Method and apparatus for removing volatile organic constituents of gasoline from gasoline-water mixture, and from contaminated water at underground sites

摘要

A method for removing the volatile constituents from gasoline and volatile organic chemicals from contaminated potable water when a fluid including gasoline-water mixture and when contaminated potable water is introduced into a vertical tower includes the steps of flowing the gasoline-water fluid and the water downward in a tower over and in contact with media trays stacked in courses in the tower. The media trays, either circular or square, fit closely within the tower inner wall, such trays are aluminum or molded plastic frames one inch by one inch angles one-eighth inch thick, with a plurality of one and one-half inch wide slats one-quarter of an inch thick on the top of the frame; the slats being spaced apart not less than one-half inch nor more than three- quarters of an inch. The stacked trays are so arranged in courses that the slats of trays of alternate courses are disposed parallel to the slats of trays in alternate courses, but the slats of intermediary trays are disposed at ninety degrees to the slats of trays in the alternate courses. A column of air flowing upward through the media trays entrains the volatile constituents released from the gasoline, and the volatile organic chemicals liberated from the water, when the fluid contacts the media in the tower. A structure for exhausting the air and entrained volatile constituents is provided, and a structure is provided for removing fluid from the bottom of the tower.