Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are representative hydrophobic organic carbons (HOCs). Surfactant-enhanced electrokinetic (EK) remediation is an innovative in-situ technology that can effectively remove HOCs from low-permeability soils. In this study, the electrokinetic remediation using Ter...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are representative hydrophobic organic carbons (HOCs). Surfactant-enhanced electrokinetic (EK) remediation is an innovative in-situ technology that can effectively remove HOCs from low-permeability soils. In this study, the electrokinetic remediation using Tergitol 15-S-12, a nonionic surfactant, was conducted for the removal of phenanthrene from kaolinite. Tergitol 15-S-12 was used at concentrations of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 7.5 g/L to enhance the solubility of phenanthrene. When the surfactant solution was applied to EK system, high electrical potential gradient was maintained and the amount of electroosmotic flow decreased. Removal efficiency of phenanthrene was proportional to the concentration of Tergitol 15-S-12 because the solubility and mobility of phenanthrene was enhanced by surfactant micelle. Therefore, the suitable concentration of nonionic surfactant Tergitol 15-S-12 is expected to improve the removal efficiency of PAHs in EK remediation.