preventing the suction of water to the surface .

With reference to Figure 5 , in a further preferred embodiment of the invention as previously described, in alternative to using an electric pump, the pumping device 110 is made pneumatically; to this end, the pumping device 110 comprises a hollow body 111 , a first non-return valve 180 installed in the lower part of the hollow body 111 which puts in fluidic communication the hollow body 111 with the aqui fer fluid, a suction tube 112 housed in the hollow body 111 , a second nonreturn valve 190 arranged at the outlet of the suction pipe 112 fluidically connecting it with the recovery conduit 150 , a pneumatic line 170 , coming from the surface , intercepted by a first solenoid valve 181 , connected to the hollow body 111 for the selective pressurisation thereof , and a second solenoid valve 182 intercepting the recovery conduit 150 . In this configuration, the selective pneumatic pressurisation via the solenoid valve 181 of the hollow body 111 allows to push the DNAPL phase 300 contained therein to the surface . The non-return valve 190 prevents the reflux of the recovered DNAPL phase 300 present in the recovery conduit 150 from the surface to the well 10 . The function of the non-return valve 180 , on the other hand, is to allow the entry of the DNAPL phase 300 from the well 10 into the hollow body 111 when not pressurised, preventing it from escaping to the well 10 when the hollow body 111 is pressurised to push the phase 300 to the surface . The solenoid valve 182 is selectively operated via the control unit 200 to intercept the recovery conduit 150 .

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the previously described conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 comprise a central body made of an electrically conductive material , the central body being coated with an insulating material leaving uncovered an end section which is exposed to contact with aqui fer fluids . Thus , the probes 120 , 130 , 140 operate as open or closed contacts depending on whether the uncovered end section of the central body is in contact with an electrically conductive liquid or not .

The power supply of the apparatus 100 takes place by means of electric lines 160 that run from the control unit 200 down into the piezometric well 10 to connect to the apparatus 100 . The electric lines 160 also connect the conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 to the control unit 200 and also supply the electric pump in the preferred embodiment where it is present . The control unit 200 may be connected to the electric power grid or may be energised using batteries . The battery-powered solution, preferably rechargeable , allows the apparatus 100 to be even more versatile and independent of the context wherein it is used, as it does not require the presence of an external power supply grid .

In a preferred configuration of the invention, therefore , the control unit 200 comprises at least one rechargeable battery for power supply without using additional external power sources .

In a further preferred configuration of the invention, in order to increase the operating autonomy and improve availability, the control unit 200 is connected to at least one solar panel 210 configured to recharge the at least one rechargeable battery .

In a preferred configuration of the invention, the control unit 200 comprises at least one programmable timer .

A process for removing a DNAPL phase 300 from a contaminated body of water in order to minimise the recovery of polluted groundwater to be subsequently treated on the surface with an obvious increase in costs is also an obj ect of the present invention; the process relies on predetermined rationales driven by the control unit 200 which, depending on the signals coming from the conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 , selectively activates the pumping device 110 only when the level of DNAPL phase 300 is higher than a predefined minimum level. The recovery of the DNAPL phase 300 is thus minimised while keeping the pumping of polluted water to a minimum. The method object of the present invention makes it possible to selectively actuate the pumping device 110 not only by minimising the polluted water pumped to the surface, but also by rationalising the electrical consumption of the device itself, which is only activated in case the DNAPL phase 300 is above the minimum predetermined level .

