Cosolvent-enhanced electrokinetic remediation of soils contaminated with phenanthrene

This research was carried out to evaluate feasibility of using an electrokinetic technique to remove hydrophobic organic pollutants from soils, with the assistance of a cosolvent (n-butylamine, tetrahydrofuran, or acetone) added to the conducting fluid. The experiments were carried out on glacial till clay with phenanthrene as the test compound. Desorption equilibrium was investigated by batch tests. The electrokinetic experiments were conducted using a 19.1 cm long x 6.2 cm inside diameter column under controlled voltage. Water or 20% (volume) cosolvent solution was constantly supplied at the anode. The concentration of phenanthrene in the effluent collected at the cathode was monitored. Each experiment lasted for 100 to 145 days. Results showed that the presence of n-butylamine significantly enhanced the desorption and electrokinetic transport of phenanthrene; about 43% of the phenanthrene was removed after 127 days or 9 pore volumes. The effect of acetone was not as significant as butylamine. The effluent flow in the tetrahydrofuran experiments was minimal, and phenanthrene was not detected in the effluent. The use of water as the conducting solution did not cause observable phenanthrene migration.