Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc. (DBS&A) has been dedicated to finding better, faster, and more cost-effective solutions for our clients' environmental challenges since the firm's inception in 1984. DBS&A's research and development (R&D) concentration began with the efforts of creative staff members who fabricated equipment not available commercially to meet the need for specialized analyses tailored to project-specific circumstances. As DBS&A has grown, these fabrication skills have evolved into a significant internal R&D capability, which has led to five Small Business Innovation Research grants, both Phase I and II, and several patents.
DBS&A's research capabilities have been recognized by national laboratories, government agencies, universities and private institutions, who in pursuing innovative solutions to environmental problems have relied upon the expertise of DBS&A's R&D team. These organizations, as well as other clients with difficult or unique problems, have benefited from our R&D emphasis, which produces a climate of innovation within the company that routinely leads to cost-effective, inventive solutions to complex environmental challenges.
DBS&A Research and Development Projects
Dry Barrier Alternative Landfill CoverIn partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Technology Development, DBS&A completed a project to develop landfill dry barrier cover technology, beginning with development of the dry barrier concept through construction and testing of a large-scale pilot project. The dry barrier concept involves construction of a coarse gravel layer within the landfill cover, with a piping and vent system to create air flow within the gravel layer. This concept takes advantage of the natural humidity gradients between the subsurface and ambient air in arid climates and the energy of wind to drive air flow. The dry barrier cover design hydraulically isolates the waste by preventing downward seepage through the cover, and additionally, extracts moisture from the buried waste. DBS&A has received a patent for the dry barrier technology, which may be used in a variety of waste disposal cover and liner applications.
Water Run-off Siphon DBS&A has developed and patented the Water Run-off Siphon, a drainage system that enhances water quality, recharges groundwater, and controls erosion. The system diverts storm water into a subsurface infiltration trench to seep slowly into the soil. A unique design feature makes the trench "self cleaning" and prevents clogging of the system. Siphoning trenches inexpensively allow for: (1) removing viruses, pesticides, or other compounds, (2) increasing groundwater recharge, and (3) promoting plant growth to reduce erosion. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the first one-half inch of rainwater, called first flush, washes chemicals such as oil, gas and antifreeze from the pavement. If the first flush is diverted to the subsurface, instead of flowing down an arroyo directly to rivers and streams, most of the chemical contaminants, including viruses and other compounds, will be consumed by microbes in the soil. Channeling runoff water into the ground reduces evaporation, increasing groundwater recharge. Directing storm water underground also prevents earth and vegetation on the surface from flooding and washing away, reducing erosion.
Automated Air Entry PermeameterDBS&A has developed and patented an automated air-entry permeameter (AEP) that measures saturated hydraulic conductivity of low-permeability soil and returns results in 1 to 8 hours. The AEP method provides the reliability of field-scale testing, avoiding the need to remove small core samples for testing in the laboratory. With typical turnaround times for laboratory results generally being at least several days, the AEP can help you keep your project moving forward. When combined with a field nuclear gauge to determine air-filled porosity, the AEP allows for real time approval of compacted soil cover or linear systems, virtually eliminating downtime for the construction crew.
They aren't:
Clay covers with 2 feet of 10-7 material
Composite caps (GCLs/FMLs)
They usually are:
Composed of one or more soil layers
Less expensive (savings of 50-75k/acre)
They should:
Operate on natural principals and thus perform well long term
