Long-Term Column Testing of Zeolite-Amended Backfills. I: Testing Methodology and Chemical Compatibility
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 9
Abstract
Eight column tests were performed with specimens comprising unamended and zeolite-amended sand-bentonite backfills for vertical cutoff walls permeated with solutions of either 35 mM KCl (five tests) or 20 mM (three tests) to evaluate the potential use of zeolite amendments for enhancing the sorption capacity of and . The column tests used flow-pump systems to maintain constant flow rates and flexible-wall cells to minimize the potential for side-wall leakage and short circuiting of solutes. However, the use of low flow rates () to prevent membrane blow-out and initial permeation with deionized water to control soluble salts contributed to extensive test durations ranging from 385 days (1.05 year) to 1,370 days (3.75 year). The column specimens were characterized by soil:solution ratios ranging from to and hydraulic conductivity, , based on permeation with a salt solution that were . Thus, the of the backfill specimens was consistent with that typically required of backfills for vertical cutoff walls used for containment of contaminated groundwater. Also, effluent electrical conductivity (EC) and pH attained the values for the influent in the case of the 35 mM KCl solution, whereas for the low pH (1.83), 20 mM solution, the buffering capacity of the backfill specimens reduced the contribution of to the EC of the effluent, resulting in a slight increase in the effluent pH (). Finally, delayed breakthrough of and was consistent with preferential cation exchange of and relative to exchangeable and/or initially bound to the exchange sites of the bentonite and zeolite components of the backfills.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through Grant No. 0624104. The opinions and recommendations provided in this paper are solely those of the authors and are not necessarily consistent with the policies of NSF.
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©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Aug 30, 2016
Accepted: Feb 23, 2017
Published online: May 29, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Oct 29, 2017
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