Sensor system for buried waste containment sites

Abstract

A sensor system is disclosed for a buried waste containment site having a bottom wall barrier and/or sidewall barriers, for containing hazardous waste. The sensor system includes one or more sensor devices disposed in one or more of the barriers for detecting a physical parameter either of the barrier itself or of the physical condition of the surrounding soils and buried waste, and for producing a signal representing the physical parameter detected. Also included is a signal processor for receiving signals produced by the sensor device and for developing information identifying the physical parameter detected, either for sounding an alarm, displaying a graphic representation of a physical parameter detected on a viewing screen and/or a hard copy printout. The sensor devices may be deployed in or adjacent the barriers at the same time the barriers are deployed and may be adapted to detect strain or cracking in the barriers, leakage of radiation through the barriers, the presence and leaking through the barriers of volatile organic compounds, or similar physical conditions.

1 . Apparatus for deploying a waste containment barrier in soil, and for detecting conditions of the soil in which the barrier is deployed, comprising: 
 grouting arm means for directing a slurry under pressure into soil to mix with the soil and form a barrier,    means for moving the grouting arm through the soil, and    sensor means disposed on the grouting arm for detecting conditions of the soil as the grouting arm moves through the soil.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a gamma ray spectrometer configured for detecting radiation emanating from the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises an X-ray fluorescence detector configured for detecting at least one RCRA metal present in the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a scintillating fiber bundle configured for detecting radiation emanating from the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises an acousto-optic tunable filter configured for detecting at least one volatile organic compound present in the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer configured for detecting at least one volatile organic compound present in the excavated material on the conveyor.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a plurality of sensor means.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sensor means comprise at least two sensor means from the group consisting of a gamma ray spectrometer, an X-ray fluorescence detector, a scintillating fiber bundle, an acousto-optic tunable filter, and a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the grouting arm means is configured to form the barrier as an injected grout barrier formed in-situ.  
   
   
       10 . A method of detecting soil conditions as a waste containment barrier is deployed in the soil, comprising: 
 (a) directing a slurry under pressure into soil adjacent a buried waste containment site, to mix with the soil and form a barrier; and    (b) detecting soil conditions of the soil into which the slurry is directed, as step (b) is being performed.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for deploying a waste containment barrier in soil, and for detecting conditions of the soil in which the barrier is deployed comprising: 
 a grouting arm including jet ports disposed thereon, the jet ports configured for directing a pressurized slurry into a soil to mix with the soil and form a barrier,    a grouting arm transporter configured for moving the grouting arm through the soil, and    at least one sensor disposed on the grouting arm and configured for detecting conditions of the soil as the grouting arm moves through the soil.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a gamma ray spectrometer configured for detecting radiation emanating from the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an X-ray fluorescence detector configured for detecting at least one RCRA metal present in the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a scintillating fiber bundle configured for detecting radiation emanating from the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an acousto-optic tunable filter configured for detecting at least one volatile organic compound present in the soil substantially near the at least one sensor.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer configured for detecting at least one volatile organic compound present in the excavated material on the conveyor.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least two sensors from the group consisting of a gamma ray spectrometer, an X-ray fluorescence detector, a scintillating fiber bundle, an acousto-optic tunable filter, and a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the grouting arm is configured to form the barrier as an injected grout barrier formed in-situ from the pressurized slurry.