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Surfactant-modified zeolites as permeable barriers to organic and inorganic groundwater contaminants

Conference ·
OSTI ID:229555
;  [1]
  1. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States)

We have shown in laboratory experiments that natural zeolites treated with hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) are effective sorbents for nonpolar organics, inorganic cations, and inorganic anions. Due to their low cost ({approximately}$0.75/kg) and granular nature, HDTMA-zeolites appear ideal candidates for reactive, permeable subsurface barriers. The HDTMA-zeolites are stable over a wide range of pH (3-13), ionic strength (1 M Cs{sup +} or Ca{sup 2+}), and in organic solvents. Surfactant-modified zeolites sorb nonpolar organics (benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorinated aliphatics) via a partitioning mechanism, inorganic cations (Pb{sup 2+}) via ion exchange and surface complexation, and inorganic anions (CrO{sub 4}{sup 2-}, SeO{sub 4}{sup 2-}, SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}) via surface precipitation.The goal of this work is to demonstrate the use of surfactant-modified zeolite as a permeable barrier to ground water contaminants.

Research Organization:
USDOE Morgantown Energy Technology Center, WV (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AR21-95MC32108
OSTI ID:
229555
Report Number(s):
DOE/METC--96/1021-Vol.2; CONF-9510108--Vol.2; ON: DE96000552
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English