US5789662A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining spatial distribution of fluids migrating through porous media under vacuum-induced pressure differential
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-06-19
•
Granted: 1998-08-04
•
Expires: 2016-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided which determine the spatial distribution of fluids in a porous media contained in a three-dimensional cell as such fluids migrate through porous media in response to a vacuum-induced pressure differential. Specifically, the method comprises: (a) providing a three-dimensional cell including a front side and a back side, each of which are at least semi-transparent; (b) installing at least two slotted casing wells at opposing ends of the cell, at least one first slotted casing well capable of being de-pressurized and at least one second slotted casing well capable of allowing air entry into the cell; (c) filling the cell with a porous media; (d) introducing at least one fluid into the filled cell and allowing the fluid to infiltrate the porous media; (e) sealing the infiltrated, filled cell; (f) de-pressurizing the first slotted casing, thereby creating a negative pressure gradient across the infiltrated, filled cell; and (g) measuring the saturation of the fluid in the porous media at each location of interest across the plane of the front side of the three-dimensional cell. A method of use is also provided for employing the present apparatus in a pilot-scale experiment for the feasibility of recovering non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) by a vacuum-based technique, such as soil vapor extraction (SVE) and vacuum-enhanced recovery (VER), depending upon the volatility of NAPL of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 Prabhu Dayal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01N15/082; G01N15/0826
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for determining the spatial distribution of fluids in a porous media contained in a three-dimensional cell as said fluids migrate through said porous media in response to a vacuum-induced pressure differential, comprising the steps of, (a) providing a three-dimensional cell having a front side and a back side, each of which are at least semi-transparent and vertically disposed; (b) installing at least two slotted casing wells at opposing ends of said cell, at least one first slotted casing well capable of being de-pressurized and at least one second slotted casing well capable of allowing air entry into said cell; (c) filling said cell with a porous media; (d) introducing at least one fluid into said filled cell and allowing said fluid to infiltrate said porous media; (e) sealing said infiltrated, filled cell; (f) de-pressurizing said at least one first slotted casing, thereby creating a negative pressure gradient across said infiltrated, filled cell; (g) collimating a beam of gamma or X-ray radiation on said front side of said infiltrated, filled cell at each location of interest across the plane of said front side of said three-dimensional cell; and (h) measuring the amount of said radiation exiting said back side of said infiltrated, filled cell at each said location of interest and therefrom determining the saturation of said at least one fluid in said porous media at each location of interest across the plane of said front side of said three-dimensional cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for determining the spatial distribution of fluids in a porous media contained in a three-dimensional cell as said fluids migrate through said porous media in response to a vacuum-induced pressure differential, comprising the steps of, (a) providing a three-dimensional cell having a front side and a back side, each of which are at least semi-transparent and vertically disposed; (b) installing at least two slotted casing wells at opposing ends of said cell, at least one first slotted casing well capable of being de-pressurized and at least one second slotted casing well capable of allowing air entry into said cell; (c) filling said cell with a porous media; (d) introducing at least one fluid into said filled cell and allowing said fluid to infiltrate said porous media; (e) sealing said infiltrated, filled cell; (f) de-pressurizing said at least one first slotted casing, thereby creating a negative pressure gradient across said infiltrated, filled cell; (g) collimating a beam of gamma or X-ray radiation on said front side of said infiltrated, filled cell at each location of interest across the plane of said front side of said three-dimensional cell; and (h) measuring the amount of said radiation exiting said back side of said infiltrated, filled cell at each said location of interest and therefrom determining the saturation of said at least one fluid in said porous media at each location of interest across the plane of said front side of said three-dimensional cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said front side and said back side of said three-dimensional cell comprise semi-transparent plastic that is resistant to attack by said at least one fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said three-dimensional cell further comprises a metal frame to prevent said front and back sides from bulging under pressure from said porous media.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said porous media comprises naturally-occurring earth materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said naturally-occurring earth material is at least one soil selected from the group consisting of clay, sand, and silt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one fluid comprises air, water, and a non-aqueous phase liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said radiation in step (g) is provided using a system selected from the group consisting of a dual-energy gamma attenuation system and an X-ray fluorescence system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said dual-energy gamma attenuation system employs 137 Cs and 241 Am.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said desired locations for measuring said fluid saturations comprise a matrix of points across said plane of said front side of said three-dimensional cell.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial distribution of fluid in porous media in response to vacuum-induced pressure differential, including: (a) a three-dimensional cell having a front side and a back side, each of which are at least semi-transparent and venially disposed said three-dimensional cell comprising a material which defines an opening for introduction of fluid thereinto, said three-dimensional cell capable of being sealed; (b) at least two slotted casing wells at opposing ends of said cell, at least one first slotted casing well capable of being de-pressurized and at least one second slotted casing well capable of allowing air entry into said cell; (c) at least one porous media contained within said three-dimensional cell; (d) a means for collimating a beam of gamma or X-ray radiation on said front side of said cell at each location of interest across the plane of said front side of said cell; and (e) a means for measuring the amount of said radiation exiting said back side of said cell at each said location of interest, wherefrom the fluid saturations may be determined in said porous media of at least one fluid introduced into said three-dimensional cell by means of said opening in said three-dimensional cell.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial distribution of fluid in porous media in response to vacuum-induced pressure differential, including: (a) a three-dimensional cell having a front side and a back side, each of which are at least semi-transparent and venially disposed said three-dimensional cell comprising a material which defines an opening for introduction of fluid thereinto, said three-dimensional cell capable of being sealed; (b) at least two slotted casing wells at opposing ends of said cell, at least one first slotted casing well capable of being de-pressurized and at least one second slotted casing well capable of allowing air entry into said cell; (c) at least one porous media contained within said three-dimensional cell; (d) a means for collimating a beam of gamma or X-ray radiation on said front side of said cell at each location of interest across the plane of said front side of said cell; and (e) a means for measuring the amount of said radiation exiting said back side of said cell at each said location of interest, wherefrom the fluid saturations may be determined in said porous media of at least one fluid introduced into said three-dimensional cell by means of said opening in said three-dimensional cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said front side and said back side of said three-dimensional cell comprise semi-transparent plastic that is resistant to attack by said at least one fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said apparatus further comprises a means for measuring the fluid recovery rate of said at least one fluid as recovered from said at least one first slotted casing well.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said three-dimensional cell further comprises a metal frame to prevent said front and back sides from bulging under pressure from said porous media.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said porous media comprises naturally-occurring earth materials.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said naturally-occurring earth material is at least one soil selected from the group consisting of clay, sand, and silt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said beam of radiation is provided by a source selected from the group consisting of a dual-energy gamma attenuation system and an X-ray fluorescence system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said dual-energy gamma attenuation system employs 137 Cs and 241 Am.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |