Electrokinetic Treatment Coupled with Injection of Nanomaterials

4 ELECTROKINETIC TREATMENT COUPLED WITH INJECTION OF NANOMATERIALS 

The use of the delivery vehicle concept for environmental remechation has received much attention in recent years (Schrick et al., 2004 Kanel and Choi, 2007  

Saleh et aL, 2007). This concept employs a carrier that strongly binds and transports reactive reagents (e.g., nanoscale ZVI) to the location where chemical reactions needed. This technique can be particularly useful for contamination sites (e.g., under buildings) that cannot easily be reached by hydrofracturing techniques, or in urban areas where conventional excavation methods or PRB technology are not possible. 

In recent years, several attempts have been made by researchers trying to study the feasibihty of electrokineticdly enhanced chemical delivery of nanoparticles in various porous matrixes including the subsurface environment. Of these, only limited studies used bare nanoiron, while the rest used surface modified nanoparticles to investigate the delivery behavior and relevant outcome. 

Adams (2006) reported that the electrokineticaUy induced movement of bare nanoiron (i.e., nanoscale ZVI) was ineffective in penetrating the porous matrix under a hydraulic gradient, probably due to the nanoiron agglomerating to form particles that were too large to effectively migrate through the porous matrix. 

---