Abstract: Viscosity Differential Fracturing uses pneumatic and hydraulic fracturing techniques and a viscosity differential to achieve greater networking, higher amendment loading rates and more controlled propagation. Pneumatic fracturing is applied first in order to create a dense network of small fractures. This is followed by a hydraulic component using a viscosity adjusted fluid. This material can be injected into these fractures at a significant flow rate and extend/expand these fractures while filling them with the fluid. The significant advantage of VDF versus traditional hydraulic fracturing is that the density of fractures created by the initial gas process leads to an overall greater density of fractures emplaced within the subsurface coupled with the ability to emplace a greater mass of material (e.g. proppants, sand, reactants).

Abstract: A method for the in-situ remediation of contaminants including soluble metals more noble than iron and halogenated hydrocarbons that are present in groundwater, absorbed to soil, and exist in the free product state in a soil volume. An inert pressurized gas in combination with an atomized iron powder-water slurry is used to inject pre-determined quantities of reactive zero valent iron powder relative to the quantity of contaminants present in the soil for obtaining preselected rates of remediation with minimum quantities of iron powder and with reaction products within a preferred acidic pH range. Features, such as particle surface area and carbon content, are identified that enhance the reactivity of the iron powder.