An object of the present invention is therefore a process for the removal of a non-aqueous phase 300 from a body of water in a polluted aquifer comprising the steps of: a) providing a piezometric well 10 in the polluted aquifer; b) lowering the apparatus 100 into the piezometric well 10 wherein the pumping device 110 is pneumatically driven; c) detecting the presence of non-aqueous phase 300 by means of signals from the conductivity probes 120, 130, 140; d) depressurizing the hollow body 111 by opening the second solenoid valve 182 and closing the first solenoid valve 181; e) permitting, by opening the first non-return valve 180 subject to aquifer pressure, the entrance of non-aqueous phase 300 in the hollow body 111; f) pressurizing the hollow body 111 by opening the first solenoid valve 181 causing the closing of the first nonreturn valve 180 and the emptying of the hollow body 111 via the suction pipe 112 and the recovery conduit 150 by means of the pressure through the pneumatic line 170; g) cyclically repeating the steps d) to f) if the signals from the conductivity probes (120, 130, 140) confirm the presence of DNAPL phase 300; h) interrupting the pumping when the signals from the conductivity probes (120, 130, 140) confirm the reaching of a predetermined minimum level of the DNAPL phase 300, maintaining pressurized the hollow body (111) and closing the second solenoid valve ( 182 ) blocking the flow to the recovery conduit ( 150 ) .

The pumping device 110 , in the pneumatic configuration, therefore performs a cyclic evacuation of DNAPL phase 300 accumulated in the hollow body 111 ; when the hollow body 111 is depressurised by closing the pneumatic line 170 by means of the first solenoid valve 181 , the pressure of the aqui fer fluid opens the first non-return valve 180 , allowing the entry of DNAPL phase 300 . Subsequently, the pressurisation of the hollow body 111 by opening the pneumatic line 170 via the first solenoid valve 181 and the opening of the recovery conduit 150 via the second solenoid valve 182 allow the volume of DNAPL phase 300 collected in the hollow body 111 to flow to the surface . When the hollow body 111 is emptied, it is depressurised again as described above to start a new cycle of filling and discharge to the surface .

These operations of filling the hollow body 111 and subsequently evacuating the collected DNAPL phase 300 may be repeated at varying time intervals ; the complete filling of the hollow body 111 is thereby allowed depending on the density, viscosity, pressure and temperature of the phase 300 .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, therefore , in the process for removing a non-aqueous dense phase 300 from a body of water in a polluted aqui fer, the step g) of cyclically repeating steps d) to f ) is carried out at predetermined intervals set by a programmable timer inserted in the control unit ( 200 ) .

The process described thus allows to ef fectively and selectively manage the collection and evacuation of the phase 300 ; moreover, as described above , the apparatus 100 is only operating when necessary, i . e . when a predetermined minimum level of DNAPL phase 300 is present .

Referring to Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, the level 310 of the DNAPL phase 300 and how it interacts with the conductivity probes 120 , 130 , 140 for the selective activation of the pumping device 110 is schematically represented . In particular, with reference to Figure 2a, the level 310 of the DNAPL phase 300 is above the position of the f irst conductivity probe 120 and therefore above the maximum level ; in this condition the pumping device 110 is active to evacuate the DNAPL phase 300 .

With reference to Figure 2b, the level 310 of the DNAPL phase 300 is in an intermediate position with respect to the first conductivity probe 120 and the second probe 130 ; in this condition, the pumping device 110 is active to evacuate the DNAPL phase 300 and, by means of the control unit 200 , information is acquired that the level of the DNAPL phase 300 is falling with respect to the configuration represented in Figure 2a . Finally, with reference to Figure 2c, the level 310 of the DNAPL phase 300 is lower than the first conductivity probe 120 and therefore lower than the predetermined minimum level ; in this condition, the pumping device 110 is stopped, advantageously preventing polluted aquifer water from being sucked and sent to the surface .

The apparatus 100 for the removal of a DNAPL phase 300 in a contaminated body of water, which is the obj ect of the present invention as thus conceived, is susceptible in each case to numerous modi fications and variants , all of which fall within the same inventive concept ; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements . In particular, the probes 120 , 130 140 , intended to detect the level of non-aqueous infranatant phase 300 , may be of various shapes and types as available on the market . The level probes applicable to the present invention are all those capable of distinguishing water from an organic phase . For exemplary and non-limiting purposes , the probes 120 , 130 , 140 may be conductivity, radio frequency, radar or other equivalent probes known on the market . The materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions , may in practice be of any type according to the technical requirements . The protective scope of the invention is therefore defined by the appended claims .