Cosolvent effects of oxygenated fuels on PAH solubility

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Journal of Environmental Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1997)123:4(354)· OSTI ID:477250

Chen, C S; Delfino, J J ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States). Dept. of Environmental Engineering Science

Cosolvents have been recognized to have a significant impact on the redistribution and movement of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in the environment. The cosolvent effect of oxygenated compounds (methanol, ethanol, and methyl tert-butyl ether) on the solubility of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was examined by laboratory experiments. Coal-tar-contaminated sediment was used to study the redistribution and facilitated solubilization of 18 PAH compounds in both sediment and aqueous phases caused by cosolvent effects when oxygenated fuel spills occur. A batch dilution experiment was designed to represent the dilution effect of the cosolvent in a simulated river system. The results indicate that PAH solubility increased essentially in a long-linear manner with an increased volume fraction of methanol and ethanol. Deviations from a log-linear relationship were observed for methyl tert-butyl ether due to its limited aqueous solubility, and the cosolvent effect was seen only at the simulated fuel spill site. A linear relationship between the cosolvency power and logarithm of octanol/water partition coefficient was observed.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 477250
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 123; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
02 PETROLEUM
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
COAL TAR
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SOLUBILITY