TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jan 1, 1999

Practical Aspects of In-Situ Electrokinetic Extraction

Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 125, Issue 1

Abstract

Electrokinetic extraction is an emerging technology that can be used to remove contaminants from heterogeneous fine-grained soils in situ. Contaminants in the subsurface are removed by the application of a direct-current electric field across the contaminated soil. The primary contaminant transport and removal mechanisms are electroosmotic advection and ionic migration. However, there are many complex physicochemical reactions occurring simultaneously during the process that may enhance or retard the cleanup process. Nonetheless, the viability of the technology has been established by results obtained from many bench-scale and large-scale laboratory and pilot-scale field experiments performed on various soils. This paper will review the fundamental concepts of the technology and discuss some important practical aspects and design criteria of the technology for field implementations. An example on cost analysis of the technology is also presented to demonstrate the use of various equations presented in the paper and to illustrate the cost-effectiveness of the technology.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 125Issue 1January 1999
Pages: 27 - 35

History

Received: Aug 4, 1997
Published online: Jan 1, 1999
Published in print: Jan 1999

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Associate Member, ASCE,
Member, ASCE,
Asst. Prof., Dept. of Civ. and Envir. Engrg., 420 Snell Engrg. Ctr., Northeastern Univ., Boston, MA 02115.
Sr. Engr., Binnie Black & Veatch Hong Kong Ltd., 11th Floor, New Town Tower, Pak Hok Ting St., Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Envir. Engr., Envir. Lab., U.S. Army Corps of Engrs., Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

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