Claims
- 1. An apparatus for constructing an underground containment barrier for containing an in-situ portion of earth, said apparatus comprising:
- excavating means for simultaneously (i) excavating earthen material from beside the in-situ portion of earth without removing said in-situ portion and thereby forming an open side trench defined by opposing earthen sidewalls, and (ii) excavating earthen material from beneath said in-situ portion of earth without removing said in-situ portion and thereby forming a generally horizontal underground trench beneath said in-situ portion defined by opposing earthen sidewalls; and
- barrier-forming means attached to the excavating means for forming a side barrier within the open trench and a generally horizontal, multi-layer barrier within the generally horizontal trench, said multi-layer barrier having at least a first and a second layer.
- 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the excavating means further comprises means for forming the side trench such that said side trench is disposed in communication with the horizontal trench.
- 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:
- the excavating means further comprises means for forming a plurality of side trenches adjacent the in-situ portion of earth such that said side trenches are disposed in communication with the horizontal trench;
- the barrier-forming means further comprises means for forming side barriers within the plurality of side trenches and interconnecting the side barriers with the horizontal, multi-layer barrier such that said horizontal and side barriers cooperatively form a one-piece unitary barrier enclosure.
- 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein:
- the excavating means further comprises means for forming interconnected side trenches that continuously surround the in-situ portion of earth;
- the barrier-forming means further comprises means for forming interconnected side barriers within the interconnected side trenches such that said side barriers continuously surround the in-situ portion of earth and form an upper perimeter.
- 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier-forming means further comprises means for forming at least a portion of the second layer simultaneously with forming at least a portion of the first layer.
- 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the barrier-forming means further comprises:
- means for injecting a first material for forming the first layer into the horizontal trench;
- means for placing an intermediate shield over the material for the first layer;
- means for injecting a second material for forming the second layer onto the intermediate shield; and
- means for removing the intermediate shield from between the first and second material.
- 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein (i) the intermediate shield is sufficiently long in a lateral dimension, and (ii) the means for removing comprises means for advancing the intermediate shield in a lateral direction at a sufficiently slow rate, such that the first and second layers are cured to a degree sufficient to prevent intermixing therebetween when the intermediate shield is moved to permit contact between said first and second layers.
- 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein (i) the intermediate shield is sufficiently short in a lateral dimension, and (ii) the means for removing comprises means for advancing the intermediate shield in a lateral direction at a sufficiently fast rate, such that the s first and second layers remain uncured to a degree sufficient to permit a chemical reaction at an interface between those layers.
- 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the chemical reaction produces a chemical bond at the interface.
- 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the chemical reaction produces a chemically different material than the material used in the first and second layers.
- 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier-forming means further comprises means for forming a multi-layer horizontal barrier comprising at least first, second and third layers within the generally horizontal trench.
- 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the second layer comprises a middle layer sandwiched between the first and third layers, said middle layer being thinner than said first and third layers.
- 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier-forming means further comprises means for forming at least one of the two layers from an at least partially synthetic material.
- 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein one of the layers comprises a high-performance polyethylene membrane.
- 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein one of the layers comprises a homogenous, non-reinforced layer.
- 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein one of the layers comprises a fiber reinforced composite layer.
- 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein one of the layers comprises a mesh material.
- 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier-forming means comprises an upper chamber having upper injecting means for injecting an upper barrier-forming material, and a lower chamber disposed beneath the upper chamber and having a lower injecting means for injecting a lower barrier-forming material beneath said upper barrier-forming material.
- 19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further comprising:
- advancing means for simultaneously advancing the excavating means and the barrier-forming means such that at least a portion of the excavating means and at least a portion of the barrier-forming means are advanced beneath the in-situ portion of earth;
- wherein the barrier-forming means further comprises (i) a carrying member coupled to the chambers, (ii) a dispensable, pre-formed roll of barrier material, said barrier material having a first end, and (iii) attaching means for attaching said first end of the roll of barrier material to the carrying member, such that the barrier material is withdrawn from the dispensable roll as the barrier-forming means is advanced.
- 20. The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the carrying member comprises a plate disposed to reside between the first injection means and the second injection means for drawing the pre-formed barrier material between the first and second layers such that said pre-formed barrier material comprises a third, middle layer.
- 21. The apparatus as defined in claim 19, further comprising sensing means disposed on the barrier material for sensing hazardous materials.
