Abstract: The invention relates to a MSW (municipal solid waste) landfill barrier system capable of prolonging breakthrough time of leachate and a manufacturing method thereof. The system comprises a leachate collection and removal layer, a first HDPE (high-density polyethylene) geomembrane infiltration proof layer (2), a clay liner (5) and a groundwater collection and removal layer (6) which are sequentially stacked from top to bottom. The clay liner (5) is composed of a lower clay liner (51), a middle clay liner (52) and an upper clay liner (53) which are sequentially arranged, wherein the middle clay liner (52) is filled with a medium-fine sand layer (7) laid with sands of particle sizes ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and of water content ?3%, wherein the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the medium-fine sand layer (7) varies from 1×10?5 to 1×10?3. A method of manufacturing the MSW landfill barrier system capable of prolonging breakthrough time of leachate is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a barrier in a subterranean formation is described comprising connecting two pipes to each other by a tensile member, cutting a continuous path through the subterranean formation with the pipes and tensile member, and providing grout into the path. An apparatus for forming such a barrier is described comprising a tensile member, at least two pipes wherein the pipes are connected to the tensile member wherein the pipes are configured to deliver grout to the subterranean formation, and at least one drilling apparatus wherein the drilling apparatus, pipes, and cable are configured to cut a path through the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A process for insitu treatment of at least one contaminant in groundwater, the process comprises the steps of: installing a permeable reactive barrier in the flow path of the at least one contaminant, wherein the installation of the permeable reactive barrier comprises the steps of: boring a first borehole with a portion longitudinally extending; filling the longitudinally extending portion with a reactive material comprising a solid reactant configured to react with the at least one contaminant in the groundwater to produce at least one product having less hazardous characteristics than the at least one contaminant; boring a second longitudinally extending portion and filling the second longitudinally extending portion with the reactive material.

Abstract: Remediation materials are stored and treated within remediation cells constructed within a pond. The remediation materials originate from a variety of sources including the pond in which the remediation cells are constructed. The volume of the remediation cells is relatively small compared to the total volume of the pond and thus, the total active volume of the pond to handle stormwater flood events is not significantly diminished. Remediation of the remediation materials in the cells is accomplished through a variety of processes, including dewatering and/or by bioremediation therein. The water level in the remediation cells during normal operation outside flood events is maintained at levels which support the remediation processes. When the remediation cells are filled over time, remediated material can be removed for use in constructing other remediation cells, wetlands or marshes in the same or other ponds or can be located to areas remote from the pond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-buried facility for storing dangerous materials packaged into containers (10), including: at least one cell (2) defined by buried vertical firewalls (3a) forming a pit containing said containers; and each cell being surrounded by a chamber including vertical firewalls (7a) extending above the ground; and at least one container (10) depositing and receiving area (6; 25), such as a roadway (6) for trucks (6a), and/or an area (25) for handling containers (10) from or to a railway transport line (22); and a corridor-shaped depositing area (5) inside each of said chambers between each of said buried cells and a longitudinal chamber wall (7a); and a motor-driven container handling gantry crane (8) capable of moving one of said containers (8c) that has been suspended to a height greater than that of said chamber walls (7a).

Abstract: A berm to increase capacity of an existing landfill comprises a reinforced portion and backfill material. The landfill comprises a waste-receiving recess having a surface and an outer perimeter, an edge surface peripherally adjacent at least a portion of the outer perimeter, and an existing accumulation of waste within the recess having a collective top surface. The reinforced portion has opposing inner and outer surfaces and comprises structural fill material and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed therein. The backfill material has an inner surface adjacent the inner surface of the reinforced portion. The inner surface of the reinforced portion and the adjacent inner surface of the backfill material are substantially non-planar. The backfill material is at least partially encapsulated by an impermeable membrane. At least a portion of the berm sits on at least a portion of the edge surface of the landfill.

Abstract: A containment system includes a geomembrane liner positioned over a ground surface. An anchor member is provided beneath the geomembrane liner and includes a fastening plate adapted to be secured to the geomembrane liner. The geomembrane liner is positioned over the ground surface and anchor member and is secured to the fastening plate. Dirt or other covering material may then be provided in the hole and over the geomembrane, or the geomembrane may be left exposed.

