Application of hexagonal two dimensional electrokinetic system on the nickel contaminated sediment and modelling the transport behavior of nickel during electrokinetic treatment

Abstract

Abstract The possibility of applying hexagonal two dimensional (2-D) electrokinetic ex-situ system on the sediment contaminated with nickel (Ni) has been tested. Three experiments have been performed in order to determine the effect of the continued lack of electricity during the night as well as the effect of electric current oscillations during the use of solar panels. The efficiency of the treatment has been monitored by changing pseudo-total concentration of Ni on defined locations in electrokinetic cell. At the end of the treatment pollution assessment has been evaluated based on the pseudo-total concentration of Ni in sediment and in the leached water. Also, we implemented a modified mathematical model to simulate transport of nickel during electrokinetic remediation of nickel contaminated sediment with the goal to anticipate the time required for the removal of Ni. The results indicate very high efficiency of Ni removal during all three experiments. It can be explained by the fractions present, which can migrate more easily and those are subjected to the processes of electric migration, electric osmosis but also diffusion. In the interest of reducing the energy consumption together with the cost of remediation of the contaminated medium, the treatment in which solar-green energy has been applied, may be considered as the suitable solution for remediation of the sediment selected. The implemented mathematical model has indicated great congruence with the results of the experiment and can predict the time necessary for electrokinetic remediation of the nickel contaminated sediment.