Method and apparatus for removing ions from soil

Patent · 01 January 1993

OSTI ID:868679

Bibler, Jane P ^[1]

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1. 813 E. Rollingwood Rd., Aiken, SC 29801

A method and apparatus for selectively removing species of ions from an area of soil. Permeable membranes 14 and 18 impregnated with an ion exchange resin that is specific to one or more species of chemical ions are inserted into ground 12 in close proximity to, and on opposing sides of, a soil area of interest 22. An electric potential is applied across electrodes 26 and 28 to cause the migration of ions out of soil area 22 toward the membranes 14 and 18. Preferably, the resin exchanges ions of sodium or hydrogen for ions of mercury that it captures from soil area 22. Once membranes 14 and 18 become substantially saturated with mercury ions, the potential applied across electrodes 26 and 28 is discontinued and membranes 14 and 18 are preferably removed from soil 12 for storage or recovery of the ions. The membranes are also preferably impregnated with a buffer to inhibit the effect of the hydrolysis of water by current from the electrodes.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Bibler, Jane P. (813 E. Rollingwood Rd., Aiken, SC 29801)
• Patent Number(s): US 5190628
• OSTI ID: 868679
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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12
14
18
22
26
28
apparatus
applied
buffer
captures
chemical
close
close proximity
current
discontinued
effect
electric
electric potential
electrodes
exchange
exchange resin
exchanges
ground
hydrogen
hydrolysis
impregnated
inhibit
inserted
membranes
mercury
method
migration
opposing
permeable
permeable membrane
permeable membranes
potential
potential applied
preferably
proximity
recovery
removed
removing
resin
saturated
selectively
selectively removing
sodium
soil
species
specific
storage
substantially
water