Thesis

Effect of gasoline / diesel / ethanol / MTBE mixtures on consolidated Kaolinite and the implication on remediation techniques

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2007
Thesis identifier
  • T11869
Qualification Level
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Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • Light non aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) containing oxygenates are known to be under the influence of oxygenate in the course of their behaviour in the subsurface. Fuel containing oxygenates are capable of affecting the permeability of consolidated clay which may enhance remediation or make remediation very difficult. Centrifuge experiment was carried out to determine hydraulic conductivity of consolidated Kaolinite using common fuel and mixtures made of gasoline, diesel, ethanol butanol and MTBE, change in clay hydraulic conductivity with time was investigated and other structural changes to the clay were also monitored at different gravity level i.e. 32g and 804g. Findings from this experiment indicated that at high gravity level, the consolidated clay experienced highest permeability (4.0821E-09 m s-1) when MTBE was used as permeant and it recorded lowest permeability (2.8029E-10 m s-1) when Diesel was used as permeant. At lower gravity (32g), the consolidated clay recorded highest permeability (3.3858E-09 m s-1) when water was used as permeant. This is closely followed value of 3.3498E-09 m s-1 when MTBE was used. The decreasing order hydraulic conductivity at low stress was offset by the butanol which recorded exceptionally high hydraulic conductivity with a value of 2.6955E-09 m s-1 due to cracking which allow more chemical to pass through. The result from this investigation demonstrated that the hydraulic conductivity of Kaolinite clay leached with LNAPLs containing oxygenate shows a strong association with dielectric constant ,viscosity, retardation factor (sorption) of co-solvent present. The hydraulic conductivity of the Kaolinite increases with increasing dielectric constant (with exception of butanol at lower gravity which resulted in immediate cracking). It decreases with increasing viscosity especially at high gravity level. The consolidated clay showed increased permeability in presence of fuel containing co solvents. Understanding these effects on permeability of clay when leached with LNAPLs like gasoline and diesel containing alcohol may help to improve remediation techniques such as bioremediation, air sparging, permeable reactive barrier and soil vapour extraction. Altering physicochemical parameters of fuel containing oxygenates may also improve the efficiency of remediation techniques.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Sentenac, Philippe.
Resource Type
DOI

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