Numerical modeling and experimental study on electro-kinetic extraction /
There are many alternatives to remediate contaminants in coarse-grained soils. However, most of these methods fail to accomplish their task in fine-grained soils. Electro-kinetic extraction is an emerging technology that has been proven to be feasible in laboratory and pilot scale studies in the r...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1996.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=743266961&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | There are many alternatives to remediate contaminants in coarse-grained soils. However, most of these methods fail to accomplish their task in fine-grained soils. Electro-kinetic extraction is an emerging technology that has been proven to be feasible in laboratory and pilot scale studies in the removal of some contaminants from fine-grained soils. However, there is a need to understand the physics and chemistry associated with the process to enhance its potential uses in hazardous waste site remediation. This investigation is comprised of experimental and modeling studies on the removal of non-reactive and reactive contanminants using the electro-kinetic process including: (1) literature review; (2) design and development of apparatuses; (3) experimental studies; (4) development of conceptual model for the process; (5) theoretical formulation and numerical modeling-, and (6) comparison of model predictions with experimental results. Sodium chloride, lead, and phenol were used as a non-reactive, reactive, and organic contaminant, respectively. The study was extended by simulating experimental results on electro-kinetic extraction of copper available in the literature.Numerical models NONREACT-EKT, REACT-EKT, and PBENOL-EKT were developed to simulate the migration of non-reactive, reactive, and organic contaminants, respectively. These models simulate the transport and fate of chemicals, and pH and voltage distribution along the length of the specimen as a function of time. The model REACT-EKT and PHENOL-EKT simulate chemical reactions coupled with contaminent transport. The two-step method was adopted in modeling reactive and organic continents to avoid numerical complication inherent in the one-step method. The validity of these models was evaluated by comparing the model predictions with experimental results. The comparisons indicated that the model predictions and the experimental results are in good agreement. The pH model and lumped soil-contaminant interactions model presents a plausible approach for all the contaminants used in this study. However, some suggestions were made on how to enhance the model performance. The simulations indicate that: (1) pH plays an important role affecting cleanup efficiency; (2) coupled flow theory is applicable to model the electro- kinetic transport on a macroscopic scale; and (3) sorption potential and acid/base buffer capacity of the soil affect the degree of removal of a reactive contaminant significantly. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Civil Engineering". |
| Physical Description: | xx, 292 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |