Application of multilayer bed for removal of organic and inorganic compounds from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Permeable reactive barrier technology is an alternative method to conventional systems for pumping and treating contaminated groundwater. In contrast to existing applications, the use of reactive materials for the comprehensive removal of contaminants from post-processing water in deep installations is novel in this study. Investigations of post-processing water contaminants may concern areas of decommissioned landfills, post-industrial areas, post-mining areas. This paper presents the concept of using permeable reactive barriers to remove contaminants generated in the georeactor. Previous research has focused on single materials for selective removal of contaminants, i.e. activated carbon, zeolite and nanoiron. The experimental study was carried out on the example of water generated during the underground coal gasification process. The study showed that the combination of materials in sandwich form resulted in a significant improvement in the removal of compounds compared to using the materials separately. Activated carbon and zeolite together used effectively reduced organic contaminants, such as phenol (99 % phenol), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (100 % BTEX) and inorganic contaminants containing ionic compounds, such as cyanides (33 %) and metallic and non-metallic elements with toxic effects on the environment i.e. lead (83 %), zinc (77 %), copper (74 %), nickel (68 %), chromium (40 %) and cobalt (16 %) from post-processing water. A novelty in the presented work is the comprehensive, simultaneous removal of organic and inorganic contaminants on a multilayer reactive bed.