Electromagnetically Induced Transport for Soil/Groundwater Remediation

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of electromagnetic (EM) waves—with minimal heat generation—on transport mechanisms to improve soil/groundwater cleanup. This effect was experimentally examined for the transport of a nonreactive dye in water. The setup was tested at frequencies between 50 and 200 MHz. EM waves’ electric field component was numerically simulated and then validated against an experimentally measured electric field. Dielectrophoretic forces were then computed by using the simulated electric field data. The dye flow was observed to be in the same direction as the numerically simulated, dielectrophoretic forces. Recorded temperature variations within the medium showed similar trends (<1°C increase during EM stimulation) for all frequencies; however, only at the specific frequencies of 65 and 75 MHz was the dye flow controlled by EM waves. This observation suggests that EM waves—and not thermal effects—controlled the dye transport.