Comparison of electrokinetic soil remediation methods using one fixed anode and approaching anodes

Environ Pollut. 2007 Nov;150(2):193-9. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.02.004. Epub 2007 Mar 21.

Abstract

During the cation exchange membrane (CEM) enhanced electrokinetic (EK) soil remediation, the nearer to the anode, the higher are the H+ concentrations and the redox potentials. As both low pH and high redox potential are helpful to speed-up Cd electro-migration, soils near the anode can be quickly remedied. Usually EK process is operated with one fixed anode (FA). A novel CEM enhanced EK method with approaching anodes (AAs) is proposed to accelerate electro-migration effect. Several mesh Ti/Ru anodes were inserted as AAs in the treated soil. They were switched in turn from the anode towards the cathode. Thus high H+ ions concentrations and high redox potentials quickly migrate to the cathode. Consequently, soil remediation is accelerated and nearly 44% of energy and 40% of time can be saved. The mechanism of Cd electro-migration behavior in soils during CEM enhanced EK is described as the elution in an electrokinetically driven chromatogram.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Electrodes
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / instrumentation
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Soil Pollutants*

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Cadmium