Abstract: An engineered, scalable underground containment system and method for storing compressed gases or liquids in permeable rock formations using conventional drilling techniques. The porosity and permeability of the formation may be enhanced to maximize reservoir capacity and increase the rate at which gases and liquids can be introduced into and removed from the reservoir. In some embodiments, layers of cap rock in the formation are utilized as containment barriers, and in some, containment barriers are constructed around the storage zones.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a system for strengthening a sloped structure such as a berm, basin, levee, or embankment. The comprises first and second opposing sides, the second side being adjacent the sloped structure; a bottom side adjoining bottom edges of the first and second sides, thereby forming a cavity within the first, second, and bottom sides; fill material disposed within the cavity; an impermeable membrane encapsulating at least a portion of the fill material; and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise berm to increase capacity of an existing landfill. The landfill comprises a waste-receiving recess having a surface and an outer perimeter, an edge surface peripherally adjacent at least a portion of the outer perimeter, and an existing accumulation of waste within the recess. The berm comprises a reinforced portion having opposing inner and outer surfaces and comprising fill material and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed therein, backfill material having an inner surface adjacent the inner surface of the reinforced portion, and an impermeable membrane encapsulating at least a portion of the backfill material, at least a portion of the fill material, and at least a portion of one or more of the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A berm to increase capacity of an existing landfill comprises fill material and a covering portion. The landfill comprises a waste-receiving recess having an outer perimeter, an edge surface peripherally adjacent at least a portion of the outer perimeter, and an existing accumulation of waste within the recess. The fill material has a base, an inner sloped surface adjacent a future accumulation of waste, and an outer sloped surface opposite the inner sloped surface. The fill material comprises contaminated fill material fully encapsulated by an impermeable membrane. The covering portion comprises structural fill material and at least partially covers the fill material. At least a portion of the berm sits on at least a portion of the edge surface of the landfill, and portions of the berm are substantially parallel to corresponding portions of the outer perimeter.

Abstract: A method of constructing a waste landfill includes a waste reclamation site construction step, an air dome installation step of covering the top of the waste reclamation site with an air dome, a partial waste stacking step of partially stacking waste in the waste reclamation site, an air dome supporting structure installation step, a reclamation step of fully filling waste into the waste reclamation site and covering the waste reclamation site with earth, a new waste reclamation site construction step of constructing a new waste reclamation site, and an air dome transfer step of transferring the air dome. The new waste reclamation site construction step and the air dome transfer step are repeatedly carried out to continuously fill waste into the waste reclamation sites and to maximize the waste reclamation sites, thereby improving the utilizeability of the waste landfill.

Abstract: An above ground water storage device includes a plurality of modular walls coupled together in series to form a substantially continuous perimeter. Each of the plurality of modular walls includes a wall panel that is inclinable with respect to a horizontal orientation, and a support base that is coupled to a portion of the wall panel. A liner covers an internal side of the plurality of modular walls and an area encompassed by the continuous perimeter. At least one modular corner wall is positioned with the plurality of modular wall panels to form a corner in the substantially continuous perimeter. The at least one modular corner wall has an angled side with an angle corresponding to the inclined angle of an adjacent modular wall.

Abstract: A method for the placement of subterranean electrodes is disclosed and which includes the steps of providing an earth engaging drill; forming a bore hole in the surface of the earth with the earth engaging drill; providing an electrode; and delivering the electrode into the bore hole by employing the earth engaging drill.

Abstract: A temporary berm or bin system, easily transported, erected without tools, and easily dismantled. A set of panels or planks is joined with sliding clips to form a bin having vertical or near vertical sides. The bin is lined with an impervious sheet of geocloth to form a containment berm for use in controlling the dispersal of hazardous material spilled from storage or work facilities. Spring loaded clamps hold the geocloth securely to the uppermost plank without nailing, sewing, or other labor consuming and/or tear prone methods. The berm is particularly suited to protect oil well drilling sites in environmentally sensitive environments such as arctic tundra. No excavation or other disturbance of the soil is required to erect the protective berm. The berm is secured to the ground by spiking through triangular support gussets. In the arctic, securing may be accomplished by freezing ice or mud as an “ice mortar” over the gusset feet and along the lower edge of the planking.

Abstract: The invention pertains to means and methods for enabling the further use of previously negative assets, and particularly from those facilities formed from gypsum waste, such as that suitable for forming gypsum stacks. Waste containment or landfill facilities are formed from the conversion of gypsum refuse waste materials derived from gypsum mining and processing, and particularly from such facilities as they are formed in place from such gypsum-based refuse. Such facilities can be utilized, rented or leased as waste containment facilities for the short-term, long-term or permanent storage of non-gypsum waste materials such as solid waste, community refuse materials, biomass, industrial waste, phosphate waste, and for composting or otherwise processing materials such as biomass.

Abstract: Systems, components, and methods relating to subterranean containment barriers. Laterally adjacent tubular casings having male interlock structures and multiple female interlock structures defining recesses for receiving a male interlock structure are used to create subterranean barriers for containing and treating buried waste and its effluents. The multiple female interlock structures enable the barriers to be varied around subsurface objects and to form barrier sidewalls. The barrier may be used for treating and monitoring a zone of interest.

Abstract: A trench located in a landfill including the combination of a liquid infiltration piping system and a horizontal gas withdrawal piping system, the combination allowing for simultaneous liquid infiltration and gas withdrawal from a landfill.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the conversion of waste materials derived from gypsum mining and processing, such as existing gypsum stacks, into waste containment or landfill facilities. Advantageously, waste containment facilities and business methods according to the invention enable the creation of a positive revenue stream from previously negative assets such as gypsum stacks. Methods of the invention include the creation of waste containment facilities from existing gypsum stacks, or from the on-site formation of containment facilities from waste gypsum or other waste minerals as they are transported and positioned at a waste site. Waste containment facilities created according to the invention can be used for the short-term, long-term or permanent storage of waste materials such as solid waste, community refuse materials, biomass, industrial waste, phosphate waste, and for composting or otherwise processing materials such as biomass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for remedying soil containing a region polluted with a pollutant which comprises a step of injecting into the soil a liquid containing a microorganism having an activity to decompose the pollutant or a liquid containing the microorganism and an activation agent for the microorganism decomposing the pollutant, wherein the step comprises isolating the region from surrounding soil with a barrier made of a material that does not allow the pollutant, the microorganism, the activation agent or water to pass through, and replacing void water in the isolated region with the liquid.

Abstract: A method for covering a lagoon, manure storage basin, waste water retention pond, water reservoir, open top material storage tank, stacks or piles of commodities, having a perimeter and a containment portion, wherein the method acquires the placement of a perforated tubular member about the perimeter, laying a resilient cover on the containment portion such that an edge of the cover is covering the tubular member and is sealed at the edge. A pumping device attached to the tabular member for extracting air through the tubular member with the pumping device which forces the cover downwardly by the use of negative air pressure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing, verifying, and maintaining underground vaults that isolate and contain radioactive burial sites. The method employs a buoyant lift technique to isolate a block of soil containing the contaminates from the surrounding soil. An impermeable synthetic liner is embedded in the vault to enhance the integrity of the system. The integrity of the vault is monitored by a system of sensors placed both inside and outside of the sealed vault. The method eliminates the need to excavate or drill in the contaminated areas.

Abstract: A waste collection device which comprises, inside a pit, a plate for supporting at least one container; the plate is provided with supports adapted to limit its downward motion to a minimum elevation which allows the container to lie fully within the pit; a monolithic structure, with a base and a lid provided with waste insertion pillars, the base and the lid being spaced so that when the lid is at the level of the paving that surrounds the pit the base lies at a lower level than the supporting plate; the structure is provided with movement device.

Abstract: A temporary berm or bin system, easily transported, erected without tools, and easily dismantled. A set of panels or planks is joined with sliding clips to form a bin having vertical or near vertical sides. The bin is lined with an impervious sheet of geocloth to form a containment berm for use in controlling the dispersal of hazardous material spilled from storage or work facilities. Spring loaded clamps hold the geocloth securely to the uppermost plank without nailing, sewing, or other labor consuming and/or tear prone methods. The berm is particularly suited to protect oil well drilling sites in environmentally sensitive environments such as arctic tundra. No excavation or other disturbance of the soil is required to erect the protective berm. The berm is secured to the ground by spildng through triangular support gussets. In the arctic, securing may be accomplished by freezing ice or mud as an “ice mortar” over the gusset feet and along the lower edge of the planking.

Abstract: Landfills including multiple lifts having horizontal piping layers and methods for their use to accelerate anaerobic and/or aerobic degradation of municipal solid waste to increase landfill capacity.