Surfactant-enhanced solubilization of residual dodecane in soil columns. 1. Experimental investigation

Journal Article · Sun Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Science and Technology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00048a005· OSTI ID:5137121

PennelL, K D; Abriola, L M; Weber, Jr, W J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

The solubilization of dodecane by polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, a nonionic surfactant, was investigated as a potential means of recovering nonaqueous-phase liquids from contaminated aquifers. Residual saturations of dodecane were established by injecting [sup 14]C-labeled dodecane into water-saturated soil columns and displacing the free product with water. Flushing with a 43 g/L surfactant solution increased the concentration of dodecane in the column effluent by 5 orders of magnitude. However, effluent dodecane concentrations were considerably less than the equilibrium value of 3500 mg/L measured in batch studies. Subsequent column experiments conducted at several flow velocities and with periods of flow interruption confirmed the existence of rate-limited, rather than instantaneous, solubilization of residual dodecane. The results of this study demonstrate the sizable capacity of surfactant solutions to enhance the recovery of residual dodecane, even under conditions of rate-limited solubilization. 67 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 5137121
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology; (United States) Vol. 27:12; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
540350 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
ALKANES
AQUIFERS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CONTROL
DODECANE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GROUND WATER
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
SOILS
SOLUBILITY
SORPTION
SURFACTANTS
WATER