- 22. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the excavating means comprises horizontal digging means disposed on the chambers for forming the generally horizontal trench, said apparatus further comprising:
- advancing means for simultaneously advancing the excavating means and the barrier-forming means such that the horizontal digging means and at least a portion of the barrier-forming means are advanced beneath the in-situ portion of earth;
- wherein the barrier-forming means further comprises (i) a retaining plate coupled to the chambers, and (ii) a dispensing means for dispensing a pre-formed layer of barrier material beneath the retaining plate and between the first and second layers such that said pre-formed layer comprises a middle layer sandwiched between said first and second layers.
- 23. The apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein the dispensing means is disposed between the horizontal digging means and the chambers.
- 24. The apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein the upper injecting means is positioned to inject the upper barrier-forming material on top of the retaining plate such that said retaining plate separates the upper barrier-forming material and the pre-formed layer as said upper barrier-forming material and said pre-formed layer are being respectively injected and dispensed.
- 25. The apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein the dispensing means comprises a pre-formed roll of barrier material rotatably and removably disposed between the horizontal digging means and the chambers.
- 26. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the excavating means is coupled to the barrier-forming means, the apparatus further comprising:
- advancing means for advancing at least a portion of the excavating means and at least a portion of the barrier-forming means simultaneously beneath the in-situ portion of earth.
- 27. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier-forming means further comprises means for forming a multi-layer side barrier within the open trench.
- 28. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the excavating means includes horizontal digging means for forming the generally horizontal trench, the apparatus further comprising:
- advancing means for simultaneously advancing the excavating means and the barrier-forming means;
- shield means attached to the horizontally digging means for (i) moving along at least one of the earthen sidewalls of the horizontal trench as the excavating means advances, and (ii) providing support to said earthen sidewall.
- 29. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier-forming means comprises means for forming barriers within the trenches substantially without a ny intermixing of in-situ earthen material with material of the barriers.
- 30. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the excavating means comprises:
- at least a first endless chain; and
- at least a first chain driving means for advancing the first chain in continuous orbital movement.
- 31. The apparatus as defined in claim 30, further comprising:
- a plurality of digging teeth disposed on the chain; and
- a plurality of excavation vessels disposed on the chain.
- 32. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers of the horizontal barrier is substantially impermeable.
- 33. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers of the horizontal barrier is permeable.
- 34. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers of the multi-layer barrier contains therein chemical means for (i) chemically immobilizing contaminants disposed in the in-situ portion of earth and (ii) inhibiting movement of said contaminants through said at least one of the layers.
- 35. The apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the chemical means comprises a property of said at least one of the layers, and wherein said layer is at least partially formed from a material selected from the group consisting of bentonite, hematite, apatite, and crystalline inorganic material.
- 36. The apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the chemical means comprises an additive to said at least one of the layers, and wherein said additive comprises a material selected from the group consisting of zeolites, bentonite, hematite and apatite.
- 37. The apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said at least one of the layers comprises a substantially impermeable layer.
- 38. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each layer of the multi-layer barrier contains therein chemical means for (i) chemically immobilizing contaminants disposed in the in-situ portion of earth and (ii) inhibiting movement of said contaminants through said at least one of the layers.
- 39. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein the chemical means of the first layer is capable of immobilizing a first contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the second layer is capable of immobilizing a second contaminant.
- 40. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein the chemical means of the first layer is capable of immobilizing a first contaminant but not a second contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the second layer is capable of immobilizing a second contaminant but not a first contaminant.
- 41. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein the multi-layer barrier has at least first, second, third and fourth layers, and wherein the chemical means of the first layer is capable of immobilizing a first contaminant but not a second, third or fourth contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the second layer is capable of immobilizing a second contaminant but not the first, third or fourth contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the third layer is capable of immobilizing a third contaminant but not the first, second or fourth contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the fourth layer is capable of immobilizing a fourth contaminant but not the first, second or third contaminant.
- 42. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers of the multi-layer barrier contains therein degrading means for chemically degrading contaminants disposed in the in-situ portion of earth.
- 43. The apparatus as defined in claim 42, wherein the degrading means comprises an iron-based media capable of chemically reducing the contaminants to non-toxic components.
- 44. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers of the multi-layer barrier comprises a self-healing layer having sufficient flexibility and softness to reform and reseal fractured portions of itself back together.
- 45. An underground containment barrier for containing an in-situ portion of earth having contaminants disposed therein, said barrier comprising:
- earthen sidewalls defining an excavated, generally horizontal underground trench beneath the in-situ portion of earth; and
- a generally horizontal, multi-layer barrier within the generally horizontal trench.
- 46. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein at least one of the layers of the horizontal barrier is substantially impermeable.
- 47. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein at least one of the layers of the horizontal barrier is permeable.
- 48. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein at least one of the layers of the multi-layer barrier contains therein chemical means for (i) chemically immobilizing contaminants disposed in the in-situ portion of earth and (ii) inhibiting movement of said contaminants through said at least one of the layers.
