Wettability of NAPL-contaminated sands
- Clarkson Univ., Potsdam, NY (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The potential for changes in the wettability of a subsurface system following exposure of sands to a variety of non-aqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs) was assessed. Many of the NAPLs were collected from field sites with on-going NAPL recovery systems. Three methods were used to evaluate the wetting conditions: contact angle measurements, a qualitative bottle test, and capillary pressure-saturation curves. The results clearly show that a wide range of wetting conditions can be expected following spills of complex NAPL mixtures to the subsurface. NAPLs comprised of higher molecular weight constituents--such as creosote--or with added surfactants--such as gasoline--had a greater impact on the system wettability of quartz surfaces. Many of the petroleum products tested resulted in the formation of weakly water-wet surfaces. Under these conditions, the potential recovery of NAPL from the subsurface would be maximized. Much lower recoveries would be expected for the NAPL-wetting creosote and coal tar contaminants, however.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 395108
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 122; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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