Electrochemical remediation costs

The general perception among environmental professionals is that electrochemical remediation is very costly. However, one must understand the site conditions where electrochemical remediation is applied and the other potential competitive technologies applicable for the same site conditions. As noted earlier, electrochemical remediation is applicable to difficult sites where low-permeability and heterogeneous soils and/or complex contaminants exist. Many conventional remediation technologies are not even applicable for such site conditions. Therefore, cost comparison is often made with the option of excavation and disposal of hazardous waste. 

Table 27.2 outlines the major and minor factors that influence the cost of electrochemical remediation installations. Most of the cost factors are common to all types of remediation systems. The largest and most significant cost factor is the size of area to be treated. 

Although excellent removal efficiencies can be achieved at bench scale by the use of different enhanced electrochemical remediation strategies, several practical problems arise in using them at actual field sites. These problems include high cost... 

Athmer CJ (2009) Cost estimates for electrokinetic remediation. In Reddy KR, Cameselle C (eds) Electrochemical remediation technologies for polluted soils, sediments and groundwater. Wiley, Hoboken, pp 583-587... 

Finally, soil remediation processes are farther along than the remediation of low-level waste because some practical tests have been made in the field. In some systems, the results are those desired. The costs of the thermal process for removing metal from soils are so high that funding of the development of the electrochemical approach would seem to offer good returns. 

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