- 49. The apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein the chemical means comprises a property of said at least one of the layers, and wherein said layer is at least partially formed from a material selected from the group consisting of bentonite, hematite, apatite, and crystalline inorganic material.
- 50. The apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein the chemical means comprises an additive to said at least one of the layers, and wherein said additive comprises a material selected from the group consisting of zeolites and bentonite.
- 51. The apparatus as defined in claim 50, wherein said at least one of the layers comprises a substantially impermeable layer.
- 52. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein each layer of the multi-layer barrier contains therein chemical means for (i) chemically immobilizing contaminants disposed in the in-situ portion of earth and (ii) inhibiting movement of said contaminants through said at least one of the layers.
- 53. The apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein the multi-layer barrier has at least first and second layers, and wherein the chemical means of the first layer is capable of immobilizing a first contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the second layer is capable of immobilizing a second contaminant.
- 54. The apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein the multi-layer barrier has at least first and second layers, and wherein the chemical means of the first layer is capable of immobilizing a first contaminant but not a second contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the second layer is capable of immobilizing a second contaminant but not a first contaminant.
- 55. The apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein the multi-layer barrier has at least first, second, third and fourth layers, and wherein the chemical means of the first layer is capable of immobilizing a first contaminant but not a second, third or fourth contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the second layer is capable of immobilizing a second contaminant but not the first, third or fourth contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the third layer is capable of immobilizing a third contaminant but not the first, second or fourth contaminant, and wherein the chemical means of the fourth layer is capable of immobilizing a fourth contaminant but not the first, second or third contaminant.
- 56. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein at least one of the layers of the multi-layer barrier contains therein degrading means for chemically degrading contaminants disposed in the in-situ portion of earth.
- 57. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein the degrading means comprises an iron-based media capable of chemically reducing the contaminants to non-toxic components.
- 58. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein at least one of the layers of the multi-layer barrier comprises a self-healing layer having sufficient flexibility and softness to reform and reseal fractured portions of itself back together.
- 59. A method for constructing an underground containment barrier for containing an in-situ portion of earth, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) excavating a generally horizontal trench beneath the in-situ portion of earth substantially without disturbing said in-situ portion and thereby forming a generally horizontal underground trench beneath said in-situ portion defined by opposing earthen sidewalls; and
- (b) forming a generally horizontal, multi-layer barrier within the horizontal trench comprising a first layer and a second layer disposed above said first layer.
- 60. The method of claim 59, wherein step (b) further comprises forming the generally horizontal, multi-layer barrier such that at least one of said first and second layers at least partially comprises synthetic material.
- 61. The method of claim 59, further comprising the steps of:
- (c) excavating side trenches adjacent the in-situ portion of earth such that said side trenches are disposed in communication with the horizontal trench;
- (d) forming side barriers within the side trenches; and
- (e) interconnecting the side barriers with the horizontal, multi-layer barrier such that said horizontal and side barriers cooperatively form a one-piece unitary barrier enclosure.
- 62. The method of claim 61 wherein:
- step (c) further comprises excavating interconnected side trenches that continuously surround the in-situ portion of earth;
- step (d) further comprises forming interconnected side barriers within the interconnected side trenches such that said side barriers continuously surround the in-situ portion of earth and form an upper perimeter.
- 63. The method of claim 59, wherein step (b) further comprises forming at least a portion of the second layer simultaneously with forming at least a portion of the first layer.
- 64. The method of claim 63, wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of:
- (f) injecting first material for forming the first layer into the horizontal trench;
- (g) placing an intermediate shield over the material for the first layer;
- (h) injecting second material for forming the second layer onto the intermediate shield; and
- (i) removing the intermediate shield from between the first and second material.
- 65. An apparatus for constructing an underground containment barrier for containing an in-situ portion of earth, said apparatus comprising:
- cutting means for cutting earthen material from beneath the in-situ portion of earth without removing said in-situ portion and thereby forming a loosened section of soil beneath the in-situ portion; and
- barrier-forming means attached to the cutting means for forming a generally horizontal, multi-layer barrier within the generally horizontal trench, said multi-layer barrier having at least a first and a second layer, wherein at least one of said layers is formed in part by the loosened soil cut by the cutting means; and
- wherein the barrier-forming means comprises means for injecting uncured slurry into the loosened soil to thereby cause the slurry and loosened soil to intermix and cure to form at least one of the layers of the multi-layer barrier.
CONTRACTUAL ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The United States has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC07-94ID13223 between the U.S. Department of Energy and Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
P3604940 |
Feb 1986 |
DEX |