Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a process for removing contaminants from a contaminated area of the ground having a vadose zone and a water table, which comprises providing a borehole in the contaminated area to a depth below the water table; placing in the borehole to a depth below the water table a first perforated riser pipe; placing inside the first perforated riser pipe a second perforated riser pipe; placing inside the second perforated riser pipe a first vacuum extraction pipe with a bottom opening situated within the second perforated riser pipe; placing a second vacuum extraction pipe within the first perforated riser pipe but without the second perforated riser pipe; while introducing a gas into the second perforated riser pipe, applying a vacuum to the first vacuum extraction pipe and applying a vacuum to the second vacuum extraction pipe to draw gases and liquid from the soil into the first vacuum extraction pipe and the second vacuum extraction pipe and transport both gases and liquid to the surface as two-phase common streams through the first vacuum extraction pipe and the second vacuum extraction pipe; forming from the common streams at least one primarily liquid stream and at least one primarily gaseous stream; and separately treating the separated liquid and gas streams. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the process.

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First Claim