SUBSURFACE DISCRETE INTERVAL SYSTEM WITH VERIFIABLE INTERVAL ISOLATION

Abstract

A subsurface discrete interval system for water and soil vapor, providing verifiable interval isolation, media evaluation and monitoring, field modifiability, extraction, and injection capabilities. The system comprises an outer structure (01) and inner core (02), each comprised of one or more seal sections (03) and one or more port sections (04). A user of the system can monitor, sample, and evaluate the characteristics of the media of interest at verifiable isolated discrete intervals. A user of the system can extract or inject fluid, vapor, or multiphase substances in the media of interest. During installation or anytime afterwards the user can modify or remove the system to meet the dynamic conditions and needs frequently encountered during subsurface investigation and/or remediation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATE APPLICATIONS

Ser. No. 61/219,721

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING

None.

THEREFOR

This invention, provides a subsurface discrete interval system for water and soil vapor, including verifiable interval isolation, media evaluation and monitoring, sample collection, field modifiability, extraction, and injection capabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Subsurface ground water and soil vapor sampling systems in the form of cluster wells, multi-level wells or other devices have been commonly known and widely used, dating back more than 40 years. These systems generally include an array of individual monitoring points, isolated to varying degrees, in a single boring, in which piping or tubing is extended to the surface for sampling purposes. Typical systems of this type are shown, for example, in the following United States of America patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,683 Chulick

U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,079 Harris

U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,478 Bemhardt

U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,975 Butler

U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,933 Einarson, et al.

Though such systems have achieved considerable popularity and commercial success, there has been a continuing need for improvement and there are several deficiencies in the prior art, which include a lack of the following; verifiable interval isolation, media evaluation, field modifiability, and extraction/injection capabilities.

SUMMARY

The invention pertains to a subsurface discrete interval system inclusive of zone isolation for purposes of aquifer testing, and/or media evaluation, and/or collection of discrete samples, and/or extraction of water and/or vapor (media), and/or injection of media, as a single phase or multi-phase stream.

Port and seal sections, each consisting of an outer structure and an inner core, are used to isolate intervals. Advantages of this configuration allow for sealing of discrete intervals while allowing access to other intervals with increased flexibility. This increased flexibility includes verifiable isolation of intervals through installation and operation of transducers or other water level monitoring devices allowing for independent monitoring of operational effects and ambient conditions in individual discrete zones. As a result of providing verifiably isolated intervals discrete aquifer properties can be evaluated. By utilizing an adaptable tubing and connection system, in conjunction with the port and seal sections, liquids, non-aqueous phase liquids, and vapor can be extracted from or injected into discrete intervals. Additional advantage is realized during installation or anytime afterwards as the user can modify or remove the system to meet the dynamic conditions and needs frequently encountered during subsurface investigation and/or remediation. This includes the ability to change the number and location of port and/or seal sections during implementation, reduce the number of port and/or seal sections anytime after initial implementation, retrofitting of the system after implementation with different equipment and/or instrumentation, or removal of the invention entirely.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of the implemented invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the implemented invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the port section.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of seal section.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the inner core section.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 01 Outer structure
• 02 Inner core
• 03 Seal section
• 04 Port section
• 05 Natural, artificial, or pre-packed fill materials
• 06 Sealed access point
• 07 Packer cup
• 08 Rigid inner core material
• 09 Tubing
• 10 Instrumentation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to FIG. 1, comprises an outer structure 01 and inner core 02, each comprising one or more seal sections 03 and one or more port sections 04, each port section 04 providing an advantageous, verifiably discrete, and isolated interval through which a fluid, vapor, or multiphase substance can be transferred, and through which media characteristics can be evaluated and monitored.

As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the outer structure comprises naturally developed, artificial, and/or pre-packed materials 05 in the annular space between the boring wall and the material comprising the inner casing, which may or may not be present, of the outer structure. When the invention is implemented in crystalline or consolidated material, or when otherwise preferred, the outer structure may be exempted.

As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the inner core 02 comprises a rigid material with a plurality of sealed access points 06, and one or more packer cups 07 each comprising an obtrusion, fixed in place, extending from the rigid core material 08, consisting of rubber, or other formable material, reinforced with extruded or formed metal, or other tensionable material, to provide the sealing force.

