The Behavior of Anionic Surfactant Calfax 16L-35 in Electrokinetic Remediation

Surfactant-enhanced electrokinetic (EK) remediation is an emerging technology that can effectively remove hydrocarbons from low-permeability soils. In this study, the electrokinetic remediation using Calfax 16L-35 was conducted for the removal of phenanthrene from kaolinite. An anionic surfactant Calfax 16L-35 was used at concentrations of 5, 15, and 30g/L to enhance the solubility of phenanthrene. When the surfactant solution was applied to EK system, low electrical potential gradient was maintained because of its ions. Even when the surfactant concentration was high, the removal efficiency of phenanthrene was low After the operation, most of surfactants were remained in soil and there were few in effluent. This phenomena was observed because the migration of Calfax 16L-35 from cathode to anode was predominant over electroosmotic flow which moved in opposite direction. Therefore, the anionic surfactant Calfax 16L-35 is considered to be improper in surfactant - enhanced electrokinetic remediation.