Understanding the operational variables in electrokinetic remediation of aquifers is not sufficient to put the remediation method to practical use. This is because the method is relatively new, though an inovative technique in the aquifer remediation. In order to investigate theoretically the operational variables of the electrokinetic remediation, a mathematical model has been constructed based on the physico-chemical mass transport process of heavy metals in the pore water of contaminated aquifers. Transport of the heavy metals is driven not only by the hydraulic flow due to the injection of the purge water but also by the electromigration due to the application of an electric potential. The electric potential between the anode and the cathode is considered an important operational variable in electrokinetic remediation. From model simulations of Cu2+ (as a heavy metal), it is confirmed numerically that the remediation starts from the upstream anode and the heavy metal is gradually transported to the downstream cathode.
The increase in need for water supply enhances the need to clean up contaminated groundwater and soil. Many new techniques for the remediation of the groundwater and soil have been proposed. Among them, one of the most cost-effective technologies is the in-situ electrokinetic remediation. Though investigation of the electrokinetic remediation is done not only experimentally but also theoretically, the understanding to obtain the mathematical model is quite insufficient. This study aims to investigate the operational variables of the remediation using a mathematical model based on physico-chemical mass transport theory to simulate the nonsteady characteristics of the electrokinetic remediation. The in-situ electrokinetic method is simply realized by burying the electrodes (anode and cathode) into the treatment zone of the aquifer, which is saturated with the groundwater or the purge water, and by applying a fixed low voltage direct current between the electrodes.
