AIChE Journal, Vol.42, No.6, 1685-1696, 1996
2-Dimensional Modeling of Electroremediation
A mathematical model and numerical code for the simulation of contaminant removal from soils by electric fields are applied in two dimensions. The model describes the coupled transport of mass and charge, and the chemical speciation of a multicomponent system subjected to an electric field. Transport mechanisms included are electroosmosis, pressure-driven convection, electromigration, and diffusion. The model can also describe complexation, dissolution and precipitation reactions, surface complexation and sorption processes, and electrochemical reactions. Chemical and sorption equilibria are assumed. Transport equations used are based on quantities conserved throughout chemical reactions so that only the time scales of transport processes need to be resolved. The model is used to simulate the removal of phenol from kaolin clay for which experiments are presented. The successful explanation of the experimental observations confirms the theoretical bases of the model.