Optimization of surfactant-aided remediation of industrially contaminated soils

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Energy Sources

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00908319608908768· OSTI ID:253774

Joshi, M M; Lee, S ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Akron, OH (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Soil matrices contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) abound at the sites of coke-oven gas plants, refineries, and many other major chemical industries. The removal of PAHs from soil using pure water, via soil washing (ex situ) or soil flushing (in situ), is quite ineffective due to their low solubility and hydrophobicity. However, addition of suitable surfactant(s) has been shown to increase the removal efficiency several fold. For the present work, the removal of PAHs occurring in industrially contaminated soil was studied. The objective was to use a nonionic surfactant solution for in situ soil flushing and to evaluate the optimal range of process parameters that can significantly increase the removal efficiency. The process parameters chosen were surfactant concentration, ratio of washing solution volume to soil weight, and temperature of washing solution. These parameters were found to have a significant effect on PAH removal from the contaminated soil and an optimal range was determined for each parameter under given washing conditions.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 253774
• Journal Information: Energy Sources, Journal Name: Energy Sources Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 18; ISSN 0090-8312; ISSN EGYSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
02 PETROLEUM
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
COKING PLANTS
EXTRACTION
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
SURFACTANTS
WASHING