Electrokinetic Remediation - Where Next?

Purkis, Jamie, Hemming, Shaun, Daniel, Graham, James, Warwick, Phillip and Cundy, Andy (2021) Electrokinetic Remediation - Where Next? In TRANSCEND Annual Meeting 2021.

Abstract

In this poster and presentation we will briefly introduce electrokinetic remediation (EKR; Fig. 1), a remediation technology that uses electricity to remove pollutants, such as fission products (137Cs, 90Sr), actinides (U-Am) and other radioactive and non-radioactive species, from contaminated nuclear site materials. We will also discuss its advantages, namely, that it is a versatile, low-energy (< 1 V.cm-1) and low-impact technique that operates effectively in low permeability substrates (clays, cements, etc.) which are difficult to remediate by conventional remediation technologies (e.g. chemical oxidation). Being a low-cost, in-situ remediation technology that can flexibly be applied on working sites, and in combination with other technologies, means EKR also aligns very well with emerging trends towards ‘low-impact’ remediation technologies, particularly on-site. Using a recent case study or studies we will then show how EKR can be used to effectively remediate challenging substrates (clayey, organic-rich soils). We also show how the technology, currently restricted at scale, can in fact easily be scaled up to the pilot (metre-plus) size using in-situ iron barriering technology (ferric iron remediation and stabilisation, or FIRS). We will then very briefly highlight upcoming literature arising from this project, concluding with a “forward look” in which we briefly discuss progress towards the remaining TRANSCEND objectives, and where research into this rapidly developing technology should go next.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: Jamie Purkis

Author: Shaun, Daniel Hemming

Author: Phillip Warwick

Author: Andy Cundy

Download statistics