As depicted in FIG. 3, an enlarged fragmentary view of a port section 04, the outer structure 01 in the preferred embodiment, comprises a permeable material adjacent to the perforated material comprising the inner casing, which may or may not be present, of the outer structure 01 in a port section 04. As depicted in FIG. 3, an enlarged fragmentary view of a port section 04, the inner core 02 in the preferred embodiment, comprises a rigid material with one or more sealed access points 06, and one or more packer cups 07 on both sides of the port section 04, each comprising an obtrusion, fixed in place, extending from the rigid core material 08, consisting of rubber, or other formable material, reinforced with extruded or formed metal, or other tensionable material, to provide the sealing force. The sealed access points 06 in the port section 04 comprise threaded, chemically sealed, or compressed gasket ports through the rigid core material 08 through which a fluid, vapor, or multiphase substance can be transferred, and through which media characteristics can be evaluated. The sealed access points 06, in the preferred embodiment, through which a fluid, vapor, or multiphase substance can be transferred, and through which media characteristics can be evaluated, have an attached screen or perforated material for the purposes of media filtration and/or extraction or injection. Inside the inner core 02 a means through which a fluid, vapor, or multiphase substance can be transferred, and through which media characteristics can be evaluated, comprises one or more tubes 09 which run from the port section 04 to the surface.

As depicted in FIG. 4, an enlarged fragmentary view of a seal section 03, the outer structure 01 in the preferred embodiment, comprises a non-permeable material adjacent to the non-permeable material comprising the inner casing, which may or may not be present, of the outer structure 01 in a seal section 03. As depicted in FIG. 4, an enlarged fragmentary view of a seal section 03, the inner core 02 in the preferred embodiment, comprises a rigid material 08 with one or more sealed access points 06, and one or more packer cups 07 on both sides of the seal section, each comprising an obtrusion, fixed in place, extending from the rigid core material 08, consisting of rubber, or other formable material, reinforced with extruded or formed metal, or other tensionable material, to provide the sealing force. The sealed access points 06 in the seal section 03 comprise threaded, chemically sealed, or compressed gasket ports through the rigid core material 08 through which media characteristics can be evaluated and monitored, and interval isolation can be verified. The sealed access points 06, in the preferred embodiment have an attached screen or perforated material for the purposes of media filtration. One or more tubes 09 which run from the seal section 03 to the surface within the inner core 02 comprise a means through which media characteristics can be evaluated, and interval isolation can be verified.

As depicted in FIG. 5, an enlarged fragmentary view of the inner core 02, the tubing 09 from sealed access points 06 from either port sections 04 or seal sections 03 extends to the surface or other termination point, at which or in-line, it can be plugged or connected to pumps, transducers, dataloggers, water and/or vapor quality monitoring equipment, or other instrumentation 10.

IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred implementation and operation of the invention, with reference to FIG. 1, consists of the creation of an aperture and void in the medium of interest, and insertion of inner core into the aperture and void when implemented in crystalline or consolidated material, or when implemented in unconsolidated, semi-consolidated materials, or when otherwise preferred, insertion of the inner casing portion of the outer structure 01 into the aperture and void, with naturally developed or artificial fill materials 05, placed in the annular space, or utilizing pre-packed materials. Insertion of the inner casing portion of outer structure 01 is followed by insertion of the inner core 02 into said inner casing portion of outer structure 01.

The invention is field modifiable, removable, and retrofittable, particularly through four primary means. The first means during implementation and operation is the ability to change the number of port and/or seal sections or change the location of one or more port and/or seal sections during implementation. The second means is the ability to change the number of port and/or seal sections or change the location of one or more port and/or seal sections anytime after implementation when the invention is installed in crystalline or consolidated materials. The third means is the ability to reduce the number of port and/or seal sections anytime after implementation. The fourth means is the ability to retrofit the system after implementation with different equipment and/or instrumentation, or remove the invention entirely.

Claims

1. A subsurface discrete interval system, whereby (a) at least one port or seal section provides an advantageous verifiably discrete and isolated interval through which a fluid, vapor, or multiphase substance can be transferred, and through which media characteristics can be evaluated and monitored, and (b) the system is field modifiable and removable providing the capability to change equipment and instrumentation 10, or remove the system entirely, comprising;

an outer structure 01, except when the invention is implemented in crystalline or consolidated material, or otherwise preferred, comprising naturally developed or artificial fill materials, or utilizing pre-packed materials 05, in the annular space between the boring wall and the material comprising the inner casing, which may or may not be present, of the outer structure 01;

an inner core 02 comprising a rigid material with a plurality of sealed access points 06, and at least one packer cup 07 each comprising an obtrusion, fixed in place, extending from said rigid core material 08 outward, consisting of rubber, or other formable material, reinforced with extruded or formed metal, or other tensionable material, to provide the sealing force;

at least one port section 04, where the said outer structure 01 comprises a permeable material adjacent to the perforated material comprising the inner casing, which may or may not be present, of the said outer structure 01 in a port section 04, and the said inner core 02 comprises a rigid material 08;

one or more sealed access points 06 comprising threaded, chemically sealed, or compressed gasket ports through the said rigid inner core material 08;

one or more attached screens or perforated materials;

at least one seal section 03, where the said outer section 01 comprises a non-permeable material adjacent to the non-permeable material comprising the inner casing, which may or may not be present, of the said outer structure 01, and the said inner core 02 comprises a rigid material 08 with one or more said sealed access points 06, and one or more said attached screens;